How much room do slicks need?

[65er]

Looking at getting some slicks for the Galaxie and I want to fill up the wells pretty good.  I'm guessing I can do with a little less side clearance since it won't be taking any corners at speed on the slicks, but how close is too close?  Also I'm wanting to go as tall I safely can but the front edge of the wheelwell is limiting me quite a bit.  I've got oil-filled nylon suspension bushings, which are pretty dang solid so I don't expect the rear end to flex forward much on launch but I don't know how much the slicks might grow at speed.  Top speed might be 110, maybe even 120 eventually if I get every detail sorted out.  I'll get gears to suit so I'm thinking the more tire I can stuff under there the better.  Looks like a tire with 11.25 section width and 28" tall will leave me about 1" in front of the tire and somewhere around 1/2" on the sidewalls.

Also just for fun, you can predict what's going to break when I hammer it, lol  Here's what we're looking at:

4000 lb Galaxie (plus 190lb driver)
Triangulated 4 link rear end, hard suspension bushings
BP Stroker dynoed at 544HP, 605 TQ
TKO 600
McLeod dual friction clutch, 30lb flywheel
4" aluminum driveshaft
1330 U-joints
Strange S-case with Daytona pinion support
Moser 31 spline axles

Slicks and gear ratio to be determined.

[jayb]

Wade, I would make sure you have at least an inch, front and rear, to allow for the slicks to grow in diameter at speed.  I think 1/2" on the sidewalls ought to be OK, but remember that you will run the slicks at a fairly low pressure, and that may increase the tire section width.  A lot of guys bolt on their slicks and then find out they've got to roll their inner fender lips...

[cjshaker]

Those are pretty much the exact clearances I have with my M/T ET Streets (Bias ply) on my Mach and I haven't had any trouble with rubbing. I'm not sure how a squatting tire will affect the section width at the top though. I always thought the rubbing issue was from the car squatting or bouncing on road dips, not the tire.

If the TKO and clutch holds up, I'd guess the 1330 U-joints will be the first to go. 4000lbs is a lot of weight to get moving with a manual.