Russ67SCode - Question for You

[mbrunson427]

I've been trying to do a thorough google search for wheels/tires on my 68 Mustang. I'm trying to build this drag car fairly affordably (kind of a joke) and I really don't want to buy them twice. When i did a search, your car popped up on a different forum. Looks like you had some trouble and ended up ordering a different set of wheels. I'm wondering what you arrived at.

I don't mind rolling the fender well, that's honestly expected. Planning on buying the 1" raised Calvert monoleafs and running Calvert bars. Rear end will be the stock width 390/428 9" rear. Tire size: 275/60/15.

From my searching I've honed in on a 15x8 wheel with a 4.5" backspace, or a 15x9 wheel with a 5.5" backspace.

[rcodecj]

Not mbrunson427 but,

I have ran a 275/60/15 on an 8 inch rim with 5.5 back spacing. It cleared quite well.
I currently run a 275/60/15 on a 9 inch rim with 5.5 back spacing but I had to roll the outer fender a bit.
This on a 67 mustang.

[mbrunson427]

Show me a picture of that thing! That's good info. I've done a fair bit of searching and it's crazy how many opinions you get on this sort of thing. It's almost like asking what brand of oil is best.

Here's the car I'm working with. Chrome fender lip mouldings are going to be coming off I'm sure.

[rcodecj]

Here's some pics on Photobucket if it works:

http://s212.photobucket.com/user/laveennick/library/?sort=6&page=1

And a video on Utube using 10 inch rims with 5.5 back spacing and MT ET Street tires.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HztIgJymNw

[thatdarncat]

I'm not Russ either, but I have some experience. I've been racing my '67 Shelby for most of the 30+ years I've owned it and have used 3 different wheels in that time. I'm running drag slicks ( 28 x 9" or 29 x 9" ) though which can make a difference, even among different brands of slicks, so anything this close tolerance always has a chance of interference. Street tires with different sidewalls and tread area could effect fit too.  I've run old MotorWheel Spyders 15x8 with 4.5" backspace, then Bogart Drag-on-Fly Stars 15x8 with 5.0" backspace, and last year just bought new Weld S-71's that Weld lists as 15x9.3" with 5.5" backspace. All those have worked without rolling the fender lips. The Weld S-71's part number 71LP-509A55A are specifically listed for Mustangs & Cougars with that size, and I'm very happy with them. Common on stock eliminator drag cars to use 10" wide rims, but many have massaged the wheel wells slightly. Let us know what you settle on for wheels.

gif uploadercertificity.com

[rcodecj]

I did some massaging on the front inner wheel well and cut off some sort of bracket maybe an axle bump stop thing that stuck out towards the rim,
nothing that required and special tools.
I did buy the Eastwood wheel well roller and it was useless, did not work at all.

[rcodecj]

It also matters whether your rearend is centered or not, it isn't uncommon for the rearend to not be centered perfectly.
The rear in my 67 is centered perfectly.

[thatdarncat]

Thank you rcodecj for reminding me - yes I had to trim the outer edge of the bump stop too when I installed the new Weld wheels ( 9.3" with 5.5" backspace). I did not have to trim that with my Bogarts ( 8" with 5" backspace), but I would get the occasional rub mark on the inside of one slick. I intend to use these Weld S-71 wheels with my '67 Cougar when I get it done and I noticed the Cougar doesn't have the same clearance issue to the bump stop the Mustang does, just a FYI for any Cougar owners following this.

[mbrunson427]

Thanks guys for the great info. Guess I should have left this open ended, not just for Russ!

I've had my eye on the Bogarts that make for the new Cobra Jet cars. I believe they're the "GT" series. I'm going to see if I can talk him into machining in the "Cobra Jet" script. I also really like the Weld wheels that you posted up, those might just be the winner.