Technical 275/60-15 on a 1963.5 Galaxie

Guys, I know I've seen this done before. I have a 63.5 Galaxie with 15x8.5" Torq Thrust D wheels. They are 4" backspacing and I have 275/60 Cooper Cobra tires. When I get them under the car I can't get my finger between the outside of the tire and the inner fender. I have about an inch and a half on the inside between the tire and the leaf spring.

So for all the guys who've done this on a 60-64 Galaxie how do you do it? Will a 4.5" backspacing give me enough room? I know I could go to a 255/70 tire but I like the way these look and I've seen them on other cars. The car has fresh paint so I wont be modifying the inner fender and I'd really hate to have to narrow the rear axle. Thanks in advance!

 

You could have the inside mounting face of the wheel turned off about a 1/4". That is if youi don't want to buy wheels with a different offset.

 

I never thought of that. I can take a look and see how much material is there to remove on the wheels I have. I hate the machine a new set of wheels but they don't do me much good as is.

 

Nobody out there has done this? I hate to buy another set of wheels without someone who has done it chimes in.

 

compressing the inner fender, if done carefully, should not affect the paint - Eastwood, maybe others, sell a inner fender rolling tool. could go to shop that did paint and ask for their help. I have the same type of problem on a OT '67 Fairlane Ranchero but, it has fenderwell trim that does not allow for this modification. So have to run a 70 series tire that barely clears. on Hot Rod '55 Chevy used a fairly thin piece of wood on outside and a pair of welder type vice gripes to do the job - others have rolled a baseball bat between fender and tire. finding wheels with correct offset can be expensive. most machine shops not interested in turning mag rims.

 

If you already checked this, disregard, but have you bolted the drivers side wheel on as well? It's not at all unusual for clearances to be slightly different on either side. Just don't want you to waste time or money with another wheel or tire if you have different issues on the other side.

 

Do a hat trick on it. Jack it up so you can turn the tire then get a ball bat and roll it though the wheel well with the tire.

 

I had a steelie with the same tire but with an 8" rim I tried on the drivers side, same backspacing, and it appears to have the same amount of clearance. Good suggestion though. I should try my Torq Thrust on that side just to make sure everything is centered.

 

It's not the fender lip thats the issue. It's the inner fender itself. It tapers in as the quarter panel goes up.

 

A ball peen may be your friend on that one. or a little more back space. If you got a half inch on the inside you may gain enough by splitting the difference.

 

I have about an inch and a half on the inside. The car has fresh black paint and the wheel houses are way too nice for me to want to deforem them.

 

now you understand why many muscle cars from the 60's are raised up - front & rear tire clearance

 

That was suggested to me by a friend! There will be no air shocks on the back of this car!

 

what size were the tires that were on the car?

 

My '63.5 Galaxie received a large bolt 9" rear out of a '58 Ranchero. American Torq Thrusts 15 X 8.5" also, but ran 2.75/70s.
I beefed the rear springs, was approx. 1" higher than yours in back...(added 1 5/16" thick second leaf each side)
Rear axle housing narrowed tread 2", so everything fit nicely. (Station wagon front coils gave it a 'proud stance', with some rake still...)

 

I get them to fit mine nicely with 4.5 backspaced 8 inch wide wheels. I have even had 295x50 tires on my 64.

 

My car had stock 14s on it when I got it. Thanks barstowpo! Did you have those on a 63.5 or other 60-64 Ford product?

 

sounds like you need to find out if older Torque Thrust wheels came with deeper back space and then find a pair to buy, or if new copies are available with needed offset. since it does not sound like you will not be doing min-tubs, etc. can raise rear with overload coils shocks or just reverse shackles like done in the 60's.

 

Alright guys I think I got it! The front of the car needs to come down some more and we'll see how close the rear tires get to the outside of the fender with a full interior and a loaded car. I ended up with 15x8 Torq Thrusts with a 4.5" backspacing and using the 275/60 tires. There's ample room now but I wouldn't take a corner at 90MPH. The fronts are 15x7 with 215/70 tires. Thanks again for everyone's input! I'll get some better pics when the snow melts.

 

When the snow melts!??! Say it ain't so.