Customs Backspacing on a 1951 Chevy passenger car rim

Hey guys, I am in the middle of pulling the trigger on some new white walls but I have a quick question. We are in the process of bagging my 51' Styleline and wanted to put basically the stock rims back on the car but they are in rough shape. So looking at purchasing some Smooth Steel wheels. The ones that I am seeing from either Coker or Summit are 3" Backspacing but I'm not sure what the stock backspacing is?? I think somewhere I read it was 3.5" ???? I need to make sure I order the right rims because I don't want an issue with my rear skirts. I will be putting on BF Goodrich 670-15 Bias Ply. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys

 

The Tru-spoke website has a measurement guide.

 

5" wide wheel with 3/8" offset, that makes it sound like about 3.5" back space, eh? You have to keep in mind that backspace is measured at the outside of the rim, while rim width is measured at the inside. so the total width of the rim is 6" (1/2" per side lip width).

 

Thanks guys. So does 3" backspacing sound correct then for aftermarket steel smoothies?? They don't have any 3.5" backspacing on those rims unless I'm missing something.

 

how wide are the rims you're looking at buying?

 

Ask the dealer/manufacturer if it's not published...they will know. And as Jim said, it's not only the backspace, but the new wheel width as well, AND the tire width on the new ones you're getting ready to pull the trigger on. How much clearance do you have now to your fender skirts? ***uming your new wheels' width AND tires are the same as your replacements, that 1/2" less in backspace will move your tire closer to the fender by that 1/2"
I just noticed you've only got 10 posts here, so I'll have to ***ume from your questions maybe you need a bit of explanation:
There are two common ways of measuring how your wheel will end up being positioned in or out: Offset as I understand is the distance from the mounting surface of the wheel to the center of the wheel. It is a method more popular in Europe. Most of us here use the backspace method as it gives direct measurements without additional calculations. Backspace is simply the distance from the outside surface of the back rim to the mounting surface where the wheel bolts to the axel flange/spindle. The more backspace a wheel has, the further in the tire is going to be towards the suspension/springs. To easily measure backspace, simply run a straightedge across the backside of the wheel, and use a ruler/measuring tape to measure from the straightedge down to the mounting surface.

 

The new wheels are going to be 15x5

 

The new wheels should be out about 3/8" inch from where the stock ones were. So, like he says, depending on how wide the tire bulges are, they may clear fine, or might possibly rub if you lower the car a lot (which is what you plan on, since you're baggin it)

Only way to know for sure is to give it a try, or find someone else who has the exact setup you are planning, and see how much room it has for the tires, or do your own looking and measuring inside the wheelwells.

 

....I have a 51 chevy oem rim and the back space is 3 5/8 inch.....miller

 

Thanks guys...