so this is my 54 merc that I’m trying to order wheels for and I’m wondering should I wait to get the 15x6 wheels that aren’t available yet or would 15x7 fit , and btw I have g78 tires I’m using and also plan to lower the back more so my gut says wait for the 6’s but was wondering who has experience and knows for sure what will fit. Thanks Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
My Coker tire catalog says the recommended wheel width is 6-8 inches wide. Oh yeah, I moved this thread to the main board. The question and suggestion section is for questions about the forum itself
If memory serves right there is't a lot of extra room in those rear wheelwells. I'd think a 7 inch rim will work with that tire though. Unless the 7 inch has a lot of reverse to it. A ball park figure can be had by measuring the tire to inside the fender (where it might rub) with the tire and wheel you have now and then pull the tire off and measure the backspacing or if the spare matches measure the backspacing on the spare and figure out what the difference in offset will be if any. That might not be exact but it should be close enough to make a decision.
Yes makes sense thanks , my only concern is because it’s getting lowered more then what it is now Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Not to be a smart ***, but can't you get some measurements with the wheels that are on it? You'll see what you can/cant do...... And slam it first with what you have- makes things more clear when it's time for new hoops.
Mid-50s Ford products are usually pretty tight in the rear wheelwells. My experience is a 15x6 can be tough depending on the tire size, and 15x7 nearly impossible. Like was said, carefully measure what you have before buying....
I probably could but since I have to take out the lowering blocks just to take off the wheel I was just hoping to do it all together and not a few times is all Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I’ll agree here...my 54 was tight as all get out with stock rims and a little bigger meats. My friends 54 with 6” is not fun to change tires on with his 3” blocks and de arched springs..
So another stupid question then , what is the width on the oe wheels 5 or 6” I cannot find out and my tired are mounted so I can’t measure Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I agree with several above that said it's super hard to get a wheel and tire under these cars, especially lowered, and 7" wide is going to be too wide, even with the perfect offset. My '52 and '53 are both lowered with pretty damn narrow wheels and it's tight in there in both of them. One suggestion I've heard and I plan to do is to run air shocks on the back of these cars, on individual Schraeder valves, so you can let one down and push one up, for more clearance when changing tires, basically use the air shock like a jack between the axle and frame, then jack under the axle, to get the wheels off. I have to let the air out of my tires to get the wheels off now, and I think I'm running the original rims which are like 5.5" wide. You'll be disappointed if you get the 7's unless you plan to raise or radius the rear wheel openings.
Yes your right I’ve read tons of stuff on these cars and the pain they cause after being lowered but I’ve never seen much input on wheel tire sizes but I figured I would be needing the 6” wheels just wanted some input from experience so thanks for the reply Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I have a 4'' block in my 50. Just jack up the rear, and put stands on the frame, and let the rear down. Enough to pull a tire.....6.70x15 squared...... But- I'm using the stock wheels. Probably a buzz kill, and not what your after. I was more concerned with the tire, and not rim width. If you have the stockers on- you can still get a backspace #, as well as outside tire to inner fender lip. Maybe no help here.........
IIRC, the stock rims are only 5" wide. I used a later set (early '70s) of OEM Ford 15X6 wheels on a '56 Ford with 235/75R tires and the rears would s****e lightly cornering or heavily on angled driveways, both on the inside and outside of the tire. 'Back in the day' I used an aftermarket set of 15x6 chrome reversed wheels on another '56 and I had to roll the rear fender lip to get the tires in, and they still s****ed. Admittedly the 235/75R tires were oversize, although their diameter matched the OEM spare that came with the car. The problem these days is unless you buy a 'reproduction' tire, almost all modern tires will be too wide for their diameter. What you really need is a tire with a 85 or 90 aspect ratio, and these just aren't made in sizes for these cars anymore except from specialty makers. If looking at 'off the shelf' tires, a 225/75R should fit on a non-reversed rim, a 215/75R will definitely fit. Neither will quite match the OEM diameter, but will be close... One more thing to keep in mind; tire sizes between tire manufactures (and even different lines from the same maker) can vary in actual size by as much as 3/4" even if the same listed size. I've ran into this problem personally; fitted the largest tire I could that didn't hit from brand x, went to replace with 'same' size tires from brand y and now had clearance issues...
I found I didn't have much room under my 55 so I used a pair of 49 ford car 16" rims [I think they're 5"] and an 80s pickup radial tire...The tall tire helped with the low gear ratio.
I plan to still run my g78 bias plys which should be fine I don’t think they bulge out like radials do Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Here are some charts to help you with the measurements in case you order some aftermarket wheels. Be sure to measure carefully 'cause if you paint, powder-coat or even mount tires, you own them.
Nothing wrong with them other then I want chrome wheels on it Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Yes correct and the Coker chart says that tire is used for 5.5” to 7” but only has a 6” tread width on it Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I’ve been torn between those and supremes but I’m thinking I’m going with supremes Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
It doesn’t appear they have the correct bolt pattern since mine is 5x4.5 and I can’t get the backspace I need for supremes so I’m not sure what I’m going to do Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I have vintique wheels on my corvette 15x5 w 6.70-15’s Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I like Supremes but I'm definitely liking the chrome steel wheels for your Merc over the Supreme wheels. My '52 has the Mooneyes full spider hubcaps on it, kinda the cheap way out but it gave me a similar effect.
Sweet 52 , I’ve wanted supremes on it since I bought the car but I’m starting to go the other direction now. I have flaked and candied the roof since that last pic of my car but either wheel will work with the style I’m going for Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
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