Hi gang! I have a ‘64 Biscayne wagon that currently has 17 inch torque thrusts, and I’d like to run 15 inch steel wheels instead. It has disc brakes front and rear, and I’m unsure of what kit or parts were used. I’d like to know if the stock ‘64 steel wheels will work with disc brakes or if I’ll need a custom offset/backspacing. Would stock 15 inch steel wheels work? If I need a custom offset/backspacing…any idea what size? Thanks!
Here is a crude sketch of why a stock wheel won't fit. To fit disc brakes they opened up the bell in the back of the rim and narrowed the drop center. You can use the wheels on the car to figure out what it needs. If the diameter is OK, you are done with that. If you want/need to go smaller, measure the space between the rim and the caliper. Every rim diameter smaller you go will reduce that space by 1/2". If the wheels on the car aren't hitting or rubbing anywhere, you've got a good starting point for rim width and backspacing.
Ok, I'll try to drag it out of you. How large are the discs? Some OEM setup? Example: Chevelle/GTO stock disc brakes came on cars with 14'' steel wheels. Sixth generation Corvette brakes are also a popular swap. No 14'' wheel has any chance of fitting. What setup do you actually have???
I’m not sure what they are. They were on the car when I bought it. I’m trying to research it and find out…but as of now I’m not sure. The swap was done about 10ish years ago. I think it was a kit using OEM parts. But again, I have no idea. I have attached a pic…not a great one but a pic none the less.
1970s full size Chevys had factory disk brakes and 15" wheels. I'd look for steel wheels from that era, if your existing disk brake setup isn't huge they'll probably work.
Full size Chevys from the early 70's to 76 had a 5x5 bolt pattern. The 77 & up down sized, full size sedans had the 5x4.75 bolt pattern. The station wagons kept the 5x5 pattern. Can't say for the other full size GM lines. The 70's & 80's RWD Malibu and Nova and their clones along with Camaro & Firebird had 5x4.75 bolt patterns. Also S-10 & Sonoma. Generally speaking, but not always, a 15" rim will clear a 12" and down rotor and a 14" rim will clear an 11" and down rotor.
This looks pretty OEM to me. In your original post, you were asking about the stock wheels (14'') and also if 15'' wheels would fit. Are you planning to use the stock hub caps? There are limited sizes of 14'' tires available these days. You'll probably find more selection in 15s. Really solid wagon, what look are you going for?
Also, stock 15” steel wheels will be a huge improvement in the look of your car! Good decision! And, it hasn’t been mentioned yet, but I would think that most aftermarket OE type wheels would clear the disks if they are factory disks. I know many of us have lots of junk wheels laying around but some folks would rather just buy new from Summit or Wheel Vintiques or something. Stock 15” wheels aren’t as easy to come by in salvage yards as they used to be.
That's what I get for assuming...I knew Pontiacs in those years had a 5x5 pattern (like Pontiac always had) but assumed Chevy had kept the 5x4.75 pattern they used previously. The 1977 and newer wheels are probably easier to find anyway.
No pics show up for me in this thread, not sure if there should be photos. Most front disc kits for the 58-64 Chev cars move the front wheels out. Depending on the kit, this could be 3/4" or even more. Your best bet is to measure the wheels you have and compare where you want the new wheels to sit in the fenderwell. Same, in, or out. I ordered the original offset kit which uses a separate hub from the brake rotor. If your bearings are inside the rotor, your wheels have moved out from stock 64. As for what wheels will fit, you need to measure disc diameter right out to the caliper. Brake kits for thse cars use all kinds of different OEM parts, so what will fit is variable. Many kits are made for 15" disc brake wheels. I don't know of a kit that fits the stock 14" drum brake wheels. As has been said, the easiest will be to go with an OEM style wheel from Wheel Vintiques or Wheelsmith, etc. But you need to do some measurements and investigation to figure out how you want the new wheels to fit and what will fit with the brakes you have.
Guessing the pics went away since they were of 17" Torq Thrust II's on the car. Once the steel wheels are on it, he can show pics.
Your best bet is to call Wheelsmith 951-898-4563. They will talk you through all the measurements and are pretty patient Guy’s. I have bought wheels in the past from both Wheel Vintiques and Wheelsmith and from my experience, Wheelsmith puts out a better/truer product. Good Luck!
@Slick Steve I ran 15" Chevy rally wheels (Monte Carlo, etc.) on my '63 wagon. Cleared everything, even lowered. Then, I snapped on some Caddy caps to hide them.
Yeah, I had the stock drums, but unless the disc changeover pushed the wheels out a lot, I think it would be OK.
Yeah, and we don't know the diameter of his brakes. Monte Carlo, S10 Blazer, even Caprice wheels of the right era would work if his brakes work with 15" disc brake wheels. I haven't seen the photos so I don't know what the dude is working with.
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