Buick Brake clearance???

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I am in the process of ordering the wheels and tires for my 34’ coupe. I have decided on 550-16 front and 750-16 BF Goodrich coker. I plan to run series 14 geenie steel wheels. I have searched this topic pretty extensivelly and have found a lot of great info on the conversion but I still have a couple of questions. I plan to run the pre-machined hub from wilsons welding but I need to know if there is a particular back spacing required for the wheel to fit the large buick 45 finned drum. I have heard some wheels ID will not fit the drum. Also, I would like the tips of the fins exposed but I don’t want to see more than 1-1 3/4 inch or so… should I go with a 15” rim in the front to tuck the drum in farther?? Clearance issues?? Thanks,
Mark

 

I run 15X5 style 14 wheels on buick drums and wilson cast backing plates and have no clearance problems , bolt on steering arms hit the fins on backing plate and had to be fitted to clear arms, that was only adjustment needed...

 

Sounds like I shouldn&#8217;t have any clearance concerns with 16&#8221; then if yours fit on 15&#8221;. Anybody have any pictures of Buick brake drums on 16&#8221; wheels? I would like to see how much is exposed. I&#8217;d like to stick with 16&#8221; wheels but will change to 15&#8221; if the drums are overwhelming on the 16&#8221; wheels.

 

With 15" steel wheels the maximum back space that works is about 3-1/8". That leaves just the outer part of the fins showing. As you decrease back space more fin will show.

Charlie