70 SS Rear Tire Size?

[GS41945]

Ok, I'm a "Newbie"! I just jumped back into the muscle car scene after being absent 25 years - what a change!

Just picked up a 70 SS454 El Camino and considering rear tire options. I want to run the widest tires I can on the front/rear while keeping rally wheels. I am not opposed to having my rallys custom made either.

So, does anybody know what the largest size tire/rim I can fit on the front/rear of a 70 El Camino?

Somebody told me that he was running 275/50 R15's on the rear with a 15x10 wheel with 6" backspacing. Sounds a little large to me, but if it can be done without cutting up the wheel wells I'm all for it!

Any and all advice would be sincerely appreciated! Thanks!

Search is your friend
http://www.elcaminocentral.com/showt...t=biggest+tire
http://www.elcaminocentral.com/showt...t=biggest+tire

[65 ELKY]

to ECC. With a 70 I think with the wide rear wells you maybe able to fit up to 295. I will do some searching and see if I can find a for sure answer.

[rtabish]

i suspect that you would have a variety of options based on how much you are willing to modify. assuming you don't want to alter sheet metal, you still have the option of raising your suspension. "jacking up" your car...in the tried and true fashion of the 70s, will let you install some pretty big "meats" [to use the vernacular of the time]. if you prefer to maintain stock or near stock ride height, you will still be able to run 50s....maybe up to 245, maybe 255, with standard offset wheels.
are you going for looks or are you actually wanting better traction?

[dabayelco]

my 70 has the original rally wheels and im running 265/50/r15

[FL Kymino]

My 71 has 275 and will rub on a hard corner unless the airshocks are pumped a little.

[mnunn]

Originally Posted by GS41945

Ok, I'm a "Newbie"! I just jumped back into the muscle car scene after being absent 25 years - what a change!

Just picked up a 70 SS454 El Camino and considering rear tire options. I want to run the widest tires I can on the front/rear while keeping rally wheels. I am not opposed to having my rallys custom made either.

So, does anybody know what the largest size tire/rim I can fit on the front/rear of a 70 El Camino?

Somebody told me that he was running 275/50 R15's on the rear with a 15x10 wheel with 6" backspacing. Sounds a little large to me, but if it can be done without cutting up the wheel wells I'm all for it!

Any and all advice would be sincerely appreciated! Thanks!

Seems we have a few things in common....70 Elky (Check), 454 (Check), returning to the car scene after 25 years (Check) and a need for more traction (Check, Check, Check!)

275-50-15 M/T ET Street radials on 10 inch wide rims will fit fine, but you'll need to carefully measure the back spacing. I chose 5-3/8" b/s and it was a tad too much (Rims rubbed the lower shock mount bolts on my 12-bolt axle). Had I ordered 5" or even 5-1/4" b/s I think I'd have been fine. Also, I'm running aftermarket chrome trim on my wheel wells. Had to trim it back in places, but not the wheel wells themselves.

Up front I'm running 235-60-15s on 8" wide rims with normal backspacing and have no fitment problems at all, even with the nose lowered 2".

There are a few websites that have a wheel sizing questionnaire you can download/print out. Using one will help you organize your measurements.

Welcome to the 3rd Gen BBC group and to ECC as a community. When you feel like writing, let's hear some more about the car and how/why you chose it.

[El Diablo]

I own a 73 & I have 295's on the rear.

[Muroc]

71 with 285/40/18 on 10x18"

[GS41945]

Thanks for the advice guys. I finally settled on BFG T/A 295-50-15's on a 15x10 Rally with 5.5 inch backspacing. It fit perfectly although they were a bitch to find! Looks pretty damn good too!

Now my question is, what is the largest I can put on the front using a stock 15x8 corvette rally. Any prayer of fitting a 275-50-15??? 245-60-15's ??

Also, I have 4 BGF T/A 275-60-15's that are like new for sale - anybody interested?

Thanks again!

[rtabish]

where are you at, and what $$$?.....you can see where i am.

[GS41945]

Rob,

I am located in Western Washington State. I would like to get $60.00 ea. + shipping for the tires. They really are in great shape! Thanks, John (425) 870-3892