I have the thread started in the restoration section for this car. I have a set of 15x7 cop car rollers on it now.
The backspace on them is 4.5” and the tires are 235 60/15. They fit nice.

The thing is I want to run the stock 14” hubcaps. I found a 14x7 steelie with a 4” back space. I’d like to run 245 60-14 tires. They are close in size to the cop car set up on there now.

What size wheels and tires have you guys run on these cars?

Thanks

Wheel & Tire comparer

a '65 B-body is a big car with big wheel wells & a 245/60/14 tire is "SHORT"

factory OPTIONAL tire was 8.25-14 (modern equivalent would be ~215/80/14) ~27.6" tall
VS.
245/60/14 ~25.6" tall

a 225/70/14 would be a better solution at ~26.5" tall (BFG T/A 225/70/14 ~6.8" tread width VS BFG 245/60/14 ~8.2" tread width)

with the currently available 14" tires there is just no way to get a proper height and added width on an old car just be happy it's not an old C-body & you're trying to put OE sized 14" tires & wheels on

6bbl,

Thanks for taking the time to put up those great comparisons.

I was looking for width as much as anything over height. I did not know about the optional 8.25 tire only the 7.75, the car had G78-14s on it which, I believe, is the factory option size. I suppose if it was going to be a cross country cruiser I may want the taller tire but I think the furthest I may ever drive is from STL to Columbus.

We'll see, I'm still a quite a ways off from making a decision.

Thanks

Agreed, 225/70R14 - or in a 75 or even 78 section would look more accurate.
The older sizes were more like a 78.
Depending on height/width/wheel offset, check clearance at the front bottom corners of the fenders.
I've run 215/75s front, and 255/70 and 285/70 rears on 15s on early Bs; the 285s were a tight fit even with narrower rear axle.

you may be able to run your 14" wheel covers on your 15" wheels by finding a 15" trim ring that the wheel covers fit into.
i saw that trick used many years ago, but i don't remember much about it. the trim rings used were an aftermarket item, not factory rings.
just something to think about.

Hey Topside,


what backspacing were you running on the 15" rim to run that big of a tire on a 65 B body? I'm about to buy some steelies for the rear of my 65 belvedere and would like to get some decent size tires in the rear for traction at the track without mini-tubbing.

That was on my '63. rearend narrowed 1" each side from OEM spec, regular 15x8 Ramcharger steelies, 4.5 BS.
Springs were in stock location, ESPOs with +1" ride height.
Still a tight fit with 285/70s, a size which I think has been discontinued; 255/70s had plenty of room.

I think you have my old '65 Bel2, don't you?
White, gold int, 318 TF AC & guillotine PW...

you know what I think I do, I remember something about that...it's been painted and now I'm putting it back together with a 505 stroker

'Sorry, I was just doing some reviewing and saw your question. It's a 15" cop wheel. 7" wide with a 4.5" backspace.

Every single 15 x 7 factory stock police wheel that I have ever measured , have a 4 1/4 backspace.
Also the factory 15 x 8 Ramcharger wheels ( part 550 ) have a backspace of 4 1/4 also.
Aftermarket 15 x 8 steel wheels are usually set at 4 1/2 backspace.

Frank
The Wheel Guy