66 Sedan 12 Bolt rear width...wheel width questions.

Hello guys,

I have a 12 bolt set up for leaf springs. I believe it is an impala rear. I want to have this cut down for my dad's car to a good overall length. Here are my questions: What is a stock 66 nova 12 bolt width, from backing plate to backing plate? Can I fit an 8" wide wheel on the back of a 66 at stock width? If so, what backspacing should I get on the wheels? I really do not want to mini-tub this car. Also, at what measurement should the spring perches be mounted? I will be installing a TCI rear subframe clip if that matters at all. I appreciate any and all help. Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas to my dad! I think he'll like this.:shh:

It's not an Impala rear that you have. Impala's were not leaf spring cars. It's probobly either a later Nova, or Camaro. the width of a Nova from axle flange to axles flange is 58 1/4" I beleive. not sure what the housing measurement is, probobly 53" inches or so. 8" wheels will be very tight, even with the max amoutn of backspace. 7" wheels are easier to deal with. if you're going to a TCI kit, you don't need any leaf spring pads on the rear since the TCI is a 4-link set up.

Someone will chime in if I said anything that's not correct, or if they now some more info.

Good luck.

I can't remember what mine measure WMS to WMS but I can tell you this. I run a TCI 4 link rear with the stock 12 bolt in my '66. I have Boyd Junkyard Dawgs, 17 X 8 on the rear with 5" of back space. I fit a 255/40/17 back there with clearance on both side of the tire. I can fit my hand between the fender and tire and the inside frame and tire.

Hope that helps.

Ken

Thanks for the great info guys. What I have is an 8" set of Radir Piecrust Cheater Slicks. I want to get a set of 15" x 8" steel wheels made from someone like Stockon wheel so I can run dogdish caps. I wanted to base this on a stock width rear if at all possible. I will check the overall width and height of the tires used on the 17" boyd's and compare them to the overall height and width of the cheater slicks that I have as well. Any other info is greatly appreciated.:beer:

The tires are 8.20-15". The overal height is 29". The section width is 11". The tread width is 8.5". Radir recommends a 15 x 6 up to 15 x 10 wheel. I may be able to get away with a 15 x 7 with a good offset. Does anyone know of a GM wheel that is a 15 X 7 steel wheel that should work?

I don't know that an 11" section width is going to fit...what is the available space you currently have between the fender lip and inner side of the fenderwell? It should be easy to figure out what will work & backspace required to center the wheel & tire in the wheelwell. As far as the diameter goes, the place that usually causes the problem is not the fender lip but up inside the wheelwell, towards the front. Too much diameter and you will have to jack it way up in the back to clear...which really looks silly.

Thanks Mike. Let me ask this. A minitub and the right backspacing should do the job right? I really want these tires to pull off the look. Can anyone recommend a good place to get steel minitubs for a 66?

I think height on my 17's is a hair over 25", so pretty short.

You might want to reconsider a slick closer to 28".

The 5" b/s works well for me, and like I mentioned, I have room on either side of the tire. I believe section width on mine is right at 10". Given that, adding a 1/2" on either side would make for a tight fit, but might be doable.

IIRC, I measured the frame to fender lip distance and it was just over 11". You're gonna be tight and your spacing is gonna have to be dead on.

Ken, thank you for the great info. I guess I will be minitubbing for sure. If any of you know where to get minitubs for a 66, please let me know.
Thanks

It sounds like you're going for a 60's look--If you get the car sitting up high enough, I would think that tire would work.
If you get real serious, bring it out here to So.Cal, and Dale and I will toss a straight axle under it to complete the look! How about an altered wheelbase like our Dart project? (see pix at my site: bowtie0069.fotki.com) scroll down near bottom of page to funnycarfarm project.

It sounds like you're going for a 60's look--If you get the car sitting up high enough, I would think that tire would work.
If you get real serious, bring it out here to So.Cal, and Dale and I will toss a straight axle under it to complete the look! How about an altered wheelbase like our Dart project? (see pix at my site: bowtie0069.fotki.com) scroll down near bottom of page to funnycarfarm project.
That is absolutely awesome. I love nostalgic cars. I was born in the wrong era. I would have had 30 gassers by now if it were up to me. I think my dad's sedan would look great with a straight acle under it. He had even mentioned before that he loves the look. I think he is wanting a little more handling than that will allow. I love the dart project man. If I were in So. Cal., I would be a pain in your rear trying to hang out and learn the ropes on the nostalgic drag cars. Thanks for the post, I can't wait to show my dad your car.:beer:

Thanks for the post, I can't wait to show my dad your car

Well, it's actually Steve Magnante's Dart, Dale(teddisnoke) did 99 and 44/100 percent of the work, and I try and figure out how to work the cameras!!

Here's a shot I took of one of my favorites:
http://images16.fotki.com/v3/photos/4/42437/3376330/augie-vi.jpg

And another one that Dale and I have worked on:
http://images15.fotki.com/v168/photos/4/42437/457193/shaker2-vi.jpg

Great work. I remember the write up on the shaker. That is one awesome car. I tried to talk my dad into a stright axle last night, but I don't think he wants it right now. Depending on what I buy for myself next, there is a good chance that it will get a straight axle.

Anyone else? What is the measurement from the backing plate to backing plate on a 66 12 bolt rear?

Rich,

I looked around and found that the '66 is 57 3/4" wide from WMS to WMS and 50 3/4" from backing plate to backing plate. I can verify this with a tape on mine, but I am 98% sure that's correct.

Ken

Rich,

I looked around and found that the '66 is 57 3/4" wide from WMS to WMS and 50 3/4" from backing plate to backing plate. I can verify this with a tape on mine, but I am 98% sure that's correct.

Ken

Thanks Ken. I really appreciate your help.