What kind of tires

I have a 70 nova with stock rear wheel wells.I have a 15x8 wheel with 5 inch backspacing.And I have air shocks.What is the most widest 26 inch tall tire I can fit in the rear fender well with no mods.Is air shocks bigger than normal shocks.

Typically a 255/60/15 fits that application. I would put the wheel on with a jack under the axle to bring it to right height. See how much room you have at that point. Tire manufactuers publish the dimensions of their tires online.


Edit: I think the 255 might be 27 inch.... check it out.

The only thing I'd question would be if you'll get some rubbing with your air shocks... My dad took a pair of his '70, and they were about 1.5" larger in diameter on the top half than my KYB's. They probably would have rubbed with my 235/60/14's with 3.5" backspacing on my '72.

I'd dump 'em in possible--there's no use for 'em unless you plan to haul heavy loads in your trunk, often! Otherwise they're just a bandaid for poor, saggy suspension.

Otherwise, do exactly as outlined above so see how much clearance you've got on each side, and look up the tire size info online for the biggest you can fit.

Whould 275/50/15's fit with 3/8 wheel spacers fit with normal shocks instead of air shocks without any mods.

Whould 275/50/15's fit with 3/8 wheel spacers fit with normal shocks instead of air shocks without any mods.

I think they would rub, and the wheel spacers would only make it worse. 255/60s should be a good fit with those wheels and no rub. Its possible 275/60s would fit but it would be tight.

but 15x8 with 5 inch backspace would not rub on stock shocks and 255/60's?

The reason I put spacers on is to get my current tire off the shock.The tire I have now is a 235/60/15.I don't know if there is difference but the 275/50/15 is a drag raidal any my current tire is a normal street tire.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/marydoright/nova-1.jpg i had 295/50-15 on the back with 4.5 bs no spacers and regular red rider shocks and had no rub problems in 14 years, only thing i had to do is notch out the wheel lip. these tires are 11.5 wide on an 8 inch wheel.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/marydoright/nova-1.jpg i had 295/50-15 on the back with 4.5 bs no spacers and regular red rider shocks and had no rub problems in 14 years, only thing i had to do is notch out the wheel lip. these tires are 11.5 wide on an 8 inch wheel.

How much room was there between the inner tire to the shock.

1/2 inch between the sidewall and shock

great thanks.I have one more question.What is the difference between a 275/50/15 and a 295/50/15.The reason for all the questions is that I can trade a 750 holly carb for a slitly used set of drag radials and he has too sets of them and I what to get as much meat under there as possible without out cutting the car up.

about 1 inch wide 275 vs 295 and 275/50 is around 26 tall 295/50 is 26.7 tall

If I were you, I'd make the DIY backspacing tool before I committed to that size tire. There's a thread on here for it. It's basically some angle iron that has a ruler type device through it that attaches to your rear brake assembly.

Because there were so many variations from the factory pertaining to wheel well size, no one can give you a definite answer. I'd say 295's are too large without modifying the well, but as you can see, it has been done before.

Good luck.

Vince

Here is some BFG TA tire sizes.. http://www.rustpuppy.org/bfg.html

I'll figure it out.Thanks:)

Air shocks are horrible. I used them before and will never use them again. The ride absolutely sucks. I could give you a list of issues I had using them. Save yourself now and rethink it.

I'm running ET Street 26 10.5 15's on 8.5" wheels with 5" backspace and have plenty of room for comfort. I also run Comp Engineering 3 way shocks on the rear. I have my lip cut out of my fender though thats no big deal IMO.

Here is a couple of pics of my tires from the rear.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/monk75/Nova5.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/monk75/Nova2.jpg

Difference between 275/50/15's vs. 295/50/15's...
Heres a tip...the first number (275) is the width of the tire in millimeters. The second number (50) is the aspect ratio...in other words, the sidewall in this case would be 50% as high as the tire is wide (so half of 275mm). The third is, obviously, the wheel diameter.

This is the general rule, though some tire manufacturers will fudge a little. Wheel width can also have an affect and how the tire's actual size turns out.


Do I think you can fit a 295 without mods? No... At least, it definitely would NOT on my stock '72 wheel wells. Beyond that, I really don't think 275's would either--it's be close, but would probably rub on bigger bumps.

With the right backspacing, and moving your shocks to the inside, 275's would be easy, and 295's might be possible. Relocating shocks inboard is a simple task, and cheap if you have some square tubing floating around the shop.

I do agree you should make yourself a DIY backspace guauge, as each of these old cars vary slightly. What works for one might not work for another.
Also keep in mind that it's not uncommon for the rear ends of these nova's to be off-center 3/4" to a full inch. This could pose a problem with rubbing on one side, but not the other.

If it does not rain I am going to drive the nova up to the guys shop and mount the drag radials on my wheels and see if they fit.He also has a set of 275/60/15 that I am going to try out.I hope I can get them 275/50/15 on there.I will let you know what happens.