Wheels and tires

Hi Guys:
I am the new owner (third owner) of a 1972 4 door. It has staright 6 with powerglide with 60,000 original miles on the clock. Car's tires are shredding apart in a way that I had to tow it although it runs pretty good. It has what I think stock green wheels (Car is light green). I like to put new wheels and tires on it but after reading few posts here, I am kind of confused about back spacing and offset. I like at leat 15 but preferably 16" wheels. What should be the with of the wheels and what tires do you suggest (for street).Thanks.
I'll take some pics as soon as I can.

Oh well!, Can sopmebody at least tell me about the stock wheels. I know ther 14 but are they 14X6 or 14X7? What is the back spacing and ofset on them? Or if there is anywhere like FAQ that I can find them. Thanks.

Hi, and welcome to Steve's!

Bigger is always better when it comes to wheels. :devil: I'm putting 18s on my Nova! Wheel spacing and offset are always a big pain.

You're stock wheels are more than likely the 14x6 skinnies (those were what was on my 69). Stock offset and BS... I have no clue.

When you upgrade, go to an 8" wide rim with a minimum of 15" diameter (like I said, bigger is better). They easily fit, fill out the wheel wells, and come in handy if you add more HP. I suggest that you go to a tire shop and see what they recommend for your car... then shop around on the internet/locally for the best price.

Personally, I bought a Percy's 'Wheel Rite' from Summit Racing. It's a plastic jig that bolts onto the hub of the car that mocks up a wheel and tire.

This picture should help you understand offset and BS better:

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/mustangtuning/tech-guide-offset.jpg

If you want to find out what your stock BS is, take the wheel off and measure. Simple as that! :) See pic:
http://images.mustangandfords.com/images/mufp_0612_02z+ford_mustang+wheel_backspace.jpg

Thanks a lot for info.

See this link from a F*rd Mushtang mag. It shows how to measure for custom wheel sizes. Yes... the concept is the same as on a Nova.

http://www.mustangandfords.com/techarticles/mufp_0612_ford_mustang_wheel_fitment/index.html

Thanks a lot for info.

No problem, NPHNP!

There have been lots of questions regarding wheels and tires on this site, so sometimes we get burnt out answering the same question over and over. :o But, wheels 'make' the car. Keep us posted with what brand of wheels you're thinking about and of course, let us know how they work!

Thanks again. I read at least few of the threads here. My undrestanding is the 4 to 4.5 back spacing is what is recommended but there was no mention about offset. I just don't want to have rubbing issues, also I am not looking to put huge tires, I was thinking about 225 and maybe 235 all around. I like 17 inch wheels but I am concern about their weight and also the cost of tires as well. I was looking at American racing Torq Trust but they just have 3 to 3.5 back spacing with some negative offfsets. I need to do this quick because I can't move the car due to shreded tires (Car is sitting in my buddy's yard) and I need to move it. Besides it is gona be my daily driver.

Thanks again. I read at least few of the threads here. My undrestanding is the 4 to 4.5 back spacing is what is recommended but there was no mention about offset. I just don't want to have rubbing issues, also I am not looking to put huge tires, I was thinking about 225 and maybe 235 all around. I like 17 inch wheels but I am concern about their weight and also the cost of tires as well. I was looking at American racing Torq Trust but they just have 3 to 3.5 back spacing with some negative offfsets. I need to do this quick because I can't move the car due to shreded tires (Car is sitting in my buddy's yard) and I need to move it. Besides it is gona be my daily driver.

My combo: front - 4.5" BS, 8" wide, 18" dia. with a 245/40 tire. Rear - still working on that one. Hope to have the rearend installed this weekend and take some measurements. I'm going to try to stuff a 9" wide rim under there (lots of HP :devil:) with a 255 to 275/40 series tire.

There are lots of people running TT wheels on their Novas. Try starting a new post with the title "Torq Thrust II wheel fitment on a 3rd Gen" or something like that. Be sure to let folks know that you're looking to run the same size wheels/tires on all 4 corners.

Have you begun to price tires? You'll be suprised to find that in most cases 17s are cheaper than 16s, and that there is a lot more brand selection in 17s.