'64-'65 rear wheel size...
 

You guys with tire/wheel knowledge on '64 to '65 Chevelles...

My '65 currently has 15 x7 cragar super stars with a 3.5 inch backspace and I only have 215 60/15's on the rears now. If I get a set of 15x8's with a 5.5 backspace, could I run a 255 60/15 on it and still have inner frame rail clearance between the frame and tire? Cragar quit making the wheel (apparently) but summit has them available in that size for $160 each. Bottom line, I want to run a 255 drag raidial on the rear if I can make it fit.

Thanks for your input! Greg

a 15x8 with a 5" backspacing will fit up to a 275/60/15 but there is some triming involved. With a 5.5" backspacing you might have ato run a 1/2" spacer to push the wheel out a bit as it may come into contact with the shock mount. Those tires will fit but dont know 100% that you will need the spacer or not. I had 15x8 rallys on one of my old 65 SS ars and it had 275/60/15`s on it and I had to unbolt the lower shock mount and drop the shocks so the rearend would drop enough to pull the wheels/tires off. They looked really close to the shock mounts and dont know if 5.5" backspacing will clear.