tire clearance

[Tod74]

How much room in general do you need to keep between the tire and the frame? My wheels have a 5 inch BS now and there is a 1/4 inch spacer behind it...there is about an inch or slightly less between the tire and frame rail...(32 x 14 stiff sw )
I didn't build the car...and you can see where the tire has rubbed the wheel tub at some point..but I don't know if that was with or without that spacer. The reason I ask is I am shopping for new wheels

[lively]

I WOULD KEEP AT LEAST 1 1/2 INCHES MINIMUM CLEARANCE :shock:I HAVE 2 INCHES ON MY RANCHERO BETWEEN THE SIDES --WITH TO CLOSE OF DISTANCE IF IT EVER GETS CROSSED UP IT COULD TAKE THE SIDEWALL OUT AND THE TERROR WOULD BEGIN :cry: :cry: :cry:

NO FUN AND VERY EXPENSIVE :twisted: :twisted:

[us7race]

Mine have never hit and were between 1/2"-1" from the frame..That was before I narrowed the frame.

[Tod74]

Mine have never hit and were between 1/2"-1" from the frame..That was before I narrowed the frame.

They are about an inch now with a 5" bs wheel. Need new wheels but can't afford aluma stars or magnums...The studs are set up for a wheel that is thick like a draglite...was thinking of getting some of those and the price is way better than the other wheels but they don't have a 5" BS ...was thinking of trying a 5 1/2 bs which would put it about a half inch from the frame...

the wheels on it now are either crager tricks or centerline autodrags not sure which...they are ugly.

[lively]

YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THAT IF THE SIDEWALL BULGES OUT UNDER A LOAD AND THAT SMALLEST DISTANCE IS IN THAT AREA-- YOU WILL MAKE CONTACT WITH THAT SIDEWALL AND EITHER CUT THE TIRE :cry: OR SCRAPE IT :oops: :cry: / WHICH CAN LEAVE A BRUISE AND CAUSE TIRE FAILURE LATER ON :shock: :shock: --I WOULD CHECK VERY CAREFULLY AFTER DRIVING THE CAR / SWERVING BACK AND FORTH AND TAKING OFF ON A HARD LAUNCH[ IF YOU SEE NOTHING SCRAPED -YOU MIGHT BE SAFE]---REMEMBER TO RACE SAFE SO YOU CAN RACE AGAIN

LIVELY

[Tod74]

YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THAT IF THE SIDEWALL BULGES OUT UNDER A LOAD AND THAT SMALLEST DISTANCE IS IN THAT AREA-- YOU WILL MAKE CONTACT WITH THAT SIDEWALL AND EITHER CUT THE TIRE :cry: OR SCRAPE IT :oops: :cry: / WHICH CAN LEAVE A BRUISE AND CAUSE TIRE FAILURE LATER ON :shock: :shock: --I WOULD CHECK VERY CAREFULLY AFTER DRIVING THE CAR / SWERVING BACK AND FORTH AND TAKING OFF ON A HARD LAUNCH[ IF YOU SEE NOTHING SCRAPED -YOU MIGHT BE SAFE]---REMEMBER TO RACE SAFE SO YOU CAN RACE AGAIN

LIVELY

I have never felt it rub the way it is .....I will probably just have to bight the bullet and buy some aluma stars or magnums...just don't want to have to put spacer in there if I can help it.


Thanks guys

[lively]

I HAVE RUN SPACERS BEFORE BUT HAD THE LONG STUDS INSTALLED--MOST NHRA INSPECTORS WON'T ALLOW THEM--WHY DON'T YOU ADVERTISE FOR SOME NICE USED RIMS?==SOMETIMES YOU JUST BUY USED AND HAVE TO CLEAN THEM UP REAL GOOD----IT IS WORTH THE SAVINGS AT TIMES!!!!!-----GO FOR IT :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Tod74]

I HAVE RUN SPACERS BEFORE BUT HAD THE LONG STUDS INSTALLED--MOST NHRA INSPECTORS WON'T ALLOW THEM--WHY DON'T YOU ADVERTISE FOR SOME NICE USED RIMS?==SOMETIMES YOU JUST BUY USED AND HAVE TO CLEAN THEM UP REAL GOOD----IT IS WORTH THE SAVINGS AT TIMES!!!!!-----GO FOR IT :lol: :lol: :lol:

it has 5/8 drive studs. Been watch'n ebay for some used ones.

[BEAST477]

If you need more clearance at the frame why not go with 4 1/2 inch BS or do you have clearance issues with rear quarters? Usually racejunk has quite a few ads with wheels with BS in that range for sale in the tire and wheel section. Hope that helps.

[Tod74]

If you need more clearance at the frame why not go with 4 1/2 inch BS or do you have clearance issues with rear quarters? Usually racejunk has quite a few ads with wheels with BS in that range for sale in the tire and wheel section. Hope that helps.

can't...will rub the quarters...tires barely fit the car. I think next set I will go a little smaller maybe

[gearhead1011]

What width rim are you using now? Usually there is a range of rim widths you can use on the same tire. You can check with the tire manufacturer to find out what they recommend. If you go to a slightly narrower wheel it will pull the sidewall bulge in and provide more clearence. It depends on what you use for rear suspension to determine how little clearence you can get by with, in most cases an inch is plenty and 3/4 is enough. If the suspension has a good track locater you can get by with less than say a leaf spring/slapper bar arrangement.

[Tod74]

What width rim are you using now? Usually there is a range of rim widths you can use on the same tire. You can check with the tire manufacturer to find out what they recommend. If you go to a slightly narrower wheel it will pull the sidewall bulge in and provide more clearence. It depends on what you use for rear suspension to determine how little clearence you can get by with, in most cases an inch is plenty and 3/4 is enough. If the suspension has a good track locater you can get by with less than say a leaf spring/slapper bar arrangement.

14 inch wheel. Tire is a 32 x 14 goodyear.

Suspension is a ladder bar /coil over, has the diagonal track bar.

[gearhead1011]

Goodyear's catalog says "acceptable application for rim width is tread plus or minus one inch". So a 13" wheel should give you a little extra clearence on the sidewall. I like a wishbone locater better but the diagonal link should keep it fairly steady. I think an inch should be enough.

[BEAST477]

Yeah what gearhead said. I did the same thing went from a 16 to a 15 inch wide rim with same BS I had before and gained clearance that way. Hope this helps.

[Tod74]

Yeah what gearhead said. I did the same thing went from a 16 to a 15 inch wide rim with same BS I had before and gained clearance that way. Hope this helps.

Does the 1 inch narrower rim change the height of the tire any noticeable amount? seems like it would if it pulls the sides in. The tires sort of crown in the middle on a 14 " rim. I will take some pics if I can get a clear shot. I am in no huge hurry to buy the wheels..just shopping. Trying to concentrate on getting it runing again as I took it apart last fall...just been waiting on the weather.

[gearhead1011]

Yeah what gearhead said. I did the same thing went from a 16 to a 15 inch wide rim with same BS I had before and gained clearance that way. Hope this helps.

Does the 1 inch narrower rim change the height of the tire any noticeable amount? seems like it would if it pulls the sides in. The tires sort of crown in the middle on a 14 " rim. I will take some pics if I can get a clear shot. I am in no huge hurry to buy the wheels..just shopping. Trying to concentrate on getting it runing again as I took it apart last fall...just been waiting on the weather.

Shouldn't change the height much if any at all. You might have to change the air pressure a little.