I want to put 15" Magnum 500 wheels on my 71 Comet GT with stock suspension. The only vendor I see on Ebay that has chrome (not polished aluminum) Magnums is Wheel Vintique, right? Their 7" wide Magnums has a 4.250 backspace & their 8" Magnums have a 4.50 backspace. I conclude from this website that I cannot use the 8" wheels unless I use a spacer, which I do not want to do. The question is: will the 7" wheels rub, especially up front? Now, what max size of tires should I use? Once again, after reading this website, I can use 225/60 up front and 255/60 in the back, right? Am I on target?
Summit Sells them. They will not rub on the front up to a 225/60-15. A 255 is too wide for a 7" wheel, and will rub the leaf spring and top of the inner fender well with the 4.25" backspace. I'd say 235 max to prevent rubbing, and 245 max for a 7" wheel.
I have 15 x 7 Magnums on the Maverick off my 70 Mach 1. They have 225/60/15 front and rears. Absolutely no problems what so ever. I would not go beyond a 235 on a 7 inch rim. A 235 is actually 9.25 inches wide and a 245 is over 9.5. You will reach a point where the larger tire will actually give you less performance. I have found the 225 to be adequate, but I do not road race either.
