Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

I have a 68 SS 350 and want to do Day 2 wheels. Currently have 14x6 Torq Thrust D's on 215/70 redlines. But want a fatter Day 2 look. Thinking of 15x7 and 235/60/15's. Considered Cragar SS, 69 factory SS wheels (15"), steel with dog dish, Rally with flat Disc Brake caps, etc.

Suggestions would be appreciated.

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/use...9-dsc_0712.jpg

Thanks. Doug

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

I would totally do the Cragar SS deal with some wider 60's (I would, personally, do N50's, but I'm a big fan of the 70's Street Freak deal).

BTW, your Nova is beautiful.

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: markinnaples</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would totally do the Cragar SS deal with some wider 60's (I would, personally, do N50's, but I'm a big fan of the 70's Street Freak deal).

BTW, your Nova is beautiful. </div></div>

Thanks, here is another shot showing the stance, needs wider rubber.
https://www.yenko.net/attachments/use...0-dsc_0707.jpg

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

Try some Tow Tabs on it too help the Day 2 look. Can't go wrong with Cragars.

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

Grady nailed the look with his L78 Nova... I'll post photos tonight if no one does it prior

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

The car looks great as it is BUT if you want a change with that color I would go Cragar with some H70's on a 6 or 7 inch rim in the back not sure if L-60's fit novas without a little rear height adjustment and maybe F70's on a 5 or 6 inch rim in the front. Goodyear raised whites. NO dog dish steelie crap. That was the first thing that got canned in the old days!

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

L60's are tough to fit because of the square tread pattern, but a 235-60-15&quot; is the perfect balance and doesn't need any height adjustment or uniquely backspaced rims.

Here's an L60-15&quot;:

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...rp/71Nova1.jpg

Here's a 275-60-15&quot;, essentially a radial version of the L60 but you get less lip interference because of the rounded tread pattern:

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...rp/71Nova3.jpg


Here's a 255-60-15&quot;, which fits pretty good but you might have to watch the backspacing:

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...ateardown1.jpg

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

I would order a set of cragar SS wheels with a custom back space. I think the safe bet is 15x8 with a 5.5 or so back space. Run the L60's and look like a BOSS! The adder for custom offset is very fair. Yes, the popular fix for wrong offset was air shocks, but the 5.5 bs is better for a Nova. Depending on how centered the rear is, you might have to mess with a slight spacer (possibly on one side only).

No radials allowed when considering Day 2 look.

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

Doug, as others have said, your car looks great with the torq thrusts and redlines, but for a change SS Cragars will looks great. Get the backspace right and you'll never look back. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

After getting advise from a few guys here on SYC, I decided to go with Cragars. I wanted cheater slicks for that day 2 look. I went with 14 x 7's on the back, and 15 x 6's up front. The back tires fit up inside the wheelwell with no rubbing. If you go with 8&quot; wheels get the back spacing right as stated above. I also got the tow tabs as suggested.

Here's a shot with the Cragars, and below in my sig picture is a shot with the 15&quot; SS wheels, with G-70-15's (all 4)

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/da...m/100_4182.jpg

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

Bill, that car looks great! DAY 2 Novas are my favorite kind of Muscle Car.

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

I like the nylon thumpers on that gold nova Bill!

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

Thanks guys for all the suggestions.

I'm leaning to the Cragar SS, and as mine is a 68 I picture in my mind the 68 Grumpy Nova. I like the blackwalls also, that was the no-nonsense look back in the late 60's early 70's.

I think Cragar SS 15x7 with 4.25 backspacing on all 4 corners. 235/60/15 fronts and 245/60/15's in the rear.

I'm a Bowtie guy, love the Camaros, Chevelles, big Impalas, but always found the 3 rd. gen. Novas the low dollar street killer. The Bill Rose Nova with the tow tabs is a great touch.

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

If you like like the look of Grump's car, I would reconsider the front tire and rim choice. I think a 4.5&quot; wide with a tall skinny front tire is more I following that style. Might have to remove or address one I new fender bolt.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...afterpart2.jpg

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

Here's a little addition I got from Santa Claus (aka Jim Hanke).....the stainless steel pins for the tow bar tabs.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/da...m/100_4211.jpg

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

Hanke is the man. Looks great Bill!

Doug, not sure I would do the radials if you want the &quot;correct&quot; look. You want the drag look...... 6.70's in the front on the 4&quot; rims and 6 or 7 inch in the back with G or H 70's. I know H's fit because I ran them back in 1970 on my 69 SS nova.

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

Sammy knows what he is talkin about!!!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: [email protected]</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hanke is the man. Looks great Bill!

Doug, not sure I would do the radials if you want the &quot;correct&quot; look. You want the drag look...... 6.70's in the front on the 4&quot; rims and 6 or 7 inch in the back with G or H 70's. I know H's fit because I ran them back in 1970 on my 69 SS nova. </div></div>

Firestone Wide Ovals, yes that would look killer. But, I am going to drive this car, drive from Jersey to Pa. for Super Chevy Show, etc. How do the new Wide Ovals ride? Plus my 68 Nova is real old school...........manual steering! &quot;I don't need no stinkin power steering&quot;.

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

Bill Rose... what &quot;cheater slicks&quot; did you use, and how do they actually drive on the highways and back roads? Thanks!

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DRCBOWTIE</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: [email protected]</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hanke is the man. Looks great Bill!

Doug, not sure I would do the radials if you want the &quot;correct&quot; look. You want the drag look...... 6.70's in the front on the 4&quot; rims and 6 or 7 inch in the back with G or H 70's. I know H's fit because I ran them back in 1970 on my 69 SS nova. </div></div>

Firestone Wide Ovals, yes that would look killer. But, I am going to drive this car, drive from Jersey to Pa. for Super Chevy Show, etc. How do the new Wide Ovals ride? Plus my 68 Nova is real old school...........manual steering! &quot;I don't need no stinkin power steering&quot;. </div></div>

The radials will ride better but a good set of nylon thumpers will be fine. remember they ran on tires like that for many, many years before radials. Even the vintage style radials don't look like the old square shaped tires.

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

Are there any modern radials that look identical or very close to the old bias plys?

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

Very NICE!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bill Rose</div><div class="ubbcode-body">After getting advise from a few guys here on SYC, I decided to go with Cragars. I wanted cheater slicks for that day 2 look. I went with 14 x 7's on the back, and 15 x 6's up front. The back tires fit up inside the wheelwell with no rubbing. If you go with 8&quot; wheels get the back spacing right as stated above. I also got the tow tabs as suggested.

Here's a shot with the Cragars, and below in my sig picture is a shot with the 15&quot; SS wheels, with G-70-15's (all 4)

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/da...m/100_4182.jpg

</div></div>

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

Coker has some radial that look like bias, but you'd never run them on a muscle car.

Sammy is right, these bias tires were good enough for years. I bet today's reproduction tires are better than they were back then. I'm not sure why there seems to be so much apprehension.

A wheel and tire change can really transform a car attitude. When I see cars running period tires and mag wheels- there is a real transformation in my mind. I find I'm not the only one who responds to those great looking square footprints. I think you'll enjoy the bias tires more than you realize.

Here is one of my favorite Nova's rocking a great upsized tire selection. Somehow these Nova's look great with 14 or 15&quot; wheels.

http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Che...-09_GG_a03.jpg

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pxtx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Coker has some radial that look like bias, but you'd never run them on a muscle car.

Sammy is right, these bias tires were good enough for years. I bet today's reproduction tires are better than they were back then. I'm not sure why there seems to be so much apprehension.

A wheel and tire change can really transform a car attitude. When I see cars running period tires and mag wheels- there is a real transformation in my mind. I find I'm not the only one who responds to those great looking square footprints. I think you'll enjoy the bias tires more than you realize.

Here is one of my favorite Nova's rocking a great upsized tire selection. Somehow these Nova's look great with 14 or 15&quot; wheels.

http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Che...-09_GG_a03.jpg </div></div>

Oh yea, and those are the Hurst wheels. You guys got me thinking about some Firestone Wide Ovals on Cragar SS.

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

Oh man, this would look killer on my Nova. The 15x7 Cragars I believe are 4.25 back spacing. I think that would fit well, my Nova has the factory 4 piston caliper discs. Man, that would stand the Nova up like old time muscle.

http://www.cokertire.com/media/catalog/p...ne-f60-15wo.png

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DRCBOWTIE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Oh yea, and those are the Hurst wheels. You guys got me thinking about some Firestone Wide Ovals on Cragar SS.

</div></div>

That's a great look with the RWL wide ovals. If you want to stand apart from the pack and go with a period-correct theme, make those wide ovals the 3/8&quot; pinstripe whitewall version. Looks good depending on the car. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

Be careful putting 15x7&quot; wheels on the front, with 4.25 back spacing. My SS wheels were rubbing on the inner wheel well, but it may be because I have G's on those rims. Those wheel are actually a 2nd set I put together for my 69 El Camino, but I switch them around on 3 different cars.

Bias ply tires are never gonna ride like radials, but they don't belong on muscle cars in my opinion, unless you're driving it a lot. My Nova rides nice with the bias plies up front, and slicks in the back. I think the slicks ride better because they only have 15 lbs of air in them.

I haven't driven the Nova much with the Firestones, because I didn't get the car finished too long before the snow/rain started.

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

I too would stay away from radials, I prefer the bias tires - and they ride fine (I'm so busy shifting, I don't even notice them!).

Paul is correct about using a wheel with the right backspacing, and that is the best way to go - you won't regret it. I was not able to stuff an L60-15 in the stock wheel well, but I was 17 - what did I know about back spacing, I was just happy to get a set of 15x8&quot; slots for $40! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

14 or 15X6's on the front and 14 or15X 7's on the back. Or 14 or 15X6's all around. If you want the drag look do 14 or 15X 4.5 Cragars in the front. I would stay around the 26.5&quot;or so height in the front. The 4.5&quot; Cragars do not have much back spacing so you have to watch your tire height for turn radius. 3.75 to 4.0&quot; of back spacing in the rear is good with as wide as H's. L's would need some height I believe. Most slicks in the old days were mounted on 5-6&quot; rims so the foot print would not be over 7 inches.

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

That is a good point Bill. I've never considered a 7&quot; wheel on the front of a Nova so that issue was off my radar. A 6&quot; wheel up front is more than adequate for most tire choices.

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think you can get 6&quot; SS wheels. You'd have to put 14 X 7&quot; SS wheels, then use F or G-70-14 on the front.

If you want to go with SS wheels in the back, you can get 15 x 7 with G's with no fit issues. If you go to an SS 8&quot; wheel, I think you're looking for trouble, if you want them up inside the wheel well.

My Cragars are 6&quot; in the front, with 6-70 15 Firestones, for that skinny look. They fit over my brakes, but I have the 69 single piston calipers. I'm not sure about the skinnier (4.5&quot; wide) Cragars fitting over calipers. You'd have to research that.

The rear Cragars are 14 x 7's with 8.00/8.50-14 cheater slicks.


You're welcome to come here and look at any of my wheels. If you're in NJ, you can't be too far away.

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

I believe all new Cragars fit over calibers. never had that issue other than using some mid 60's wheels on newer disc brake cars.

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

Bill mentioned the 14 x 6 SS wheel and if it was available...The 1969 Chevelle SS wheels were 14 x 6....interesting considering the Camaro and Nova had a 14 x 7 SS wheel. From what I know, this was a one year only option.

wilma

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

Tom, 69 Chevelles came with 7&quot; SS wheels not 6&quot;.... The 68 Chevelle was the last year for 6&quot; wheels in SS Chevelles, and those were rally wheels. As far as I know, no one makes a 6&quot; SS wheel.

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

14x6 Cragar S/S &quot;Sparklers&quot; on E70-14 Goodyear Wide Tread Redlines.


http://joeybsyc.smugmug.com/photos/i...tdrpc62-XL.jpg

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bill Rose</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think you can get 6&quot; SS wheels. You'd have to put 14 X 7&quot; SS wheels, then use F or G-70-14 on the front.

If you want to go with SS wheels in the back, you can get 15 x 7 with G's with no fit issues. If you go to an SS 8&quot; wheel, I think you're looking for trouble, if you want them up inside the wheel well.

My Cragars are 6&quot; in the front, with 6-70 15 Firestones, for that skinny look. They fit over my brakes, but I have the 69 single piston calipers. I'm not sure about the skinnier (4.5&quot; wide) Cragars fitting over calipers. You'd have to research that.

The rear Cragars are 14 x 7's with 8.00/8.50-14 cheater slicks.


You're welcome to come here and look at any of my wheels. If you're in NJ, you can't be too far away. </div></div>

Thanks Bill, I'm in Atlantic Highlands, N.J., it would be nice to see your cars anyway, such nice work.

I love the look of Wide Ovals, but I'm going to drive this Nova big time, like it was 1968. So that is why my first thought was radials. I'm confident 15x7 and 4.25 back spacing with 235/60/15's all around would work. Current 14x6 and 215/70/14's just don't have that fat muscle car look.

My 68 has a NOM block, intake / carb matching #, along with the trans and rear, paperwork from day 1. Even have the original radiator shroud for 68. So, I am building a 383 stroker that will look factory, big HP.

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: camarojoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> 14x6 Cragar S/S &quot;Sparklers&quot; on E70-14 Goodyear Wide Tread Redlines.


http://joeybsyc.smugmug.com/photos/i...tdrpc62-XL.jpg </div></div>

Thanks for posting that pic. Those wheels are really cool! When Bob told me you owned then, I was hoping to see them on the Deuce one day.

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

That's a great look on your Deuce Joe!

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

Anyone having questions about bias-ply, give me a call. I can set you up with the Goodyears you need. My cell is 816-654-3400.

Re: Day 2 wheel suggestions?
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bill Rose</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tom, 69 Chevelles came with 7&quot; SS wheels not 6&quot;.... The 68 Chevelle was the last year for 6&quot; wheels in SS Chevelles, and those were rally wheels. As far as I know, no one makes a 6&quot; SS wheel. </div></div>

Bill...I always thought that was the case...but, in Colvin's Book Chevy by the Numbers 65-69 he lists a 14 x 6 Chevelle SS Wheel with both codes...YA and AO.*page 321
Maybe this is a misprint in his book [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img]

Thanks...wilma