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Tires:
First, the base and SS size tires on a stock car:
Base car tire size: 185/75R14
SS car tire sizes: 195/75R14 205/75R14
RIMS:
The standard steel rim was 14 x 5" for Chevelle and Malibu SS cars
Z16's used a different type of rim to allow for the 11" drums. Z16 rims were code JK and size 14 x 6"
Ok, so how big can you go? This is really a loaded question because it depends a lot on the setup of your car.
Check out these references:
Here's a tool that shows you if the tire will hit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ib9DXD2sBo and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh9SGgKmFYs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH3fDxAPeTk
Here's a good article for all Chevelles: https://www.hotrod.com/articles/pit-stop-max-wheel-tire-sizes-early-chevelle/
Chevelles.com's forum has some good points: https://www.chevelles.com/threads/widest-tires-for-stock-65-malibu-ss-w-65-ar-torq-thrust-rim.363608/
There are many Facebook discussions. Here are some we are following:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/65chevelle/permalink/1141757819594311/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/64and65chevellesonly/permalink/3005541873000805
Robbie Morgan they are 17x8s on the front and 18x8s on the rear. Tons of space with no chance of rubbing. If you call Coy’s Wheels, and tell them you have a 65...they have the wheel for you. I think it’s 5 or 5 1/2 inch backspace. (Pics below)
Chris Wozniak 64 / 65 Chevelles https://www.facebook.com/jrmaroney/posts/1231040417332717:4
For those wondering if you can fit a 275 width tore in a stock wheel tub. You can … but definitely would need the fender lips rolled to drive it. Or some custom wheels with another 1/4” spacing back towards the frame.
And with my ridetech coilover setup I had the joy of unbolting them and loosening the sway bar to get the damn things off the car !
The rears are 17x8 with 255/45-17 with a 5-1/8 backspace. The fronts are 17x7 with 235/45-17 with a 4-3/4 backspace.
https://www.macswebs.com/richl79/65tudorwagon/index.html
https://www.facebook.com/groups/64and65chevellesonly/permalink/3005541873000805
Jared Gastineau I agree. I had 15 x 8. 4" backspace rim 60, 215 tires and tire was touching fender.went to 15 x 7 worked out alot better.
Honest truth 18x8” centered (4” backspace) no issues. All 4 corners.
If you go 18” x 9” in the rear, it’s gonna be close and you may need to adjust for clearance
I did the rear 18”x9” and I have a 10” tread, but rear close to the wheel 1/4 panel lip
Wheels are 18x8.5 front and 18x9.5 year everything clears but not a lot of clearance from the fender when the wheel is turned.
The front does have 2in drop spindles and was lowered 1in all around from stock
Drop spindles are off it was rubbing from body roll, with 1in lowering springs 8.5in tires fit upfront stock. 9.5in wide rear
Robert Mica (Member: https://www.facebook.com/groups/65chevelle)
FRONTS: 215/45ZR17 91W XL
BACKS: 255/45ZR18
WHEEL BACKSPACING
WHEEL BACKSPACING
An older system of measurement, backspacing is the distance from the mounting surface to the back of the wheel. Like offset, your vehicle’s needs determine your wheel’s backspacing. While offset is measured in millimeters, backspace is measured in inches. The correct backspacing will allow enough room for the suspension, brakes and steering systems to operate without interference from the wheel. Remember, there’s a direct correlation between backspacing and offset. A positive offset creates more backspace, while a negative offset reduces backspace.
How to measure wheel backspacing: To measure backspacing, lay the wheel facedown. (Pro Tip: use a soft surface to protect the wheel face.) Place a solid, flat item, such as a board, across the wheel so that there’s a flat surface touching both sides of the wheel. Then, using a ruler or tape measure, measure the distance from the mounting surface to the base of the object.
WHEEL OFFSET
WHEEL OFFSET
The distance between the mounting surface and the wheel’s centerline impacts your wheel’s style and fit, and ensures that your wheels don’t rub the fenders, brakes or other suspension components. Offset is measured in millimeters and can be positive, zero or negative.
Positive offset wheels: the mounting surface is further away from the centerline, sitting closer to the face of the wheel.
Zero offset wheels: the mounting surface is even with the centerline of the wheel.
Negative offset wheels: the mounting surface is closer to the back of the wheel
"The rears are 17x8 with 255/45-17 with a 5-1/8 backspace. The fronts are 17x7 with 235/45-17 with a 4-3/4 backspace."
We see here for a regular 8" wide rim, the backspace is 4.50" These have a backspace of 5.125" so the inner side of the rim is 0.625" closer to the frame. They have an offset of about + 12mm
Bolt Pattern Measurement
Bolt Pattern Measurement
Bolt patterns with an even number of lugs are measured from bolt center to bolt center while 5 lug bolt patterns are measured from the top of the upper lug to the center of the lower lug. To find your bolt pattern, measure the distance as accurately as possible and then find the corresponding bolt pattern in the conversion table below. For example, if you have a 5 lug wheel and your measurement is 5" then your bolt pattern is 5 x 5" (5 x 127mm).
Unless someone changed the axles the bolt pattern for a 1965 Chevelle is 5 x 4.75 (5x120.65mm) This hold true for ALL models
While most people are familiar with standard 60 degree tapered acorn style lug nuts, many full size trucks with hub-centric wheels use flat flange style nuts and smaller lightweight vehicles like buggies and UTVs often use ball style lugs.
1/2"-20 60° Acorn M10-1.25 60° Acorn
9/16"-18 60° Acorn M12-1.25 60° Acorn
9/16"-18 90° Acorn M12-1.50 60° Acorn
9/16"-18 Flange (Ford / Dodge) M12-1.50 Ball
5/8"-11 90° Acorn M14-1.5 60° Acorn
5/8"-11 Flange M14-1.50 Ball
5/8"-18 90° Acorn M14-2.0 60° Acorn
5/8"-18 Flange M14-2.0 Ball
Lug Nut Torque Specs
Lug Nut Torque Specs
Stud Torque Engagement
12mm 75 to 85 lb-ft. 7 Turns
14mm 85 to 95 lb-ft. 8 Turns
7/16" 70 to 80 lb-ft. 8 Turns
1/2" 75 to 85 lb-ft. 8 Turns
9/16" 105 to 115 lb-ft. 8 Turns
5/8" 125 to 135 lb-ft. 8 Turns
18x9.5 here with 305’s
18x9.5 here with 305’s
Steve Bullock https://www.facebook.com/stevenstephanie.bullock
The front is a 18x8 4.5 backspace and the rear 18x9.5 is 5.250
how is the clearance on the inside of the 9.5? Would you say you've got another inch of room? yes, had to trim the stainless around the lip just on the inside a little.
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