New wheels & tires for a 68 300hp car

[David M.]

Re: New wheels & tires for a 68 300hp car

The current market for new Cragars that fit a 68-? Corvette is essentially zero. As such, they years ago limited the number of part numbers they carry and don't make the correct ones any more. So, while you feel that there are "a bunch of us that would like to run these wheels", Cragar apparently does not agree.

You might get them to agree to a one-time run, but you would likely have to do a group buy of X number of sets.

Also, its not rim width but backspacing AND curve of the spokes that is getting you. They make 7 inch ones that don't fit either.

As funny as it sounds, I think they make a 17 inch rim that fits fine.

Pat, Gene
I have a note into Cragar. The 8" rim we ordered was supposed to be the right-off set and fit according to the tech on the other end of the phone. Not.
The off-set is 4" from the hat to the rim. It wont clear the caliper and is much too close to the ebrake cable bracket on the arm. The strut rod and shock clearance is OK, tight but permissible even with my anality. The 215/15" on there now rub ever so slightly only on the drivers side. I still have some adjustment on the steering to correct the valve overcompensation from last years rebuild. The rub will go away once I have the ram balance and tie rod geometry figured out...though it aligned properly...I think.

The 7" Cragar will have the same problem like you say. The dish is missing in the Cragars. Its a parallel plane from the center hat to the hoop. With the 8" wheel the weights would be sheered off by the ebrake cable if external old school weights are used to balance, in which we'd opt for stick ons anyway. The 8" rim would be way too close for comfort for me. Id rather have that extra inch with the 7 inchers.

We may put the purchased wheels on the 442 for a different look. Waiting for feed back from Cragar before making any decisions.

Also Looking at the Coker/Wheel Vintiques all chrome Rally with new derby's. That wheel will have the correct off-set profile and the OEM 3 3/4" backspace to clear the calipers as Chevy intended.

Will follow up when all the funs done and new rubber is on.