[FC] 15" wheels

[Dale Dewald]

Hello Ben,

At 16:25 5/16/2010 -0400, you wrote:
>Greetings-
>
>I know this subject has been beaten to death on this forum. I have read
>the posts in the past with limited attention as I never intended to go
>this route. Now the time has come by necessity. The disk brake kit I
>bought from Pete requires 15" wheels. This means I need help figuring out:
>
>1) what 15" wheel/tire combo will give me good ratios close to stock?

I do not have Bob Helt's book available but as I recall he listed the stock 
FC tire size, 7.00-14 4-ply, had a rev/mile = 810.  This is most easily 
obtained with the 195/70R15 or 215/65R15 tire sizes.  These will yield 
about perfect 810-811 rev/mile for the 195/70R15 and about 801-805 rev/mile 
for the 215/65R15 size.  I strongly recommend that you consider one of the 
European van specified extra load or LT type tires that are 
available.  Continental, Vredestein, Nokian and Goodyear all make the 
195/70R15 size in an XL or load range C specifically for vans.  Nokian 
makes a 215/65R15 XL load rated tire in the i3 line.  Beware that standard 
passenger car tires of these sizes do not have adequate load rating for the 
FC, especially your camper-equipped Greenbrier.  i am planning to replace 
the tires on my Greenbrier with either the Nokian i3 215?65R15 or C-Van 
195/70R15 as I have a local tire shop that carries Nokian tires. (Go 
figure--I live in the frozen north--quite similar to Finland)

>What insets are acceptable (especially for rear wheel wells?)

I think you mean offset.  A 15 X 6 standard wheel works best.  You want a 
3.5" back spacing.  (This is what I have on my Greenbrier--no clearance issues)

>2) can I come up with a combo that will keep me as low to the ground as
>stock (my garage door opening is not getting any higher...the van can't
>either)

A set of 15 X 6 wheels with 195/70R15 XL (load index 102/104) will be the 
same height as stock.

>3) what 15" wheels will allow me to still run my Chevy baby moon
>hubcaps? (ie. I ran them on my Scotty trailer with 15" wheels...but they
>are Ford pattern. I want to keep the "look" I enjoy with the Baby moons
>but need 15" wheels)

The best bet is to check a salvage yard that still has some 70's or 80's 
cars.  You want to get a set of standard 15 X 6 wheels from an GM G-body 
station wagon--good luck.  I have acquired 3 of these wheels and would like 
to buy 2 more if you happen to find a source.  My local salvage yard got 
rid of everything built before 1990 about 3 years ago when scrap metal 
prices were sky high.... I am out of luck unless I look elsewhere.

>4) Things need to happen quickly as Jeff needs the van out of his shop
>and I need to get it home to finish a few things for the Iowa trip

Your biggest obstacle will be wheels.  You might want to check on-line for 
reproduction Corvette/muscle car wheels that might be available with a baby 
moon caps or police "dog dish" hubcaps.  These look pretty nice when 
combined with trim rings.

>Any help appreciated. Thanks as always!

Please email me direct if you have specific questions.

Dale Dewald
Hancock, Mi


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