I wish to space the rear wheels back out some, while keeping the front ones in at the correct back spacing for handling purposes. I have looked at several available spacers and would appreciate opinons or stories about experiences with these or ones like them.

There are three basic ones I have seen:
Two of them are on this page. http://www.livermoreperformance.com/mus ... rs.html#hr

The top ones are apparently the top of the line stuff, which will allow you to set the wheels out as much as 90mm which is almost 4 inches. Since I wish to move my rear wheels out just 1/2", I think the lower, cheaper guys will do just fine.

However, Cal Custom (doesn't the name just make you chuckle?) offers a pair of cheap aluminum spacers which are 7/16" thick for a mere $15 from Summit. They are multi hole application for several different bolt hole diameters. What are the thoughts about this in general, and specifically? I have always been afraid of spacers, but Lou has them on his cars, and he drives his cars much harder than I do mine. Lou, what brand have you used? Thanks for the opinions.

Sam

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The thick ones that you bolt to the hub, then bolt the wheel to them are strong enough as those are used by 4x4s.


The thick spacer only ones are relying on the wheel studs for strength, so should have upgraded/longer studs. I'd only use these with the upgraded studs and if they have a lip that keep them centered on the hub, and a lip for the wheel to center on them.


A sheet of flat metal any thicker than 1/8" (even with upgraded wheel studs) is a disaster waiting to happen.

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

I would leave the rear wheels centered in the wheel well and fill it out with something along the lines of a 235/60R15, but that's me.

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Joshua

I know my experiences/beliefs are unpopular and potentially dangerous. I seem to get away with things that others might not, maybe due to my assembly procedures and my light cars? Also, I ALWAYS make sure studs are installed properly and lugs are torqued TIGHT (90+ ft-lbs). I check them frequently and have never had loose ones to my recollection. I strongly suspect that wheel spacer failures are mostly due to wimpy lugnut torque and subsequent movement of the wheel/spacer on hard use or bumps.

Anyway, I agree that hub-centric spacers are the best. However, I have used the flimsy pieces of metal with long studs for 10 yrs with no issues. I also agree with Josh that wider tires to take up the space would be optimal, but I know you like those tires, Sam.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Lou, You and Josh have both given me something to think about. HMMM.....I don;t have to do anything soon. My 70 Dart had 215 60's on the rear, and they looked better than the 205's. I will see what this combo looks like and drive it for awhile. Did anybody look at the products on the web link? Thanks for the comments.

Sam

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Sam,

I fit 235/60R15s under my '66 Dart so I know you can fit them under your '69. BTW, there are many more 225/60R15s than 235/60R15s. I just bought a pair of 215/60R15s for the front of my '72 Swinger and they are mounted on Dodge cop car wheels.

I'd seen that web site before and they do appear to have quality products. The only problem is the center register on a Ford wheel is a little smaller than a Dodge. To make the spacers hub-centric they would have to be machined out on the hub side and then an adapter bushing made for the wheel side.

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Joshua

I've run custom made wheel spacers on road race cars without any problems. If you know what you're doing the spacers are fairly easy to fabricate.

I designed my front brake kits to work with spacers. The hub has a constant diameter nose on it so the wheel stays hub-centric even with a fairly thick spacer behind it. Nobody else does this as far as I know even though the idea seems rather obvious.

Thanks again for the replies. I don't know what the hub size is on the new wheels yet. They are not necessarily Mustang wheels. I will take measurements and see where I stand. The wheels are supposed to be here today sometime. I can take my time and do this right. Andy, if I get measurements for the wheel hub, can you make a set of 1/2" spacers for me? There is a good machinist here, so that is an option too. It looks like the H&R spacers are what you like.

Sam

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FWIW, I have "machined" several aluminum Mustang register wheels out about 0.020-0.040" to fit the Mopar register/hub (can't remember exactly how much). My lathe consisted of a 3/8" drill with a 1.5" drum 100 grit sanding wheel. I stood on the wheel and slowly ran the drum around the inside of the wheel register hole at full drill speed, then rotated myself on the wheel by 60-90 deg and repeated the hogging. Repeat the rotation of myself over the wheel maybe a dozen times, trying to randomize my angle increments. I would be very surprised if there were more than a few thousands out-of-round using this procedure and it is dead easy. If I had to widen the hole more, I would not use this technique.

YMMV, hog at your own risk...

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Lou! Say it isn't so!

All these years I've been looking up to you as such a technical expert and bugging you to death with my persistent questions about your brakes and suspension set ups,.... And all this time you've been a typical shade tree "Hogger"!?

I am crushed!

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Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Lou seems to know what's important. Just remember it has not been that long ago he was poor grad student, hot rodding on a budget.

Sam

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There is a time and a place for shade tree, and it can also get you into trouble. I use a mix of as many worlds as possible, and test everything...

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988