Malibu 30 x 9 Radial Tire Clearance

Dave Muller · 03-25-2015, 01:15 PM

Hi everyone.

I will be ordering wheels and tires soon for my '66 Malibu. I will take measurements first with a set of 28" tires on 8" wheels that I have handy to get the offset, then once I have the Hoosier radials on the new wheels I'll mount those and see how much, if any, trimming has to be done. But to give me an idea of what I'm likely to be up against it would help to hear how this worked out for anyone else with a '66 or '67 Malibu in stock. Soon I'll be to the cutting-and-welding part of body work so that's the time to do this if I have to.

Wouldn't hurt to also hear what backspacing (and width) you went with for wheels.

That'll also give me a sanity check on my own measurements.

HandOverFist · 03-25-2015, 01:38 PM

Dave - I know we put a set of 28x10.00's on my partners '66 SS Chevelle using 5.5" backspace without issue. It was close, but no rubbing.

8secchevelle · 03-25-2015, 02:24 PM

I use a 15x9 wheel with 5 inch back space with the factory 66 12 bolt i have used the hoosier 9x30 radial with plenty of clearance also have used a10.5x29.5 m/t tire it will rub a little on the front lower part of the quarter panel , currently using the m/t 10.5x28w tire that fits very nice, my 66 has not had any frame modification

Dave Muller · 03-25-2015, 07:32 PM

Thanks, guys, that's exactly the sort of input I was looking for. Hopefully my measurements will indicate a similar situation on my car, and if so it sounds like little, if any, trimming will be needed.

Mark Faul · 03-25-2015, 08:48 PM

Not sure if the wheel wells are exactly the same, but on my 66 elcamino stocker I run 15x10 with 5.5 BS. Had 15x8 with 4.5 before too. It's a little snug with a 30x9. (I like the lightweight 29.5x9 MT radials for a little more room.) Might have to trim the lip a little bit.
Seems like the 10" wheel helps stretch the tire a little more and decrease the bulge at the sidewall section width a bit, which helps also with clearance

Dave Muller · 03-26-2015, 02:14 AM

Thanks for the information, Mark. I guess I'll still start with the 9x30, and if I have to trim or hammer a little, so be it.

Clearly it'll be close enough that I won't really know for sure until I do a test fit.

Larry Hill · 03-26-2015, 09:39 AM

PM Wade Owens

Dave Muller · 03-26-2015, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Hill

PM Wade Owens

Thanks, I didn't realize he was registered on the forum. PM has been sent.

Duster 7695 · 03-26-2015, 07:25 PM

Dave,

I think Kenny Newsome will be able to give you some good advice.

Raul

03-25-2015, 01:15 PM	#1
Dave Muller Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 491 Likes: 157 Liked 221 Times in 71 Posts	Malibu 30 x 9 Radial Tire Clearance Hi everyone. I will be ordering wheels and tires soon for my '66 Malibu. I will take measurements first with a set of 28" tires on 8" wheels that I have handy to get the offset, then once I have the Hoosier radials on the new wheels I'll mount those and see how much, if any, trimming has to be done. But to give me an idea of what I'm likely to be up against it would help to hear how this worked out for anyone else with a '66 or '67 Malibu in stock. Soon I'll be to the cutting-and-welding part of body work so that's the time to do this if I have to. Wouldn't hurt to also hear what backspacing (and width) you went with for wheels. That'll also give me a sanity check on my own measurements. Last edited by Dave Muller; 03-25-2015 at 07:31 PM. Reason: fixed 'diameter', I really meant 'width'

03-25-2015, 01:38 PM	#2
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,655 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Malibu 30 x 9 Radial Tire Clearance Dave - I know we put a set of 28x10.00's on my partners '66 SS Chevelle using 5.5" backspace without issue. It was close, but no rubbing. __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321

03-25-2015, 02:24 PM	#3
8secchevelle Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: ledbetter ky. Posts: 40 Likes: 1 Liked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Malibu 30 x 9 Radial Tire Clearance I use a 15x9 wheel with 5 inch back space with the factory 66 12 bolt i have used the hoosier 9x30 radial with plenty of clearance also have used a10.5x29.5 m/t tire it will rub a little on the front lower part of the quarter panel , currently using the m/t 10.5x28w tire that fits very nice, my 66 has not had any frame modification

03-25-2015, 07:32 PM	#4
Dave Muller Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 491 Likes: 157 Liked 221 Times in 71 Posts	Re: Malibu 30 x 9 Radial Tire Clearance Thanks, guys, that's exactly the sort of input I was looking for. Hopefully my measurements will indicate a similar situation on my car, and if so it sounds like little, if any, trimming will be needed.

03-25-2015, 08:48 PM	#5
Mark Faul Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Tacoma,WA Posts: 341 Likes: 2 Liked 43 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Malibu 30 x 9 Radial Tire Clearance Not sure if the wheel wells are exactly the same, but on my 66 elcamino stocker I run 15x10 with 5.5 BS. Had 15x8 with 4.5 before too. It's a little snug with a 30x9. (I like the lightweight 29.5x9 MT radials for a little more room.) Might have to trim the lip a little bit. Seems like the 10" wheel helps stretch the tire a little more and decrease the bulge at the sidewall section width a bit, which helps also with clearance

03-26-2015, 02:14 AM	#6
Dave Muller Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 491 Likes: 157 Liked 221 Times in 71 Posts	Re: Malibu 30 x 9 Radial Tire Clearance Thanks for the information, Mark. I guess I'll still start with the 9x30, and if I have to trim or hammer a little, so be it. Clearly it'll be close enough that I won't really know for sure until I do a test fit.

03-26-2015, 09:39 AM	#7
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,277 Likes: 1,635 Liked 9,451 Times in 1,956 Posts	Re: Malibu 30 x 9 Radial Tire Clearance PM Wade Owens __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817

03-26-2015, 07:25 PM	#9
Duster 7695 Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 140 Likes: 1 Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Malibu 30 x 9 Radial Tire Clearance Dave, I think Kenny Newsome will be able to give you some good advice. Raul