Re: Stock Eliminator Fairlane
 

You can't go by what others run for backspace unless you know their rear end measurements. Most racers rears aren't factory dimensions due to brake differences, wheel & tire choices.

Re: Stock Eliminator Fairlane
 

definitely not ruling out mods, but would like to keep them to a minimum as this car has a lot of sentimental value to me. It was and will remain a race car though, I just want to do as much pre-planning as I can to minimize irresversible mods. Thank you all for your help..

Re: Stock Eliminator Fairlane
 

One thing you might also what to do is make longer bump stops so the car/ fenders can't hit the slicks on sharp turns off the track on to the return road or bumps in the shut down or pits .

Re: Stock Eliminator Fairlane
 

My car is a 71 Cougar. Not the same as an earlier Fairlane but close. Mine has 10" wheels w/6.5" backspace. I used a big sledge hammer on the wheel tubs, just trimmed on the inner fender, cut the legal 2" from the leading fender edges and took a 3 foot long straight edge under the car with jack stands under the rear end housing. I took a bunch of measurements and drew out what those looked like on paper, checked slick manufacturers specs O.D. and section width of the tire , transferred those measurements to my cars wheelwells and ordered the wheels that made that tire fit.

I wouldn't bow the fenders outer lines, IMHO. Just going to a 9x29.5 Radial as opposed to a 9x30 Bias may get all the room you may need.

Does this car have any letters left on the outside of the tire?

Re: Stock Eliminator Fairlane
 

47 years ago John Dee and I put 10.50s on our SS/E 67 Fairlane before narrowed rears or wheel tubs were legal on the stock width drum brake housing without cutting anything or jacking wheel wells out. It took a BFH, custom built offset Cragars and a lot of hammering and some fender lip work. It's a lot of work but it can be done so 9s couldn't be that big a problem. Id post a picture if I knew how.

Re: Stock Eliminator Fairlane
 

My Shelby stocker project has 9"x29" bias on 10" wheels with 5.5 backspace.
Just needed a little massage from a BFH in the front inside corners and some fender lip work.
Also the Cal-Trac leaf springs were a little narrower than stock.

Re: Stock Eliminator Fairlane
 

another pic

Re: Stock Eliminator Fairlane
 

Speedhaven you can email me or call. I'll try to answer your questions.
cwhitney167@gmail.com

Re: Stock Eliminator Fairlane
 

The best way I have found to make sure the tires are in the right place is to put the rear end housing on the springs with the u-bolts and not have the housing welded to the pads with the wheels that you think would fit. Then set the car on the tires at ride height and see where there is any fitment problems. Not being welded you can move the housing around to make the tires fit the best in the wheelwells as most bodies don't sit completely square with rear axle.

Re: Stock Eliminator Fairlane
 

Between Chris and RJ Sledge I cannot imagine anyone who knows more about what you are trying to do. looking forward to seeing your car done