Wheels / Tires: What set back to clear 63Avanti Disc brakes?

[starlightchamp]

I want to buy wire wheels for my 63 Avanti and have found a set with
the right lug spacing. The vendor says the setback is 3.75 inches.
Anyone know what setback is needed to clear front discs ?
....Dick Curtis

[studegary]

A big problem with the disc brakes is clearance for the cross-over tube. Offset of the wheels is important, but not the whole story on clearance. I am assuming that you are staying with 15 inch.

[JoeHall]

The 3.75" should be OK. Some folks have problems with 4". I am assuming they are 6" to 6.5" wide, 15" rims?

Joe

[starlightchamp]

7" wide rim,15 " D. wheel. Looking at the below.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/15x7-WIRE-WHEELS-Chrome-Knock-off-Spoke-Rims-4-5-6-lug-/370475179311?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Ac

What please is a"cross over" tube.
Thanks for the help.
....DIck

[studegary]

7" wide rim,15 " D. wheel. Looking at the below.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/15x7-WIRE-WHEELS-Chrome-Knock-off-Spoke-Rims-4-5-6-lug-/370475179311?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Ac

What please is a"cross over" tube.
Thanks for the help.
....DIck

The cross-over tube is the tube that carries brake fluid from one side of the caliper to the other. This clearance is the reason older Studebaker wheels do not fit on disc brake cars.

[Dick Steinkamp]

They MAY clear the disc brake parts, but they may interfere with the fender depending upon what size tires you are running. You would be much safer with 6" wide wheels and 3 1/2" backspacing (assuming 205 75 15 tires).

I have to say this...that spoke pattern is not traditional for a 60's era car and is generally reserved for what are called "lowriders". Not that there is anything wrong with putting them an an Avanti, I just wanted to make sure you know what you are buying.

This would be the traditional wheel for your car...

eBay wire wheel

...and are the correct bolt pattern and the stock width for your Avanti.

[studegary]

You might want to note that the wheels that Dick directed you to are period correct in appearance, but are $312.90 EACH plus center caps plus required tubes versus $523 for FOUR plus $158 shipping. Your choice. Maybe there is some compromise. How about a nice set of wire wheel covers to use and decide how you like the wire wheel look (Oldsmobile, and probably other GM, had some that looked a lot like real wire wheels).

[spokejr]

7" wide rim,15 " D. wheel. Looking at the below.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/15x7-WIRE-WH...Truck_Parts_Ac

Dick, these are a really bad choice due to the basic design.

The problem I see on these is the basic design. If you notice, the spokes radiate from the hub with no cross pattern. There is side angle so there is latteral strength but the spokes need to come out of the hub with a cross pattern. It doesn't have to be fully tangental, just crossing at least 1 or 2 spokes allowing the hub to transfer torque to the rim without winding the spokes around the hub. You can get a superior wheel from Dayton or rebuild a Borrani. The Wheel Vintiques is good but really in my feable mind looks a whole lot better on a T-Bird.

Kennie Buchanan
Buchanan's Spoke & Rim
http://buchananspokes.com

[Dick Steinkamp]

You might want to note that the wheels that Dick directed you to are period correct in appearance, but are $312.90 EACH plus center caps plus required tubes versus $523 for FOUR plus $158 shipping.

I have NO problem spending other people's money.

[spokejr]

You might want to note that the wheels that Dick directed you to are period correct in appearance, but are $312.90 EACH plus center caps plus required tubes versus $523 for FOUR plus $158 shipping. Your choice. Maybe there is some compromise. How about a nice set of wire wheel covers to use and decide how you like the wire wheel look (Oldsmobile, and probably other GM, had some that looked a lot like real wire wheels).

That may be true Gary, but $523.00 for 4 of a wheel that is for show only and likely to fail due to a lack of torsional strength is the equivalent of standing in front of a toilet with a fist full of $100.00 bills, flushing them down one at a time. How long before you're thrown good money down the drain?

Kennie Buchanan

[studegary]

That may be true Gary, but $523.00 for 4 of a wheel that is for show only and likely to fail due to a lack of torsional strength is the equivalent of standing in front of a toilet with a fist full of $100.00 bills, flushing them down one at a time. How long before you're thrown good money down the drain?

Kennie Buchanan

I don't know about the "show only" part of this. I am thinking of a car that I know of with these. The car has fairly high performance and the wheels have been in use for years and thousands of miles.

[spokejr]

I don't know about the "show only" part of this. I am thinking of a car that I know of with these. The car has fairly high performance and the wheels have been in use for years and thousands of miles.

Your friend might want to pass on buying any lottery tickets in the near future. Usually they break at the top of the thread, down in the nipple and many may not know they have a couple of broken spokes for a while.

One of the things I forgot to mention was that the radial laced wheel has 100 spokes vs 72 in either the Boranni, Dayton or some Dunlops.

Another factor that helps to keep the radial laced wheels blowing apart at first use is that there isn't any bend in the spoke. The bend in conventional laced spokes is the weakest feature. Note, some Daytons have the hub machined to allow the use of staight (a.k.a nail) spokes on the back side and still have a cross pattern.

But the problem that keeps coming back on radial lacing is that you are essentially winding the spoke around the hub and the tension on the spoke increases immensely as torque is applied whereas the spokes in a conventional lace pattern are pulling in a lineal manner.

Naturally, the upshot is we see these broken in our shop all the time. The down side is when we qoute the cost of parts to rebuild, they usually walk. I'll make the parts but I won't lace these.

Kennie B.

[studegary]

Your friend might want to pass on buying any lottery tickets in the near future. Usually they break at the top of the thread, down in the nipple and many may not know they have a couple of broken spokes for a while.

One of the things I forgot to mention was that the radial laced wheel has 100 spokes vs 72 in either the Boranni, Dayton or some Dunlops.

Another factor that helps to keep the radial laced wheels blowing apart at first use is that there isn't any bend in the spoke. The bend in conventional laced spokes is the weakest feature. Note, some Daytons have the hub machined to allow the use of staight (a.k.a nail) spokes on the back side and still have a cross pattern.

But the problem that keeps coming back on radial lacing is that you are essentially winding the spoke around the hub and the tension on the spoke increases immensely as torque is applied whereas the spokes in a conventional lace pattern are pulling in a lineal manner.

Naturally, the upshot is we see these broken in our shop all the time. The down side is when we qoute the cost of parts to rebuild, they usually walk. I'll make the parts but I won't lace these.

Kennie B.

Thanks. I am sure that you know MUCH more about wire wheels than I do. I was just passing on expeience that I am aware of.
What are the conditions and mode of failure with this radial type of wire wheel?

[Guest]

When I replaced my disc brakes on the 63 Avanti with Jim Turner's set-up, he suggested a 4" offset.
I bought a set from Summit Racing, 7" wide and 15" with that offset. Works fine!