The big TRs use a 4 on 4.5" pattern, don't remember offhand what the offset
is on the various wheels. I knew it when I bought a batch of 15 x 8.5"
wheels, though. Still have a set, mounted with some Hoosier autocross tires,
maybe I'll get my 250 motor redone this summer and get a chance to use them.
Popular cars with the 4 on 4.5 pattern are Datsun 240/260 Z, along with some
Datsun sedans like the 510, 200SX and such. Some mid 60s, early 70s Ford
products, Corvairs, geez, here's a list:
4 on 4-1/2
Acura - Legend '86-'89
Buick - Special '61-'63
Chevrolet
Corvair all 4-bolt
Chevy II all 4-bolt
Sprint '85-'87
Nova ('61-'70)
Datsun/Nissan - most models to '89
Dodge Colt '79-'88
Dodge Colt (early)
Ford
Mustang all '65-'68 4-bolt
Falcon, Maverick, Granada all 4-bolt
Mazda - 626, RX7 '83-'87 ????
MGA, MGB, MGC
Olds - F-85 '61-'63
Plymouth - Arrow, Sapporo '79-'88
SAAB all ???
SAAB - 900 to '87
Toyota - most exc. MR2 and P.U. to '89
Triumph TR 2..6
But be careful, a lot of these wheels are 13 or 14 inch diameter, or have
odd offsets, and won't clear the front calipers properly. Hey, wait a
minute, I remember ( insert sounds of disk access here) yep, here it is:
Okay, here's a wheel and tire. Well, a quick rendition of a wheel and tire:
| |
| tire | Outside of car
| |
o-----\/-----o
|
|
Suspension |
stuff |
|
<- a ->
|
<- b ->|
|
<--- w ------>
|
o-----/\-----o
| |
| |
| |
Now, for some dimensions:
w: nominal width of whell, i.e. the 8 in 15x8
a: frontspacing?? Usually ignored for the most part, as the backspace
dimension is more critical.
b: backspacing - the distance from the edge of the wheel to the mounting
face on the wheel center.
Offset: If a = b = w/2, then the wheel has zero offset.
If b > a, then b - w/2 = offset, in POSITIVE direction. Many front
wheel drive cars and Volvos have lots of positive offset.
If b < a, w/2 - b = negative offset.
For example, I have some 15x7 American Racing rims on my TR. They have a
backspacing of 4 inches. So, b = 4, w = 7
4 - 7/2 = 0.5" positive offset
|