Correct wheels and tires?

[Phil]

I am currently in need of replacing the tires and wheels of my 1970 Challenger. Its a 340 / 4 speed that I've had for years, and now getting ready to restore.

The car currently has Keystone Klassic wheels in poor condition, and Goodyear Eagle ST's also in poor condition. P215 / 65R15 front, and P275 / 60R15 rear

I want to do it right, so looking for guidance. I like the Rallye wheels. So guys, whatever you can recommend- sizes, brands, suppliers, will be all appreciated. Thanks

 

[DetMatt1]

First off, welcome to the site from the Motor City! Second, does the car have a fender tag and/or build sheet? your car would have had either 15 x 7 Rallye wheels or painted steel wheels with dog dish hubcaps. Your build sheet will say which it had originally. What color combo is the car? Post up some pics, I personally would love to see your car and hear what you have planned for it. The '70 340 cars are my favorite Challengers.

 

[js29]

Another option was magnum 500's. like matt said build sheet, fender tag would tell that info. welcome aboard by the way

 

[challenger6pak]

I don't know if you could option the magnums on the A-66 car because the A-66 was a package that included 15 inch wheels. Only the build sheet would show it if it was possible.

 

[DetMatt1]

Yeah I think not on any 14" wheels for the A66.

 

[js29]

I know this is phill's thread but i like to learn as much as i can. from what you mat and 6pack are saying the magnum 500 wheels were ownly 14 inch and not in 15 inch. also i will be the first one to admit i know nothing about 340 challengers accept they were not R/T's in 1970

 

[challenger6pak]

I have not seen a 71 340 R/T with 14's either. For some reason Chrysler used 15's on 340 cars. Maybe it was for warranty purposes. The 15's would keep RPM's down.

 

[moparlee]

My 71 340 Challenger with build sheet is not an RT but is optioned like one. Rallye hood, rallye gauges, dual exhaust with tips, and HD suspension with 14" Rallye's.

 

[DetMatt1]

Once again I'm wishing I knew what came on my '71 vert originally, could have been steelies and wheelcovers for all I know. Although with original side stripes I'm guessing it was rallyes but 14 or 15"?

 

[challenger6pak]

My 71 vert came with the side stripes, 14 inch Challenger script wheel covers, white wall tires, and hood pins on the flat hood. Unfortunately, my build sheets for 3 of may cars were stolen. Seems that only 340 package cars had 15 inch wheels and 340 plain Challengers had anything you ordered.

 

[DetMatt1]

Is/was? Your vert a big block?

 

[challenger6pak]

No 318 factory, 440 since 1979, and new style hemi in the future. I brought it up because I don't think stripes meant Rallye wheels. Most build sheets I have seen have 14 inch wheels, even on R/T's. White wall tires are the most popular tire also. It is part of the reason I like the A-66 cars. They were different with larger wheels etc.

 

[DetMatt1]

So if you were a betting man would you say that a '71 383 4bbl vert with drums all the way around would have had a 14" wheel of some sort?

 

[challenger6pak]

Yes. From what I have seen. I have seen a lot and there is always an exception to the rule. I don't want to claim to be an expert. Trouble comes with that. My 70 383 RT 4 speed was factory 14 inch rallyes with white walls and heavy duty drum brakes. I had a N code 71 vert in the past and it was all drum brakes. I don't know what wheels came on it. My 71 Barracuda N code 4 speed vert had 14 inch rallyes and white walls from the factory. In the 70's, 15X7 was a large wheel.

 

[Phil]

So far my research has led me to believe that for my 1970 challenger RT clone, that does have an original 340 w/4 barrel, and a factory 4 speed, would have something of the nature of:
Front: 7" wheels with 4 1/2" back spacing. Average front tire recommendation 235 60R 15. Rears: 8" wheels with 4 1/2" backspacing. Rear tires: 275 60R 15. How does that sound to you guys? ( My current wheels are also 15")

 

[challenger6pak]

Sounds like you have an A-66 car. Why do you say it is a RT clone? The factory didn't use 8 inch wide wheels on the Challenger.

 

[DetMatt1]

They would have been 15 X 7s all the way around.

 

[Phil]

Sounds like you have an A-66 car. Why do you say it is a RT clone? The factory didn't use 8 inch wide wheels on the Challenger.

Thanks I didn't know it was probably an A-66. It has the decals of a RT, and with the scooped hood, 340 and 4 speed appears to be an attempt as a clone. Regarding the 8" wheels, I've been led to believe they would be required to mount 275's on the rear.

 

[challenger6pak]

Look for the code A66 on your fender tag.

 

[DetMatt1]

Does it have decals on the hood?