Rear tire/body clearance on Model A Coupe

Im starting do some mock up on my '29 coupe project and could use some expertise from fellow HAMBers. This is a very slooooow project due to funding. Imagine that... Its also my very first build. Anyway, I have a 9 inch rear end that I want to center the pumpkin on. Which would require taking 2 1/2 inches from the driver side tube. I also think it make the gap between the body and tires look much better. Before I get to carried away, can someone give me some advice on how much clearance seems to be just right between the tires and the body? I dont want it to rub when the rear end articulates. Thanks in advance.

 

First off, are those the ACTUAL size/backspace wheels and tires you will be running? Make sure you take that into account!

 

Yes, I definitely have that in mind. Good call! Im hoping to find a baseline of opinions from experience to see what distance people are keeping the tire from the body at its closest point. That way I can choose the correct backspace for wheels after altering the rear end. Thank you Tman.

 

I have a little over 1 inch between my tire sidewall and the quarter panel. Hasn't touched and seems fine. I wouldn't go any closer though...

 

I narrowed both sides on my 9" and centered the pinion, i only have a 1/2" on each side wtih a 4 link and panhard bar, it very seldem rubs in 5000 miles, but that is what i wanted. I would suggest about 1" on each side.

 

Thank you guys! Thats exactly what I was looking for! Absolutely awesome cars by the way.

 

You can also jack up your car and put 2x4s under one of the rear tires simulating going in a driveway etc., and see how much your clearance changes.

 

Yea, this is an old thread. But I'd like to get some input and maybe some pics from the rear on some A's here.
-Pat

 

Also remember that when setting up the tire in the fenderwell if you run fenders have the fenders on when you set up the rearend.

 

OK, heres where I'm at, 8" ford rear with adaptors to fit my 35 wires with 7.50x16 firestones. (all mock up so far not actually under my 30A. The inside tire bulge to the other tire inside bulge measures 52" Does anyone know if that'll look OK or will it be too spread out for the body? Any thoughts would be greatly appriciated.
-Pat

 

ttt for day shift.
-Pat

 

If you can ultimately reach your arm down between the tire and the wheelwell and touch the axle housing, you should be good. These things don't have much suspension travel and most is "up and down". Better, appearance wise, that it's close (without rubbing under max. travel) than too far out from the body. That can tend to get kinda hokey looking if extreme. Just my random uneducated thoughts.

 

If you only have a 1/2 inch do you slap your body if you get a flat?

Dreddybear- have you had a flat?

 

Funny thing is nobody takes pics of the back of their cars. The shots are always 3/4 or on an angle.
-Pat

 

..............................So true. Can someone help this guy out with a dead-on from the rear shot.

 

Here's a dead on back shot from kind of recently. As you see I switched wheels which changed the spacing a tad. There's about just under 2" between the tire and the qtr panel.

 

Thanks guys for the Help.
Anyone else got a rear shot?
-Pat

 

attached....

 

That's a 2WD S-10 axle, 47" between backing plates, 235/70R15 tires, as I recall the wheel backspace is 3 inches. I have about an inch between the tire and wheelwell.

 

Thanks Fenders!
-Pat

 

I have 1 1/4" and it never hits.

 

I can just get my arm between slicks and quarter panel. This looks good and never touches!

 

S10 rear with 1" adapters to go from 4 3/4" to 5 1/2" bolt pattern...

 

Lookin' great, Milo.

 

Moby, Mikey ,scrap metal and lothiandonl,,
Thanks guys for you assistance in this issue. I think now that I'll be OK with the 66 mustang rear,7/8" adaptors and my 35 wires on 750x16 firestones.
Thanks again,
-Pat

 

Here's mine without centering the 9 inch

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Hey "pat59", the s10 rear is 54.5" backing plate to backing plate and with the 1" adapters makes it 56.5".. Hope this helps...

 

And the orig. model a is just over 50" backing plate to backing plate.Right? What's The wheel off set that you're running?gotta be 3-3.5.
-Pat

 

They are stock 48 Merc rims 5" wide...

 

Looks good.
-Pat