[DeTomaso] Front Wheel Well "Sweet Spot"?

[cengles at cox.net]

Dear Wayne,
I have two 1974 Panteras #7171 &7191. I have 17 x9 wheels up front on both of them. One has 255-40-17 and the other has 245-40-17. The bigger tires required some very gentle tweaking of the outside fender lip, but have given no problems. The *smaller* tires are on the Pantera with 5.5 degrees positive caster and that put the tire to within 1/4'' on the upper front fender lip, which finally snagged it (sigh) and will require the same gentle tweaking of the other car. Both cars rub the inner left fender well in the back on low speed parking lot full lock reverse manuevers.
I had another set of 17 inch wheels with signficant clearance problems and it turned out that they had the wrong offset on the front. I got rid of those and bought the others from Dennis Quella so they were spot on correct.
What year is your Pantera? The earlier ones are supposed to have a bit less front space for wider wheels and tires.......
I suspect that with 17 x 8" wheels and 235-40 tires that you may have an incorrect offset.
Warmest regards, Chuck Engles





---- Wayne Stevens <lwstevens at yahoo.com> wrote:
>Where is the sweet spot for optimal clearance of tire
>to the front of the wheel well? I have 235-40-17's on
>the front with 8" wide Boyds and the rub BAD. Tried
>two different heights and they both suck! Also need
>to know the ideal backspace offset. Wayne - [Can only
>drive in a staight line in Maryland].
>
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