63 falcon 17 inch wheel question

[black63falcon]

Hi everyone i have a 1963 falcon heidts front end and im currently putting a 9 inch in the rear. My problem is im looking to run 17 inch wheels and i dont know the correct offset so i dont have rubbing issues,i know that it will probably have to be a 17x7 wheel but if anyone can help please let me know!!!! Thanks everyone ill post pics of it later

[yank with ute]

7" wide wheel won't fit inside the stock rear wheel house. Been there, done that.

It's not that hard to take the measurements that will provide the answer to your question about wheel offset. In fact there is a product on the market (Jeg's catalog) that can be purchased, but you can do without.

Set the rear of the car on a jack stand. Remove one wheel and place a straight edge against the surface of the brake drum that the back of the wheel contacts. That will establish where the back of the wheel HAS TO BE.

Now, measure from the side of the straigh edge touching the brake drum to the inside and outside of the wheel house. That will tell you the extreme width of tire that can be placed withoin the wheel house. As I recall a G70 14" tire would rub heavily if the car was carrying two people but I can't recall the actual width of a G70 (haven't seen one since the 70's!).

You base the wheel offset on the measurement from the straightedge and inside wheel house measurement. Of course-

- the wheel house narrows in width betweenthe wheel "arch"/"opening" and the top of the wheelhouse.

- when the car hits a bump the tires move upward in the wheelhouse.

- the rear axle tends to shift position outwards when the car corners.

As for the front end, make the same measurements from the straightedge to whatever comes close to the straightedge. Off hand I'd say the tire is going to hit the inner wheel/firewall if it is on a 7' wide wheel.

But what do I know...

[black63falcon]

Well when i bought the car it had 98 mustang gt wheels on the front and they are 17x8 and there wasnt any rubbing issues. As for the back im kinda lost cause there isnt a whole lot of people putting 17's on a 63 falcon! Damn what to do

[yank with ute]

What hub is on the front that the car has a metric bolt pattern late Mustang wheel? New one on me.

[black63falcon]

its got mustang 2 front suspension on it! Standard ford bolt pattern no metric

[yank with ute]

Okay, that's how you are getting by with the Mustang wheel on the front. Have to admit I wasn't aware that the bolt pattern wasn't metric, must have bben thinking of the four bolt Mustang front end.

[black63falcon]

If ya look at my avatar you can see them on there ill try posting some pics this weekend! They definelty wont fit on the rear cause the offset is fwd!!!

[thekarnut]

Originally Posted by black63falcon

Hi everyone i have a 1963 falcon heidts front end and im currently putting a 9 inch in the rear. My problem is im looking to run 17 inch wheels and i dont know the correct offset so i dont have rubbing issues,i know that it will probably have to be a 17x7 wheel but if anyone can help please let me know!!!! Thanks everyone ill post pics of it later

I think you have the need for speed enough to minitub.
cut the springs perches off. switch sides for them. bolt a angle iron rear crossmember to the existing rear threaded spring perches. Move the springs in 5 1/4 inward this way.
Cut the wheel wells inner clams out as whole as possible.
tack welt them in place. take an approx 7" wide by length of wheel well opening and fill in by spot welding. later seam seal welds.

Cut spring perches on 9" and reposition hsg at about 1.5degreesdown position on pumpkin to driveline vector. with perches free but trapped by u bolts. Reweld perches.

You get about 11 1/4 width with way with 8" standard 15 with 4 1/2 offset 60's style wheels or magnums etc.

You should also radius the outside of the wheel well openings.

IF ALL OF THIS SEEMS TOO DRASTIC...just do the measurments for wheel well openings as per suggestions about Jeg's instruction/product. I have seen 7" wheels under stock wheel wells, but you need firm shocks and the car can't be dropped much at all. ALSO, the tire width will be more like 7 1/2 inch total.

Sorry,, the news is not great. But what do I know anyway. Keep positive there may be a solution that works for you way easier.

Good luck.

BTW, this method is better easier on wagons, delivery's and ranchos.

[black63falcon]

Well the minitub route has crossed my mind ........However radiusing the wheel wells has not !!!!!! Radiusing the wheel wells looks like poo!!!!!!!! Illl get them under there (17's) somehow!!!