Has anyone had experience installing wheels and tires on a 59 Catalina that has a disc brake conversion kit?

Do I need to install 15 inch wheels to account for the calipers?

What size tires were used?

 

Thanks!

welcome i wouldnt know, but have a chat to the copmpany who are supplying your disc conversion, their experance should be able to direct you 

Welcome! I second what Kiwi said. With that said I am doing a disk brake conversion right now to my 63". Everything that I read said I had to use 15" or larger disk brake rims. I currently have 17s on my car and the rear tires fit with no issues. I can't speak of the front since they won't be installed till later this week. Good luck.

I believe that 15s are a minimum requirement.

Thanks for all the responses, I did contact MP Brake to get their recommendation.

Decided to go with 15" with 215 70 R15 whitewalls.

Correction on the year of the car. It's a 1959 Catalina...uggh apologize

So now that that's all sorted out, you got any pictures? We love Pontiac pics around here! 

Yes we ceratinly would like to see your 59 !!

Here it is, I just got it a few months ago.

Still trying to get it on the  road.

Wow, yet another excellent example of Pontiac style.   Welcome to the site and thankz for the pic's!

Yeahhhh that's one fine 59' bro! Thanks for the pics.

wayyy cool 59 

 are you taking your 8 lugger off ?

I will be curious to know what MP Brake recommends. Every disc conversion I’ve ever read about says that 15” wheels are usually the minimum size, depending on the size of the rotor and caliper (typically 10 or 11 inch rotors necessitate a 15” wheel.  Larger rotors or tall/multi-piston calipers will force you into even larger wheel sizes.

The other thing to consider is offset in order to clear the clippers from hitting the rim. A stock 15” wheel may not have enough offset. 

Edited May 31, 20233 yr by Frosty

@64 Kiwi Bobby Thanks sir! and yes I'm removing the 8 wheel lugs. They look cool but weren't offered until 19 60 so i figured no harm in going to the original 5 lug pattern and at the same time upgrade the front to disc.

@Frosty, MPBrake recommends 15" rims. The rims I'm ordering have a +3mm offset. Hopefully they'll fit over the calipers

  Roadk01, it’s always been my understanding that the 8-lug wheel option became available late in the ‘59 model year but was never installed at the factory, only over the counter until the 1960 model year.  According to POCI, they are technically considered correct for 1959.

    Interestingly,  Roush made an 8-lug looking disc brake conversion, but I don’t think it is available anymore. Probably pricey.  Maybe someone else has more info on this.

   Forgot to mention that you have a great car.  Is it an original Tri-Power car?  Automatic or manual transmission?

@31Pontiac, thanks!

Yes it’s an original Tri power with the 3 speed hydramatic.

 

interesting trivia on the 8 lug availability. So the factory didn’t offer them until 60 but you could buy kits basically after market?

4 hours ago, Roadk01 said:

@31Pontiac, thanks!

Yes it’s an original Tri power with the 3 speed hydramatic.

 

interesting trivia on the 8 lug availability. So the factory didn’t offer them until 60 but you could buy kits basically after market?

I personally love them!, not only do they look great, people have no idea of what they are.... AND my 64 has the best brakes i have ever had on a drum/drum car. ( my 59 caddy brakes are not as good as the 8 luggers! )

mind you, i have completely rebuilt themincluding painting each drum and hand polishing each blade

Edited June 1, 20233 yr by 64 kiwi boni