That would work perfect actually. 17x8's with ~6" of backspace (+38 offset) a set of 255/45/17's and you should have plenty of clearance to the quarters and the springs. With that set up you have about a 1/4" either way to mess with, so anything from ~5.75" to ~6.25" should work for the backspacing. Maxed out would be a set of 17x9's with ~6.5" of backspace (still a +38 offset) with 275/40/17's. The 275's will be tight on a stock car though, so if your car sits low it will depend on body tolerances.
I run a set of 295/35/18's on my Duster with a 68-70 B body 8 3/4, on 18x10's with a +38 offset (7" backspace). But I have a 1/2" spring offset and cut about a 1/2" off the quarter lips to clear those. That's why the offset measurement is so handy, it keeps the wheel centered even as the wheel widths change. Because I have an extra 1/2" on either side you just use the +38 offset number, run a narrower rim and tire to get back the 1/2" I have that you don't, and go from there.