YJ8 ALUMINUM WHEEL CODES

[GREGG PLAPAS]

Hi, I am trying in vain to date code the wheels on my 73 Vette, I have ordered publication after publication only to be disappointed that the information I seek is not even mentioned. The info I have aquired seems to be of an even later date than the wheels that are on my car.Can anyone here decode the following numbers to tell me the specific year of wheel I have?

KELSEY HAYES MADE IN MEXICO

STAMPING NUMBERS- KH-301008 , 320328 , SB3PC3 , 363768 , 5JJX800 and a DB stamp on the inner outside rim surface.All numbers were taken from the backside of the rim with some being casted into wheel and others steel stamped

All replies welcomed and thank you in advance
Gregg

[Craig S.]

Re: YJ8 ALUMINUM WHEEL CODES

Gregg - maybe someone else will know more, but the KH aluminum wheel option was cancelled and came out in 1977 do to quality problems, but the black book does show 4 cars were produced with this option, but I think they were all internal promotional cars. These wheels were VERY plentiful over the service counter, in fact I have a NOS set of KH wheels I bought through GM in the early 80's for my 74 project car. They are packed away so I can't verify stampings, but chances are you have a set of 77-79 wheels, through the service parts system. Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: YJ8 ALUMINUM WHEEL CODES

Gregg - your tank sticker would show for sure, if it is still on the car...either on the tank or above the guages in the instrument cluster...Craig

[GREGG PLAPAS]

Re: YJ8 ALUMINUM WHEEL CODES

Thanks Craig. The number I was told to look for was a 329381 with a XM stamp.As the one number I listed is 320328 with a DB stamp which I believe comes before this number---------------- I am at a loss! The tank sticker would be great, but that requires a lot more work than I would like to get into and I have no way of doing it myelf (dropping the gas tank), I would have to pay someone to do this.

Maybe someone can verify the date with a later post. Thanks for replying
Gregg

[Craig S.]

Re: YJ8 ALUMINUM WHEEL CODES

Gregg - I can't remember since my 74 has been apart for so long (I do have the tank stiker for it in pieces).....but my 67, you can open the gas tank door, and pry the rubber boot back on the left side, and peer in to see the sticker. I have my tank out of my 67 at the moment, but I was able to read all the options on my 67 with a small pocket light and peering at an angle, it might work with C3's too....Craig

[Harmon C.]

Re: YJ8 ALUMINUM WHEEL CODES

The lug nuts on real 73 wheels have a recessed center painted black also I have heard that the holes in the wheel are different size to fit above nuts. Also I think the real ones were made by Amercian wheel not in Mexico. Their is an NCRS article in one of the old Restorer Magazines about the wheels on Zoar's 74 which is in the Natoinal Corvette Museum in Bowling Green. I seen it in the back room and it had the special lugs. In the TIJG it states 329381-XM and the date cast in a circular pattern on a raised boss. Also you need documentation showing factory installation as per the judging guide if showing at a NCRS meet.I have seen the nuts at swap meets and wished I had bought one to check the size.

[Harmon C.]

The spare would be YJ8 also *NM*

[Tom Freeman]

Gregg, here you go.

Gregg,
Just checked my parts interchange manual and it is showing 363768 as used on the '76 Vette.

tom..


The '73 Spot

[GREGG PLAPAS]

Re: Gregg, here you go.

Thanks to all for the information supplied, and a special thanks to Tom at The 73 Spot. For those of you that have a 73 C3 and may not have visited Tom's site you really should. This is a great site devoted to the 73 C3 and is filled with a lot of great information, with back issues/period articles and more.

thanks again guy's
Gregg

[George C.]

Re: Gregg, here you go.

Hi Gregg, The wheels you want were made by American Racing Equipment of Torrance, California. Part number 329381 and the letters XM are cast on the back of hub. Good Luck, Save the Wave.>George