'63 Wheel Question

[Tom B.]

I'm trying to help a friend determine which wheels to try to find for his 1963 ZO6. If I am right I have determined that the original steel wheel for all 1963s was 3748348 which was a 15x5.5k carried over from the solid axles with big brakes. In August of '65 the part number was superceeded by 3839814 and in May of '66 it was superceeded by 3838080. This last number remained until the part was discontinued.

Can someone tell me what the physical differences in these wheels are (appearance and code stampings) and if the newer numbers would judge ok or take a points deduction.

Also Chicago Corvette has a wheel in their catalog that they list as:

1963-64 WHEEL - 15x5.5 steel (reconditioned original)

They show a part number of 3834127. That seems much too old of a part number to have been a 1963 wheel. Am I missing something? Anyone know the original application of this wheel?

I have searched my old parts books and can't find any listing for this wheel.

Thanks for your assistance,
Tom

[Bob R.]

Re: '63 Wheel Question

In 65 when the Corvette went to disc brakes the rim changed to allow clearance for the brakes. The older rims probably won't fit the 65 and newer. However the new rims will probably fit the older cars.

[Tom B.]

Re: '63 Wheel Question

Thanks for the reply Bob. That's what I told my friend that we didn't want to use the 1965 and newer wheel as the rim was reshaped to clear the caliper.

Tom

[Duke W.]

Re: '63 Wheel Question

According to the '63 AIM the '63 wheel is 3834127, which superceeded the 3825626 wheel according to a note in the engineering change record dated 8-29-62, so it's unlikely that the 626 was ever installed on a production '63.

Replacment wheels listed in my '77 vintage Corvette P&A catalog are 3837080 (15 x 5.5K) for 57-64 and 3860156 (15 X 5.50K) for 65-66.

The parts catalog data may be a bit confusilng, but it appears that a later version functionally equivalent steel wheel replaced the originally installed part number for service needs.

I'm quite certain that the original '63 wheel is NOT the same as the optional 5.5" wheel from the solid axle era, but both these and the original '63 wheels are relatively rare.

If your friend does not have a '63 AIM or shop manual, he would be well advised to procure them.

Duke

[Stephen G.]

Re: '63 Wheel Question

If you look on the back (not the hubcap side) of the 63 wheel you will see that it is conical in shape. That is, a smooth taper from the inside to the outside. For 64 and up there is a step in that taper towards the outside of the wheel. The step was to accomodate disk brakes.

I'm not sure about the Z06 setup but normally a 62 wheel will not fit a 63. The 64 wheel will work on the 63 but not be correct.

Also all of the 63 wheels are stamped (inside - like you cannot see it with a tire mounted) with the Kelsey Hayes logo, the size (15x5.5), "63", and then a month stamp (i.e. "9") off to the side somewhere.

[Tom B.]

Re: '63 Wheel Question

Thanks for straightening me out guys. It seems as if my research was somewhat flawed. I now realize that 3838080 replaced more than one wheel and that I have a gap in my reference material. I was using a Sept '75 parts catalog, a 1960 parts catalog and a December 1, 1973 Chevrolet Parts History (P&A 30H, Jan.1,1965 thru Dec,1, 1973) book. I followed the 3838080 back and the trail led to the solid axle 5.5 wheel. No mention of 3834127 which must have been superceeded some time after December 1, 1973. I have a 1972 partrs catalog down in the archives (mass of books in boxes) that I had better go dig out. Might fill in the blanks.

Since these 3834127 wheels are so hard to find would you suggest that a purchase of these "Reconditioned" ones from Chicago Corvette at $224.95 ea. would be a worthwhile investment? I realize that the date code probably wouldn't match but as has been said you can't see that with the tire on.

Thanks again.
Tom

[Stephen G.]

Re: '63 Wheel Question

Tom

I'm still on the hunt for mine. They are out there. I just paid $ 85 for a perfect one in Orlando last week. Two aisles up a guy had 2 more for $ 175 each. Needless to say they never sold. The going (reasonable) price seems to be $ 100 each. Paragon sells the repro for around $ 100 as well.

Steve

[Tom B.]

Re: '63 Wheel Question

That does seem much more reasonable. Thanks. I'll pass this along.

Tom