Steel Wheel codes

[Eugene G.]

Can anyone shed some light regarding the codes on these wheels? These are steel wheels with the codes on the outside.
Three of them have the same codes, the fourth is a little different. The three have: K 483 2 (valve stem) 16 UN. The K483 is repeated on the spider section with 28 A also stamped. The fourth has K 489 7 (valve stem) 17 UN.
I have looked through all of Colvin's books. He mentions that the first number after K indicates 1, 2 or 3 for the factory. These have a 4. Also his books only cover up to 1975 for Chevrolet passenger cars.
I think these wheels may be from 1978, but that's just a guess.
I'm trying to find wheels that will fit a 64. Originals are out of sight!
Thanks
Gene Gamache 5884

[Wendel H.]

Re: Steel Wheel codes

Gene/ not corvette wheels/K4 philadelphia plant/UN code closest match with a "U" is 15X7 camaro/ philadelphia:1983:Feb 16:UN camaro

[Loren L.]

Re: Steel Wheel codes

Dare one ask what you think is a "reasonable" for correct '64 wheels? for service replacement "8080"s? Advertised "reproduction" 65-6 wheels are priced at $600 for a set of 4? Is that "reasonable"?

[Edward J.]

Re: Steel Wheel codes

Gene, Corvette specialties of Maryland will soon be making the 63/64 steel wheels there are likely many waiting for the day to come, I think I Will put my name on his list as the are stupid money for the originals.

[Edward J.]

Re: Steel Wheel codes

Dare one ask what you think is a "reasonable" for correct '64 wheels? for service replacement "8080"s? Advertised "reproduction" 65-6 wheels are priced at $600 for a set of 4? Is that "reasonable"?

Loren, from what I have seen the used wheels are about 500. to 600. each. Ouch!!

[Eugene G.]

Re: Steel Wheel codes

thank you for all the responses.

[David L.]

Re: Steel Wheel codes

Can anyone shed some light regarding the codes on these wheels? These are steel wheels with the codes on the outside.
Three of them have the same codes, the fourth is a little different. The three have: K 483 2 (valve stem) 16 UN. The K483 is repeated on the spider section with 28 A also stamped. The fourth has K 489 7 (valve stem) 17 UN.
I have looked through all of Colvin's books. He mentions that the first number after K indicates 1, 2 or 3 for the factory. These have a 4. Also his books only cover up to 1975 for Chevrolet passenger cars.
I think these wheels may be from 1978, but that's just a guess.
I'm trying to find wheels that will fit a 64. Originals are out of sight!
Thanks
Gene Gamache 5884

Gene,

Your 15" X 6" steel wheels stamped "UN" are GM # 14042634 that were used on 1983-1990 Chevrolet S10 2WD trucks as per my 1982-1990 Chevrolet S10 Parts Catalog. I also have a pair of very nice 15" X 6" "UN" wheels in my garage attic. I'm sure that they could be used on 1963-1964, 1965-1966, and 1967 Corvettes but the offset is not the same. The offset of 1963-1964 and 1965-1966 Corvette 15" X 5 1/2" steel wheels is +0.44" (backspacing measures about 3.72", rounded off to about 3 3/4"). The offset of 1967 Corvette 15" X 6" steel wheels is +0.06".

I just measured one of my 15" X 6" "UN" S10 wheels (stamped "K 4 83 6 valve hole 4 UN" or June 4, 1983).
Gross width = 7.0" and back spacing measures 3 7/16" or 3.44".
Offset = 3.44" - (7.0" / 2) = 3.44" - 3.50" = -0.06" (This is a negative offset)

If the "UN" wheels were mounted on my 1966 Corvette the wheel tracking would increase about 1.0" (or 0.44" +0.06" = 0.50" on each side) from 56.8" to 57.8" on the front and from 57.6" to 58.6" on the rear axle. If the "UN" wheels were mounted on a 1967 Corvette the wheel tracking would increase about 0.24" (or 0.06 + 0.06" = 0.12" on each side).

Dave