59 Hub or Wheel Problem?

[Bob S.]

I bought 2 used hubs at Carlisle that were supposedly from a 60 corvette. My plan was to clean them up and convert to roller bearings. When I placed the hub on my spare wheel it doesn't fit. The hub diameter is to large for the hole in the wheel. The wheel markings show K 186 in several places. The attached thumbnail is taken on the inside of the rim.

Do I have reproduction wheels that have the center hole too small (all 5 have the same problem) or is the hub from maybe a passenger car? Thanks, Sully

[John F.]

Re: 59 Hub or Wheel Problem?

Your hub looks a little rusty. I would take a wire wheel to it and a little Emory paper.

[Joe L.]

Re: 59 Hub or Wheel Problem?

I bought 2 used hubs at Carlisle that were supposedly from a 60 corvette. My plan was to clean them up and convert to roller bearings. When I placed the hub on my spare wheel it doesn't fit. The hub diameter is to large for the hole in the wheel. The wheel markings show K 186 in several places. The attached thumbnail is taken on the inside of the rim.

Do I have reproduction wheels that have the center hole too small (all 5 have the same problem) or is the hub from maybe a passenger car? Thanks, Sully

Sully------


Corvette wheels of the C1 period used 2 different size centerholes. 5" wide wheels used a centerhole of 2.91" whereas 5-1/2" wide wheels used a centerhole of 2.79". However, front hubs and rear axles should work with either size. If the centerhole on your wheels is smaller than 2.79", then there's a problem with the wheels. Otherwise, I think the suggestion to clean the hub center of rust is a good one. Passenger car wheels used the same two centerhole sizes.

[Bob S.]

Re: 59 Hub or Wheel Problem?

After cleaning it still won't go. The hub measures 2.794 but I don't have the capability to measure the center hole tonight. Anyway, it looks like I need to make a trip to my local wheel shop and have the center opened a bit.

[Jim L.]

Re: 59 Hub or Wheel Problem?

After cleaning it still won't go. The hub measures 2.794 but I don't have the capability to measure the center hole tonight. Anyway, it looks like I need to make a trip to my local wheel shop and have the center opened a bit.

Since the wheels are lug-centric, the size of the hub hole doesn't have to be precise. You can enlarge it yourself with any convenient grinding tool and a generous application of elbow grease.

[Joe L.]

Re: 59 Hub or Wheel Problem?

After cleaning it still won't go. The hub measures 2.794 but I don't have the capability to measure the center hole tonight. Anyway, it looks like I need to make a trip to my local wheel shop and have the center opened a bit.

Bob------


I'd still be very interested in what you find the precise diameter of the hole to be.

[Bill M.]

Re: 59 Hub or Wheel Problem?

My '59 hubs measure 2.79. (The '59 hubs were larger than the '58s.)
Original '59 wheels will fit those hubs.

[Bob S.]

Re: 59 Hub or Wheel Problem?

I was able to get a caliper that would fit down into the rim and the measurement is 2.79 also. There is only a few thousandths difference. It looks like a grinding wheel is the answer. I thought these were original wheel with rivets and the 59 stamp inside plus the letter 4. My car is a June car. I will admit though that I am far from the last person you want to ask on authenticity.

[Bill M.]

Re: 59 Hub or Wheel Problem?

I measured the hole on my '59 wheels and get 2.92. They are dogbone and here is a picture of the KH stamping:

[Joe L.]

Re: 59 Hub or Wheel Problem?

I measured the hole on my '59 wheels and get 2.92. They are dogbone and here is a picture of the KH stamping:

Bill------


This is a 5" wheel. As I mentioned, the 5" wheels have a center hole of 2.91" (which you may have measured at 2.92", possibly due to wear). The 5-1/2" wheels have a centerhole of 2.79" (actually 2.786").

[Joe L.]

Re: 59 Hub or Wheel Problem?

I was able to get a caliper that would fit down into the rim and the measurement is 2.79 also. There is only a few thousandths difference. It looks like a grinding wheel is the answer. I thought these were original wheel with rivets and the 59 stamp inside plus the letter 4. My car is a June car. I will admit though that I am far from the last person you want to ask on authenticity.

Bob------


I would not recommend using a grinding wheel. I would want to remove the MINIMUM amount of material necessary to get the hub to fit on the wheel. I think I'd go with fine emery cloth/paper, worked by hand.

[Jim L.]

Re: 59 Hub or Wheel Problem?

Bob------


I would not recommend using a grinding wheel. I would want to remove the MINIMUM amount of material necessary to get the hub to fit on the wheel. I think I'd go with fine emery cloth/paper, worked by hand.

Joe, are you envisioning the wheel being centered by the hub hole? It's not. The size of the hub hole doesn't matter as long as it's large enough to slip over the hub.

To put a finer point on how uncritical the hub hole size is: On a '54, for example, the hub hole is so much larger than the hub an allen wrench easily fits in between the two.

Or have I misunderstood your point?

Jim

[Joe L.]

Re: 59 Hub or Wheel Problem?

Joe, are you envisioning the wheel being centered by the hub hole? It's not. The size of the hub hole doesn't matter as long as it's large enough to slip over the hub.

To put a finer point on how uncritical the hub hole size is: On a '54, for example, the hub hole is so much larger than the hub an allen wrench easily fits in between the two.

Or have I misunderstood your point?

Jim

Jim------


No, you didn't miss my point. I agree that there are some wheels that are lug-centric. The early C1 with wheels that have centerholes of 2.91" must be lug centric since I don't think the hubs/axles have a center that large.

However, later C1 through C3 have hubs/axles which are within a few thousandths of the wheel centerhole. I just can't believe that this is just a coincidence. Whether, or not, the wheels are "officially" lug centric, I'd say it's a rather moot point----the hub or axle will center the wheel before a lug nut is even installed. In fact, I would be FAR more confident in the hub or axle centering the wheel than the lug bolts/nuts. Over time, much wear occurs in the wheel lug bolt holes and lug nut.

So, that's why I suggest that Bob not over-enlarge the centerholes. I'd want them no larger than specification, necessary or not.