C2: 67 wheels 3968773 FI marking

[Terry B.]

I have a set of 15x6 JK rally wheels with the original GM 3968773 sticker inside (67 part number?). However they are coded with a FI. These were purchased over the counter as 67 rally wheels but do not have the DC code? The date code is K14 4 (valve stem hole) 19 FI. Is it a common practice for GM parts department to substitute wheels? Were FI wheels ever used on 67 Vettes?

[Michael H.]

Re: C2: 67 wheels 3968773 FI marking

I have a set of 15x6 JK rally wheels with the original GM 3968773 sticker inside (67 part number?). However they are coded with a FI. These were purchased over the counter as 67 rally wheels but do not have the DC code? The date code is K14 4 (valve stem hole) 19 FI. Is it a common practice for GM parts department to substitute wheels? Were FI wheels ever used on 67 Vettes?

Terry, I don't remember the exact original part number for 67 wheels but the number you have definitely isn't the original. I vaguely remember the number as 3908xxx, quite a bit lower numerically. (I don't have the original number here)
As I remember, the original wheel/number was replaced by some other numerically higher number. The new number that you have would be something that was used in about 1969. Also possible that the 3968773 was originally a pass car wheel??

[Terry B.]

Re: C2: 67 wheels 3968773 FI marking

Part number may have changed over the years but 3968773 is the one listed for 67 in the 1953 thru 1982 GM Corvette parts catalog. It also list the wheel as welded and these wheels I have are riveted. The wheels appear to be 3968733 per my recent reseach on the internet, full size passenger car application?

[Wayne M.]

Re: C2: 67 wheels 3968773 FI marking

I have a set of 15x6 JK rally wheels with the original GM 3968773 sticker inside (67 part number?). However they are coded with a FI. These were purchased over the counter as 67 rally wheels but do not have the DC code? The date code is K14 4 (valve stem hole) 19 FI. Is it a common practice for GM parts department to substitute wheels? Were FI wheels ever used on 67 Vettes?

Let me take a crack; the only FI code I see is for FACTORY 1970 Chevrolet "B" RPO Wagon, Rally (whatever that all means). They are a 15 x 6 JK (which agrees with yours). This is from A.Colvin's '70-75 Chevy numbers book. Now for the dating: the part # tag probably indicates SERVICE, and the K-1-4 means Kelsey Hayes, Romulus MI, 1974, 4th month (April) /valve hole/ 19 (19th April) FI is wheel design, as above.

Colvin's table provides offset (0.06") same as '67 Covette rims, and is otherwise dimensionally identical.

[William C.]

Re: C2: 67 wheels 3968773 FI marking

Parts book dated Aug 1, 1968 lists P/N 3901698 for '67-68 1st design Corvette wheels.

[Michael H.]

Re: C2: 67 wheels 3968773 FI marking

Parts book dated Aug 1, 1968 lists P/N 3901698 for '67-68 1st design Corvette wheels.

Yup, same 3901698 as my 1969 printing of the parts book. I suspect the original number in the 67 AIM is the same, or possibly one number off. The 3901698 is still shown as available in a 72 printing of the parts book so it had to change some time after that.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2: 67 wheels 3968773 FI marking

I have a set of 15x6 JK rally wheels with the original GM 3968773 sticker inside (67 part number?). However they are coded with a FI. These were purchased over the counter as 67 rally wheels but do not have the DC code? The date code is K14 4 (valve stem hole) 19 FI. Is it a common practice for GM parts department to substitute wheels? Were FI wheels ever used on 67 Vettes?

Terry----


As others have noted, the original 1967 wheels were GM #3901698. These were discontinued in July, 1972 and replaced by the GM #3968773 wheel you have. These wheels were, indeed, coded "FI" and originally used for some 1969-1970 Chevrolet station wagons.

The 3968773 wheels were discontinued without supercession in August, 1995.

[John H.]

Re: C2: 67 wheels 3968773 FI marking

Yup, same 3901698 as my 1969 printing of the parts book. I suspect the original number in the 67 AIM is the same, or possibly one number off. The 3901698 is still shown as available in a 72 printing of the parts book so it had to change some time after that.

The production '67 rally wheel was #3901697 (supplied in raw steel); the 3901698 service wheel most likely has the different part number due to its being supplied painted (so they didn't rust in storage).

[Terry B.]

Re: C2: 67 wheels 3968773 FI marking

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply.

Terry