Mystery Steel Wheels

[Jace H.]

Can anyone tell me what these steel wheel codes mean and what kind of car these were originally installed on? All four wheels have the raised nubs by the valve stem hole and are 6" wheels.

The letters next to the valve stem hole read:

"C" valve stem hole "FL"
"7 15 6" valve stem hole "27 FL"
"12" valve stem hole "FL"

Thanks in advance!
Jace

[Wayne M.]

Re: Mystery Steel Wheels

Colvin's Chev by the Numbers book 1970-75 says FL rims are for 1975 Chevelle (and maybe beyond); they're 15 x 6". I ran one of these as my spare for many years. No clearance problems on Corvette disc brakes. Not sure about your codes, though. For wheels manufactured at a Kelsey Hayes plant, it's usually (example format) K 1 5 ___ 6 _ (valve hole)_ 27__FL. Translates to Kelsey, plant: Romulus Michigan, year: 1975, month: June, (hole), Day: 27th, code FL.

So if your "7" is a "K", the second example you give seems to follow the known pattern.

[Jace H.]

Re: Mystery Steel Wheels

Thanks Wayne but I can't find a "K" anywhere on these wheels. I am assuming should be no issues running these on a 64 drum brake car?

[Doug L.]

Re: Mystery Steel Wheels

65 corvette wheel.JPG15x5-12K aa.JPGI can't answer your question and I think the answer will depend on the offset and also the profile. The '63 and '64 Corvette wheels have a "cone" shape profile. The '65 Corvette wheel has a squared-off profile. It makes sense to me that the disc brake assembly starting in 1965 required more clearance and resulted in the change in profile. When I bought my '64 it had what I later determined were 1965 wheels. Because I planned to have the car judged I bought a set of correct 1964 wheels. I can tell you that both wheels fit and have no clearance issues but yours is not a '65 Corvette wheel, so unless you can determine how it compares with a '64 or '65 you'll have to try it to find out.

1964 Corvette wheels were 5-1/2 x 15. Here are photos of a 65 (left) and 64 (right) wheel.

You might try an e-mail to Wendell. He has been doing a study on Corvette wheels. Wjhdyno@aol.com

[Wayne M.]

Re: Mystery Steel Wheels

Thanks Wayne but I can't find a "K" anywhere on these wheels. I am assuming should be no issues running these on a 64 drum brake car?

Jace --- sorry for the late reply. Since these were standard on a '75 Chevelle, which I believe had (at least) drum brakes on the rear, I would expect that they would fit the '64 Corvette with drums. You should be able to find 'FL's in a junk yard for under $10 a piece. Heck, if you were my next door neighbor, I'd almost GIVE you a set of five 'RF's which are also 15 x 6 and currently roll on my '65, after I parked my knock-offs. [I have the correct 'JK's but just too lazy to get them mounted].

[Jace H.]

Re: Mystery Steel Wheels

Thanks for the info and photos Doug. I think I am going to look at some of the newer direct bolt on knock off wheels. Do you have a suggestion as to who makes the most accurate wheel today?

Jace

[Doug L.]

Re: Mystery Steel Wheels

Hi Jace,
I have no experience with KO wheels. Both sets I have for my '64 are steel, one set correct '64s and the other '65s. I see originals and repros advertised in Driveline, and of course on EBay, from time to time. I think there was also an article in the most recent Restorer about KO wheels. You might want to search this forum or post a new question about them. I would caution you again about the offset of the wheel you use and also about tire size, especially if you are using one as a spare. The tire tub on C2s is very sensitive to wheel circumfrence and profile. I had an original bias ply, 6.70 x 15 Firestone that would not fit in the tub. I now have an original BFG Silvertown that fits nicely. I think you'll find a lot of discussions on this forum about tires.

Doug

Thanks for the info and photos Doug. I think I am going to look at some of the newer direct bolt on knock off wheels. Do you have a suggestion as to who makes the most accurate wheel today?

Jace