Kelsey Hayes Knock Off has anyone noticed...?

[John R.]

Have a few photos to share.

1st is that a factory wheel weight or not? It is on a 66 dated knock off.

2nd have you ever noticed on the 63-64 wheels the mold casting drips/marks coming out of the holes in the back of the wheel. They appear every every 9th hole. All my 63-64 wheels have the same casting drips/marks. None of my 65-66 wheels have this feature.

3rd have you ever noticed on 66 wheels the K in the K-H 49885 casting has part of the K missing. Look at the left leg of the K. All of my 66 dated wheels have this piece missing in the casting. Part of the 9 is missing as well.

4th is a 63-64 wheel, no date stamp, with the K and the 9 fully intact, regarding the K-H 49885 casting. Its casting is perfect

Just some observations. Does anyone know what year and month the K and 9 developed the missing parts???? Have you ever noticed any other differences between the 63-64 rims and the 65-66.

I also have an over the counter, dated 68 that has some slight variations as well.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Kelsey Hayes Knock Off has anyone noticed...?

Here's a Feb '66 car #13162; no evidence of casting flaws. Have you noticed, in my pic, the (inspector) stamp "T" in the corner of the cartouche ? Sometimes you see more than one. I'll check my other four wheels, but they're all within a day of this one; either B 1 3 or B 1 4.



u

[Bill W.]

Re: Kelsey Hayes Knock Off has anyone noticed...?

John,
That is not a factory wheel weight, it's a later weight from a maker of mag/aluminum wheels. The original weights have a slightly different contour on the metal spring. The stamping on the front will have the weight on either end and the letters (AL) cast (raised) in the center. There is a article in "Corvette News) many years ago showing good pictures and listing the GM part number for the weights. These have been unavailable for years. Bill

[Bill W.]

Re: Kelsey Hayes Knock Off has anyone noticed...?

John,
I forgot to mention that OEM weights used 1964 thru 1967 were attached on the inner rim only. I seem to remember that someone may have reproed these, but the price was high. Bill