Is this a 1963 steel wheel? - NCRS Discussion Boards

Is this a 1963 steel wheel?

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  • Michael B.
    Expired
    • October 26, 2012
    • 28

    Is this a 1963 steel wheel?

    I realize these two pictures can't tell the whole story, but I am trying to figure out if this is an original '63-'64 Corvette wheel. I know the tapered back side cross section is the easiest way to tell, and the seller is likely getting me that info in a couple days. But I want to save him the trouble if its obvious this is not a '63 wheel. It is a 15" rim.

    It may also be a '65-'66 wheel, but I wasn't sure if you needed to see the backside of the wheel to tell the difference.

    Supposedly there are the two little nubs near the valve stem hole. You can kinda tell that in the pic.

    Thanks for any info you can provide.

    Mike



  • Michael G.
    Extremely Frequent Poster
    • January 1, 1997
    • 1251

    #2
    Re: Is this a 1963 steel wheel?

    Originally posted by Michael L Bailey (55613)
    I realize these two pictures can't tell the whole story, but I am trying to figure out if this is an original '63-'64 Corvette wheel. I know the tapered back side cross section is the easiest way to tell, and the seller is likely getting me that info in a couple days. But I want to save him the trouble if its obvious this is not a '63 wheel. It is a 15" rim.

    It may also be a '65-'66 wheel, but I wasn't sure if you needed to see the backside of the wheel to tell the difference.

    Supposedly there are the two little nubs near the valve stem hole. You can kinda tell that in the pic.

    Thanks for any info you can provide.

    Mike
    Pics are quite poor to dole out an opinion but hear goes. It appears the wheel has capability of accept a hub cap (not to confused with wheel cover). To my knowledge no mid year Corvette wheel had this provision. I say no.

    Comment

    • David L.
      Expired
      • July 31, 1980
      • 3310

      #3
      Re: Is this a 1963 steel wheel?

      Mike,

      It might be an original 63-64 Corvette wheel since it is a 15" wheel. The 63-64 Corvette wheels (15" X 5 1/2" K, 2 25/32" hub hole) do have the "nubs" so you can install the small hub caps. The 63 Chev. Police cars also used the same wheel (as per my 1963 Chev. Parts Catalog- Oct. 1963) along with small hub caps.

      IF it turns out to be an optional 57-62 Corvette wheel (15" X 5 1/2" K, possibly 2 29/32" hub hole, riveted, and a slightly larger valve hole) it's worth a lot more than a 63-64 Corvette wheel. I have never seen one of these wheels.

      The 65-66 Corvette wheels (15" X 5 1/2" JK, 2 25/32" hub hole) do not have "nubs" for the small hub caps and the rim cross section is shaped so disc brakes can be used.

      You can measure the gross width of the wheel with the tire still on using 2 very straight narrow boards about 16" long, one placed directly up against the wheel on each side (not touching the tire) while measuring thru the center hole. If it is a 5 1/2" wheel the gross width would measure about 6 9/16"+/- (see my sketch below). A second pair of hands helps with this method of measuring.

      Dave
      Attached Files
      Last edited by David L.; December 25, 2012, 01:54 AM.

      Comment

      • Mike E.
        Extremely Frequent Poster
        • February 28, 1975
        • 5138

        #4
        Re: Is this a 1963 steel wheel?

        Checklist:
        15"
        5 1/2 wide
        Needs to be welded.
        small valve stem hole
        Double bumps next to valve stem hole
        63-64 center spider has retainers for hubcap, 65/66 does not
        proper taper on back. 63-64 will not clear caliper, 65-66 will
        circumferential depression to help seat tire bead to rim.
        proper smaller center hole where wheel fits over hub

        That should be a good start. From the pics, one can't confirm that it is correct, but it does appear to have a number of those characteristics. It is not a 57-62 wheel.

        Comment

        • Michael G.
          Extremely Frequent Poster
          • January 1, 1997
          • 1251

          #5
          Re: Is this a 1963 steel wheel?

          Originally posted by David Liukkonen (3775)
          Mike,

          It might be an original 63-64 Corvette wheel since it is a 15" wheel. The 63-64 Corvette wheels (15" X 5 1/2" K, 2 25/32" hub hole) do have the "nubs" so you can install the small hub caps. The 63 Chev. Police cars also used the same wheel (as per my 1963 Chev. Parts Catalog- Oct. 1963) along with small hub caps.

          IF it turns out to be an optional 57-62 Corvette wheel (15" X 5 1/2" K, possibly 2 29/32" hub hole, riveted, and a slightly larger valve hole) it's worth a lot more than a 63-64 Corvette wheel. I have never seen one of these wheels.

          The 65-66 Corvette wheels (15" X 5 1/2" JK, 2 25/32" hub hole) do not have "nubs" for the small hub caps and the rim cross section is shaped so disc brakes can be used.

          You can measure the gross width of the wheel with the tire still on using 2 very straight narrow boards about 16" long, one placed directly up against the wheel on each side (not touching the tire) while measuring thru the center hole. If it is a 5 1/2" wheel the gross width would measure about 6 9/16"+/- (see my sketch below). A second pair of hands helps with this method of measuring.

          Dave
          Thanks for the education.

          Comment

          • Michael B.
            Expired
            • October 26, 2012
            • 28

            #6
            Re: Is this a 1963 steel wheel?

            Yes, thanks everyone for your response. I'll let you know what they end up being. (hopefully)

            Mike

            Comment

            • Chuck G.
              Extremely Frequent Poster
              • May 31, 1982
              • 2034

              #7
              Re: Is this a 1963 steel wheel?

              Here are some pictures that might help, especially on the rear side.


              To give credit, I believe I "pirated" the diagram picture from John Hinckley. For some reason, it won't upload, so you'll have to click the link.

              Chuck
              Attached Files
              1963 Corvette Conv. 327/360 NCRS Top Flight
              2006 Corvette Conv. Velocity Yellow NCRS Top Flight
              1956 Chevy Sedan. 350/4 Speed Hot Rod

              Comment

              • Tracy C.
                Expired
                • July 31, 2003
                • 2739

                #8
                Re: Is this a 1963 steel wheel?

                It is either a correct 63/4 Corvette wheel or an over the counter service replacment "8080" wheel. The only way to tell the difference is from the back side. The front sides are identical for these wheels.

                Comment

                • Doug L.
                  Expired
                  • March 14, 2010
                  • 442

                  #9
                  Re: Is this a 1963 steel wheel?

                  There was a post in October "63-64 steel rims" that has photos from all angles.

                  Comment

                  • John D.
                    Extremely Frequent Poster
                    • December 1, 1979
                    • 5507

                    #10
                    Re: Is this a 1963 steel wheel?

                    As Tracy mentioned it's a piece of cake to identify a 63-64 wheel while walking thru the fleas. The back side of it is the give away.

                    Comment

                    • David L.
                      Expired
                      • July 31, 1980
                      • 3310

                      #11
                      Re: Is this a 1963 steel wheel?

                      It's easy to spot a 63-64 Corvette wheel at swap meets but they are are few and far between. The last one that I bought was at Carlisle in the early 1990's when very few knew what they looked like. I had to shell out $5.

                      The first replacement 63-64 Corvette wheel, GM # 3839814, has a slightly larger hub hole (2 29/32") and also has a small hole (about 1/8" in dia.) in one of the "bumps" on the front face. Does anyone know the purpose of this small hole? The second replacement wheel as of May 1966, GM # 3838080, has a different cross section but the hub hole is back to 2 25/32" in dia. The 3838080 wheel is listed as a 62-66 Police car wheel (2nd design) in my 1967 Chev. Parts Catalog (Apr. 1967). I believe that the 3838080 wheel was original equipment on 1966 Chev. Police cars.

                      Dave
                      Last edited by David L.; December 26, 2012, 12:37 PM.

                      Comment

                      • Michael B.
                        Expired
                        • October 26, 2012
                        • 28

                        #12
                        Re: Is this a 1963 steel wheel?

                        Here's my final report...they are '63-'64 wheels. The guy had two of them, both dated Dec '63. I dismounted the tires, and I've attached some pics below. Got lucky on these - gotta love craigslist!









                        As a side note, although I may be wrong - I also have a couple of what I believe to be the 8080 wheels, and they don't have the "GM" stamping on the front of the wheel. They do have some other numbers/letters stamped though. They have the more conventional cross section (not the taper like the pics here) and they have the nubs at the valve stem hole and the mounting features for the small hub caps, as was discussed in previous posts from this thread.

                        Thanks again for all the input. One step closer in the restoration!

                        Mike
                        Last edited by Michael B.; December 30, 2012, 12:28 AM.

                        Comment

                        • David L.
                          Expired
                          • July 31, 1980
                          • 3310

                          #13
                          Re: Is this a 1963 steel wheel?

                          The 3838080 wheel has a rim cross section that is similar (but not exactly) to the 3869156 wheel (65-66 Corvette) as shown in my scaled drawing in the photo below (3838080 in purple, 3869156 dashed red).

                          I have always wondered why the 3869156 wheel (65-66 Corvette) was not used as a replacement wheel for the 63-64 Corvette wheel since the size and offset is the same. When I bought my 63 split window coupe (#1450) back in the late 1980's it had aftermarket wheels. I bought a new set of 3869156 wheels from my local Chevrolet dealer and found a set of "frosted" 63 wheel covers at a swap meet. I also bought a 3838080 wheel dated "K 1 86" and "1" (valve hole) "7" by the valve hole (Jan. 5, 1986) and "K1"/"85" "20" "M" on the front (Dec. 20, 1985) just to see what it looked like.

                          Dave
                          Attached Files
                          Last edited by David L.; December 31, 2012, 12:42 AM.

                          Comment

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