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OK let me see if i have this right. code on my tire is MDUH FB0308, which means my tire was produced the 30th week of 1978,so sometime in august. date code on wheel is K386-5YA.
K= kelsey
3= plant
8= 1978
6= june
5= 5th day
YA= corvette spare wheel 15x5 inch broadcast code.
and my car built august of 78, so this makes the spare correct? i think or something like that.
I liked your article. I think I gave you my info a year or so ago.
You have Pace Car #1671 as the earliest with a black tire.
You can update your info to Pace Car #1602 with a black rim.
Wow do you think that adds extra value and makes it more collectible!
I believe you did as well. The articles was sent in about two years ago and when it went to press...updated data was not included. The publisher wasn't particularly fond of it but published it anyway. Your black rim fits in with the data we've collected.
I have a 79 and when I bought it the spare tire was with it. If you don't want that tire I might take it. It is up to you if you want to keep it. The people that take them off are looking to reduce weight to make there car a little faster. I kept mine and some day if you keep the car long enough it will make a difference. The tire is a odd size and no other one will fit correctly.
I am not into HP so I have kept mine original. I am not an expert and would not trust the old spare but when I go to cruse In's other vette people do recognize that I have a spare!!!!
I am not sure about the old tire myth, I took my spare out and had it remounted and it holds air etc (I would still call AAA for a flat).
The tires on my vette are 15 years old and I still run them, there are no signs of cracking etc and I have raced a few porsches in the mountain's etc. I know every body will think I am crazy but my old tires look great.
Just my two cent worth
The tires on my vette are 15 years old and I still run them, there are no signs of cracking etc and I have raced a few porsches in the mountain's etc.
My experience with old rubber...
The tires on my Vette were about 8 years old with 90% of the tread left when I bought it.
When I drove over rough pavement it felt like I was driving on ice. In short, they were pretty dangerous.
It drives like a new car now with a fresh set of tires.
I don't questionthat your tires are ok for you.
I just wanted folks to know that just because a old tire looks good with plenty of tread doesn't mean that they are in fact ok. In my case they were a accident waiting to happen.
Thanks for the info, this car has been a real find for me, I know its not a vette that is highly valued, but i am the 2nd owner and the car has spent half its life in storage untill i rescued it 3 months ago,so far everything that i have researched, is the factory equipment. some things i have taken off and have stored, mainly just to preserve them,like the intake & carb, smog equip, now the spare. i have found out that this L82 is a little rare,it has the M21 4 speed, only around 3,000 of these produced. so im not sure what to do with the car, would like to mod some but have been told that would kill its value since it is a numbers matching car. but for now i just enjoy cleaning it up and taking for a spin around the block.cant wait to see what i find out next about this car,thanks again
I believe you did as well. The articles was sent in about two years ago and when it went to press...updated data was not included. The publisher wasn't particularly fond of it but published it anyway. Your black rim fits in with the data we've collected.
Does it add extra value?
I should not drink and type I told you #1602 actually it is #1660! Still earlier.
I am not sure about the old tire myth, I took my spare out and had it remounted and it holds air etc (I would still call AAA for a flat).
The tires on my vette are 15 years old and I still run them, there are no signs of cracking etc and I have raced a few porsches in the mountain's etc. I know every body will think I am crazy but my old tires look great.
Just my two cent worth
American tire manufacturers are adopting the European consumer recommendation that tires older than six years be removed from service regardless of thread life. The motivation has been the results of those studies of the Bridgestone/Firestone tire recall of the early 2000's where treads were separating from tire walls and contributing to SUV rollover.
The only saving grace for Corvette owners is that the compounds use higher quality materials that offer some protection againts tire/tread separation...I wouldn't be doing any racing on 15 year old tires.
finally a couple warm days ,so I after 2 years of ownership I
dropped the spare tire carrier and found a "new" old goodyear 195/80 D15 temp spare. That puppy has been riding there for 28years. I don't see myself ever using it temporarily,plus it kind of stands out with the bf goodrich t/a's (P275/50/R15's) on it now. It is very apparent that tire quality has vastly improved. Maybe, I'll just remove the tire carrier and carry a can of inflatible stuff or flatbed it home in an emergency. I don't go on any long trips with her anyway,20-30 miles tops. Do they still make that size temp spare?,I can't believe you guys are all driving around with a good spare. comments?