Wheel Identification Numbers

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Aug 30, 2008 | 07:09 PM

AllC34Me

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From: Easton, PA

St. Jude Donor '10

Wheel Identification Numbers

I removed the tires from my five wheels off of my 1977 Corvette today. They are ralley wheels and I would like to clean them up and repaint them. Is there a way to look at them and see when they were manufactured and whether or not they are Kelsey Hayes wheels?
Also, does anyone know if the spare was supposed to be the same size as the mounted wheels, mine appears to be narrower. Odd.
Can anyone help me withi this please?
Thank you.
David Howard
77Sleeper

Aug 30, 2008 | 08:23 PM

LYLE

Melting Slicks

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From: Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77Sleeper

In the center near the lug nut hole you should see K 1 6 or 7 for 1976 or 7.

At the valve stem it should have K17 or 6 then 1-12 for the month valve stem 1-31 day of month and AZ = 15X8 Corvette rim. Your 77 would have had 5 GR-70-15 tires from the factory all the same size.

Aug 30, 2008 | 08:42 PM

AllC34Me

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From: Easton, PA

St. Jude Donor '10

Quote:

Originally Posted by LYLE

Thank you Kyle, great data. The mystery continues. Four of my wheels have 15X8 stamped in the body of the wheel and the codes K15 on them which I assume means manufactured in 1975. They do say AZ but I cannot real the other data, have to clean them up more. Those four measure 8" on the inside lip to lip.

My sneaky little spare tire is not the same. It has the code K18 and it is one inch narrower, that is, 15X7. Again I cannot see the data near the valve stem until I clean them up better but someone slipped in a narrower wheel. Does this mean the spare was from a 68? All four of the tires were 225/70R/15's that I had removed.

Any suggestions on this one?

Thanks again.

David

Aug 30, 2008 | 11:11 PM

CCrane65

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From: Wichita KS

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77Sleeper

Your spare is a 68 rim. The change to 15x8 was made in the 69 model year.

Yes, the 5 means it was manufactured in the 1975 model year and BTW in case you didn't pick up on it the K means Kelsey Hayes and the 1 means it is a Chevrolet wheel.

cc

Aug 31, 2008 | 07:02 AM

AllC34Me

Thread Starter

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From: Easton, PA

St. Jude Donor '10

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCrane72

Both of my 1977 models were built and delivered in late 1976 so I guess having wheels from 1975 could and weuld make sense. The spare however, does not. Do you know if they put the same sire GR70/15 tires on the 1968 and 1969 models that came on 1970-77?

I will clean this one up with the other four and will either sell it, replace it with a correct year, or swap it.

Thanks for all your help, much appreciated.

Best regards,

David

Aug 31, 2008 | 08:58 AM

Duke94

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From: Ann Arbor Michigan

From "Corvette by the Numbers"

Aug 31, 2008 | 10:34 AM

LYLE

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2002

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From: Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77Sleeper

Your 77 built in late 76 would not have never had 75 rims as most are dated 2-6 weeks before the build date. 75 rims would be a year or more too early. GR-70-15 were radial tires and the first year was 1973 when radials replaced bias ply. That spare could be a 78 space maker tire as this was the start of donut spares.

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