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5 x 5 LUG PATTERN???

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Old Aug 10, 2023 | 09:18 AM
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Default 5 x 5 LUG PATTERN???

I recently acquired a set of chrome wheels for my '73 - They have a GM 5 x 5 lug pattern, so I bought a set of 1"D / 4.75 x 5 to 5 x 5 spacers to mount them.
They work awesome...... until I turn.... then the front tires rub like crazy..........
My question is: Is there an existing set of GM 5 x 5 front rotors that will interchange / swap with my existing GM 4.75 x 5 front rotors so I can lose the spacers & use the wheels???
Crossing my fingers here....
Mike

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Old Aug 10, 2023 | 11:48 AM
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You could pull the hubs and have a machine shop re-drill them in 5x5. Same with the rotors.

I dont know of a GM car from the era that used a disc on hub assembly that would be 5x5. Most all of them are disc and hub combined into one, riding on the spindle. Your task would be easy on anything other than a Vette.

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Old Aug 10, 2023 | 03:15 PM
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If you must have those 5x5 wheels, then drill for 5x5.... IMHO,, Easiest thing to do.
.
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Old Aug 10, 2023 | 03:25 PM
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Full size trucks and some not all A-body full size cars had five on five.......the front would be a maybe, but doubtful but the rear will never happen......the amount of work to make the rear hub a five on five wouldn't be worth it at all.....

Jebby
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Old Aug 10, 2023 | 03:42 PM
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Cut the fenders
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Old Aug 10, 2023 | 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Jebbysan
Full size trucks and some not all A-body full size cars had five on five.......the front would be a maybe, but doubtful but the rear will never happen......the amount of work to make the rear hub a five on five wouldn't be worth it at all.....

Jebby
B bodies would have had them. A bodies had 5x 4.75


why not cut your losses and sell those wheels and tires and buy the correct ones
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Old Aug 10, 2023 | 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Jebbysan
Full size trucks and some not all A-body full size cars had five on five.......the front would be a maybe, but doubtful but the rear will never happen......the amount of work to make the rear hub a five on five wouldn't be worth it at all.....

Jebby
63-82 Corvettes used front suspension similar to the 58-64 full size Chevy's, but the spindle's and hub's were different because the early full size Chevy's weren't available with disc brakes. Full size Chevy's weren't available with front discs till around 67, and I don't think 65 and later full size Chevy suspension is compatible with 63-82 Corvettes?

I don't think the pick ups went to 5x5 till 68....weren't most early 60's Chevy pick ups were 6 lug? A-body Buick, Olds, Caddy used 5x5 but full size Chevy's were 5x4.75 into at least the late 70's.

As others have said, I think the OP's best bet is to have his hubs redrilled.

If there is a hub that would work, an old Hollender Interchange Manual might list any GM hubs compatible with 65-82 Corvette disc brake spindles.
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Old Aug 10, 2023 | 09:53 PM
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Take one of your rotors down to autozone and compare it to a rotor from an Impala or Caprice. Check diameter, thickness, offset and bearing size. You should be able to tell if it will work without spending any money. Otherwise have your curent rotors redrilled.
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Old Aug 11, 2023 | 07:10 AM
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Default Thanks Everyone!!

Ok - While I was hoping for an easy answer, it seems the common consensus would be to re-drill the front rotors, or cut the fenders.....
The rear wheels & tires are fine, so no problem there. I got these wheels very cheap, and the whole car is being done on a very limited budget...
.I can't afford "good" or "better" wheels at the moment....... Definitely NOT cutting the fenders....
Such is the price of owning your dream car.
Thanks to Everyone for your input, it's much appreciated & why I signed up in the first place!!!

Regards, Mike
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Old Aug 11, 2023 | 07:27 AM
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So,,,, your posted picture compels me to ask what year front end is on that car, or is that picture not of your '73?
. , cool project. . .
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Old Aug 11, 2023 | 07:51 AM
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Originally Posted by 60 SHARK
So,,,, your posted picture compels me to ask what year front end is on that car, or is that picture not of your '73?
. , cool project. . .
Good Question!! My project is a total "Frankenvette" .....as far as I can tell, it is a '78 front clip off a donor car...(I bought it like that for $2500)... they also managed to wedge most of the '78's
beige/white (Oyster) interior into it, including the dash .....Decoded engine is a '78 truck motor.... I had wanted one since I was a little kid....Best I could do to finally have a C3 CORVETTE without having much $$$$.
Slowly chipping away at what I can...It may be ugly, but it's mine!!!
Mike
******Curious Shark, what gave it away ?....The hood?*****

Last edited by 73 Rat; Aug 11, 2023 at 08:00 AM.
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Old Aug 11, 2023 | 07:54 AM
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OP, it doesn't appear to me, that you mentioned WHERE the tires rub. Is it the front of the wheel opening, or the rear....inside or outside? If the car in the picture is your car, it looks like the lower front edge of the fender opening is uncut. Keep in mind, the 78-82 Corvettes came from the factory with this front edge "trimmed" for clearance, when the 255/60 tires became optional. If your interference problem isn't major, you could do this to your car, and the problem would go away.
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Old Aug 11, 2023 | 08:11 AM
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Originally Posted by leadfoot4
OP, it doesn't appear to me, that you mentioned WHERE the tires rub. Is it the front of the wheel opening, or the rear....inside or outside? If the car in the picture is your car, it looks like the lower front edge of the fender opening is uncut. Keep in mind, the 78-82 Corvettes came from the factory with this front edge "trimmed" for clearance, when the 255/60 tires became optional. If your interference problem isn't major, you could do this to your car, and the problem would go away.
Hey Leadfoot-
I don't drive her anywhere near as much as I like to .....and since the day I first put the wheels on I've been babying her so they don't rub too much, being careful not to tear the tires up .....
But they totally rub HARD on the front parts of the openings.... I'd actually like to see if some new shocks/struts(?) might help first ...
Regards, Mike
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Old Aug 12, 2023 | 07:54 AM
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First glance,, mirrors on door are later yr. style. Front bumper cover later yr. really made me look. 🤔 Body line where it mounts says 75 or newer.
None of this really matters, just interesting conversation at the car cruze-in,,,Glad your out driving it and having fun! Save up for better fitment wheels, then you'll drive it more.
I don't think suspension parts will change the 'rub' issue. Its because the wheel is just pushed out too far.
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Old Aug 12, 2023 | 08:13 AM
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What's the width and backspace of those wheels? I've read in another thread here of a member getting custom spacers made, the thinnest they can go is .59".
A narrower tire may also help, if you're close.

Or do both a narrower tire and thinner spacer/adapter.

If nothing else compare the price of that option to getting the hubs and rotors drilled at a machine shop.
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Old Aug 13, 2023 | 07:49 AM
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Maybe try smaller tires. Those are pretty tall looking.
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