Found perfect wheels, won't clear calipers
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 823
Likes: 57
From: Austin TX
Good luck with the project!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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Likes: 3,472
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Back in the day I had wheels very similar to those on my '72. They were 15x10 all around and no problems with the fit. I think yours might be newer wheels; mine weren't drilled for center caps, and I don't think wheel manufacturers started doing that until several years later. Wish I could tell you the exact brand and specs that fit, but it's been too long (although I might remember the brand if I heard it). If I were you, I'd try to determine just how much material would have to be removed from the wheels, not the calipers, to make them fit. If it's minor and you don't feel the reduction in cross section would make them unsafe, a local machine shop should be able to turn them. I would consider that preferable to having to use a specific caliper to clear the wheels, assuming that's even possible.
Good luck with the project!
Good luck with the project!
I too am looking to put 15x10s on all 4 with my '71.
I will be using the US Mags replica of that wheel though. It uses modern 60° lug nuts instead of the shank style, and are much cheaper than trying to find a decent set of the Vintage ones.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 823
Likes: 57
From: Austin TX
Ansen Sprint I think was the popular brand/style back then. The other brand (E/T, US Mag, American Racing) are copies of that design. I believe the Ansens used a center cap that was placed in from the back of the wheel. Others bolted on the face.
I too am looking to put 15x10s on all 4 with my '71.
I will be using the US Mags replica of that wheel though. It uses modern 60° lug nuts instead of the shank style, and are much cheaper than trying to find a decent set of the Vintage ones. Mine were E/T Mags.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
http://www.aerospacecomponents.com/
Van Steel used to have them but I checked on their page and they don't seem to carry Aerospace brakes anymore..
Van Steel used to have them but I checked on their page and they don't seem to carry Aerospace brakes anymore..
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,404
Likes: 1,595
From: Western NY
The wheel hitting the caliper has nothing to do with offset! It's to do with the shape of the face of the wheel and the fact the brake caliper is so tall, it is a common problem with wheels on our cars (that's why the original cragar's wouldn't fit and why the original Torq Thrust ended up having a "notch" cut out of the spokes to clear).
Put a ruler across the mounting edge of the wheel, see how much clearance you have against the slotted area of the wheel (you may have none as they may curve back below the mounting flange, which would be ok back in the day of drum brakes, not so good for Corvettes)
Once you have that measurement you will have an idea how much room you need to make to clear the caliper.
I would think the 4 piston wilwood's would give you enough room (they are a very small caliper), but that's an expensive fix.
You could speak to a wheel repair place and see if they could machine the slot area to increase clearance
The cheapest would be a spacer to push the wheel out more, but that will move the edge of the wheel further away from the wheel arch lip. You would have to do longer studs to make up for the spacer width.
Nick
Put a ruler across the mounting edge of the wheel, see how much clearance you have against the slotted area of the wheel (you may have none as they may curve back below the mounting flange, which would be ok back in the day of drum brakes, not so good for Corvettes)
Once you have that measurement you will have an idea how much room you need to make to clear the caliper.
I would think the 4 piston wilwood's would give you enough room (they are a very small caliper), but that's an expensive fix.
You could speak to a wheel repair place and see if they could machine the slot area to increase clearance
The cheapest would be a spacer to push the wheel out more, but that will move the edge of the wheel further away from the wheel arch lip. You would have to do longer studs to make up for the spacer width.
Nick
Bingo!!!
A C-3 Corvette has big-azzed calipers, and you need wheels that will clear them. YES, the "old school" slot mags look cool on these cars, but there's no sense banging you head against the wall, trying to get the wheels you have, to fit the car. You don't modify the car to fit the wheels, you get the correct wheels, to fit the car!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,942
Likes: 850
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Oh for crap sakes,Buy a set of 3/8 ths spacers and be done with it almost every corvette back in the day that had custom wheels on it had to run spacers. There I nothing wrong with it . What worked years ago works today. Enjoy your wheels.
