Mr. Orange

After my wheels were stolen, and I have spent years looking, and just found the perfect slot mags for my flared 69, they don't clear the brakes....

What are my options to try and make them work?

Grind caliper down 1/4 Inch?

Have wheels turned on a lathe?

After-market brake calipers?

Corvette Gods Please help....

530planeman

Try spacers with deep lug nuts
Wes

10Seconds918

Do you really need to grind a full 1/4" off the caliper? Seems like a lot, do you have upgraded brakes? If the wheel has enough material to turn them down, it would be temping, but I would be worried about compromising the integrity of them if there is not a considerable excess there for it.

Kubs

Can you post a picture of the wheel and what doesnt clear? I have seen many C3 with old school slot mag wheels on them. Are they aftermarket or vintage wheels? Are they by chance a 14" diameter instead of 15"?

Scottd

THUNDERING SOUNDS FROM THE HEAVENS!
The Corvette gods speak! They say.....


FIND DIFFERENT RIMS.

Grinding 1/4 off your caliper is too much to take off. Putting brand new rims on a lathe is not only foolish from an economic standpoint but dangerous as well.

Call the wheel manufacturer and see if they offer the wheel in any other sizes. If not, move on.

454Luvr

If they hit the caliper, the offset is probably wrong. In any event, you need different wheels. Don't turn your Vette into a Bubba machine just to use those wheels.

reefrashralph

Get different wheels

B Stead

Here are some links for vintage wheels:

http://www.wheelsforless.com/America...m_Hot_Rod.html

http://www.wheelsforless.com/America...ed_Wheels.html


And here is a backspacing to offset link:

https://www.mickeythompsontires.com/...hp?bulletin=s7
.

kanvasman

Go over to the C3 parts for sale from yesterday. Scroll down to member 68-427 Rich and his aluminum wheels for sale. and look at those rims. They would look great on any of our C3s.

3JsVette

How much clearance do you really need? A small thin spacer may solve your problem. A well made one that is hub centric would not compromise safety. Many people may not be aware but GM actually used spacers on '82 up F bodies and they were available over the parts counter.

Mr. Orange

Tried a spacer but would require one so big, the offset would make the tire not fit under the fender.

Mr. Orange

Yes, 1/4 inch
oem brakes

Mr. Orange

The 15x8.5 slots I just found for the front of my car were manufactured in the 70's and are the perfect size and offset.

The only thing wrong is that they don't clear the oem calipers.

Scottd

Would you cut out your front door just to put a giant sofa in your den?

Would you smash the shelves in your refrigerator to make room for extra food?

Would you cut a pair of pants that youve outgrown just to get them over your belly?

NO!

These rims are NOT correct for your car. They do however look very close to original Corvette rims from the early 80's. I highly suggest you spend a few hours on ebay looking for a stock fit.

Mr. Orange

This link is for new wheels.
I have spent years of constant and patient search for these period correct wheels made in the 70's.

Mr. Orange

Thanks for the referral, real vintage wheels, not the right sizes and style.

I have never seen any wheel exactly like them.

Mr. Orange

Wow

ddawson

Do you know what backspace they are?

slickfx3

i had those type on many of my rides back in the day, they look great

i say run without brakes

TaiChiGuy

I had ordered a pair of calipers from Autozone. When they came, one was a Delco Morraine, and the other lacked a manufacturer name and significantly smaller. Try visiting some auto parts stores for replacement calipers - maybe there's a generic that's listed for your Vette that will clear your wheel. YMMV. Nice wheels btw

Personally, I'm sticking to Delco and ended up upgrading mine with O-ring seal kits....