Correct 65 big car road wheels?

[DualQwad]

I've got about 10 or so of them big car road wheels but they all are a little different.

The one full set with the right sized center hole, for the Wildcaps (yes, I found some!<img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />) seem to have way too much backspacing.

The one full set with what looks like the right backspacing have the center holes too big for the caps to fit, plus there are rings welded on the backside in the centers on them that aren't on the other set.

What gives? <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Does anyone know how to positively I.D. the correct 65 wheels?

I've got to get some new tires but I want to mount them on the right set of wheels the first time. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

[Guest John Chapman]

Robert,

I don't know the specifics of the big car wheels, but you should be able to find a date code, wheel size and wheel code stamped on the shoulder of the reverse side. It'll take some solvent and a wire brush to bring them out from 38 years of grease and brake shoe dust.

Several years ago, one of the members did a two part article in the bugle on the Rallye wheels, applications and differences. Might try to find those months.

Cheers,

JMC

[riv2x4]

There is no rim code for a 65 Road Wheel. The spec's for the wheel are 15 X 6 5 on 5 bolt circle. The center hole cap is 2" and backspacing is 3 3/8th". The web color is dark grey metallic satin and the part number is 1233377. You can also use 66-70 rims with rim codes of 802 and 853 but the center cap hole will be 2 1/8". Do not use the 71 to 78 wheels rim codes 895 because of lack of registration ring and or different backspacing. I got this information from the Riview, the ROA magazine, Vol 16 #1 Nov/Dec 99.

Larry

[DualQwad]

Thank you gentlemen.

I'll check and see exactly what I've got and post my findings.

Is the "registration ring" necessary for proper fit or something?

Should the 65 rims have them?

[riv2x4]

The registration ring is not that important. You have to remove it to get any of the wheels to fit a 64 with the 3 1/2" wheel hub. My 64 Electra convertible came with a set of 66 wheels with the registration ring removed. Backspacing is more important.

Larry

[DualQwad]

Well folks,

Here's what I found;

NONE of them seem to be the correct ones. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

I could only positively ID four of them by the numbers that I found.

I'm afraid the rest will need a good blasting or something.

The rest of my findings are based on the information that was provided here.

I've got six of the later (71-78) #895 wheels.

Those have 3 & 3/4" offset with the right sized center holes for my caps but no registration rings on the backside.

Two of them are mounted on the car right now.

I'm reasonably sure that the other five must be the earlier (66-70) #802 or 853 wheels since they have the correct 3 & 3/8" backspacing with the larger center hole plus the registration rings.

two of them are also mounted on the car.

Attached is a picture of the two different styles in a side by side comparison.

I geuss at this point here's my concern;

Since either style will actually fit, what kind of trouble would too much backspacing cause? <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Other than maybe looking a little funny, why not run the ones that the caps fit. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Larry,

I ran into the same trouble you did on my 64 Riviera (before I sold it <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />) as well.

I wound up leaving the steel wheels with cast turbine hubcaps that came on it.

I believe that the 64 is a somewhat different animal as I'm able to mount either style on my 65, but couldn't on my Riviera. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

[DualQwad]

I've attached a front view photo, too. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Centurion]

When I purchased a '65 Wildcat Custom Sport Coupe a few years back, the car had two of the correct style '65 road wheels on the rear and two of the '71 and newer style wheels on the front. While this was workable, the difference in offset was quite evident to me when I looked at the car.

My understanding is that you would encounter difficulty if you mounted the '71 and newer style wheels on the rear of the Wildcat. The shallower offset of the newer wheels could lead to problems with the wheels or tires rubbing on the frame. Some people have addressed this problem by adding spacers, but others indicate that this is not safe and is not recommended.

[DualQwad]

Mike,

Thanks for your input on this.

I don't think that I'll need the spacers.

Haven't had the interference problem with them on the rear, perhaps that's because I'm not running real wide tires now.

I geuss that I'll just try them and see, can always get them changed over to the other wheels if I have any problems.

[riv2x4]

I'm not sure what year are on my 64 Riv. I have a set of steel wheels and the bolt on turbine wheel covers for it if I ever get a chance to get the covers cleaned up and repainted. I have the 71 and up caps on it. It was harder finding the 64 steel wheels with the 3.5" hub than the covers.

Larry

[DualQwad]

Well Larry,

When or if you do make the switch to the turbines see if those road wheels are in fact the right ones.

Think of me if they are and you're through with 'em. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks again.