67 Original Bolt on Wheels

[Ben Molstad]

Hello,
I just have a question reguarding what the original lug nuts sould be for a set of original 67 Bolt on Wheels. I wondered if they are the same as the lug nuts used on the stock rally wheels or are they different? My car has the same ones as stock rally wheels on it and they seem too small for the holes. If there is a different set where do I get a set of correct ones?
Thanks Ben

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 Original Bolt on Wheels

Ben-----

The lug nuts are the same for stock steel wheels as for the 1967 bolt-on aluminum wheels. They're still available from GM under the original part number of GM #358501, although the plating, markings, and configuration might not be exactly the same as original.

The reason for the fitment problem with the nuts may lie in the fact that the holes in the wheels are enlarged due to wear. Over the years, removal and re-installation of the lug nuts without lubrication and, likely, often with an impact gun will gall the aluminum and, effectively, enlage the holes. The same thing also happens with stock steel wheels, but the steel is a lot more resistant to galling than the aluminum. I know of no way to repair this damage. One way to compensate for it, though, is to use "bulge" lug nuts available from some specialty wheel suppliers. These lug nuts have an "enlarged cone" to help compensate for the wear of the original nut seats. Their configuration differs from the original nuts, though. Also, some folks feel that they do not seat properly in the wheel lug nut seats. To some degree that's true, too. However, they fasten better than original lug nuts in very worn seats.