Kelsey-Hayes- 15 x 5 1/2 steel wheels

[Timothy B.]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes- 15 x 5 1/2 steel wheels

Karl,

I have a set on my 63 and I believe they are 5 1/2" JK wheels. There are no bumps for the early small hubcaps and they have the step inside for disc calipers and little nubs at the 3/8" valve stem hole. I always thought they were service replacement for 63-66. There is discussion in the archives about this 8080 wheel, I can't remember what the general opinion is on these wheels. The only difference I can remember is that they are rivited instead of spot welded. I believe JK is the offset for the production wheel also but I will have to check a original to be sure.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes- 15 x 5 1/2 steel wheels

Karl,

I have a set on my 63 and I believe they are 5 1/2" JK wheels. There are no bumps for the early small hubcaps and they have the step inside for disc calipers and little nubs at the 3/8" valve stem hole. I always thought they were service replacement for 63-66. There is discussion in the archives about this 8080 wheel, I can't remember what the general opinion is on these wheels. The only difference I can remember is that they are rivited instead of spot welded. I believe JK is the offset for the production wheel also but I will have to check a original to be sure.

[John H.]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes- 15 x 5 1/2 steel wheels

"JK" and "K" (along with others, like "JJ", etc.) are SAE designations for rim cross-section designs, and generally refer to presence/absence of circumferential safety retention ribs for the tire beads ; they're unrelated to offset.

[John H.]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes- 15 x 5 1/2 steel wheels

"JK" and "K" (along with others, like "JJ", etc.) are SAE designations for rim cross-section designs, and generally refer to presence/absence of circumferential safety retention ribs for the tire beads ; they're unrelated to offset.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes- 15 x 5 1/2 steel wheels

John,

Thanks for the info. I always thought the JK letters had something to do with the offset. Is there any way to tell offset by the wheel stampings without measuring them? You mentioned a 5 1/2" wheel from a wagon, is this the same offset as Corvette?

[Timothy B.]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes- 15 x 5 1/2 steel wheels

John,

Thanks for the info. I always thought the JK letters had something to do with the offset. Is there any way to tell offset by the wheel stampings without measuring them? You mentioned a 5 1/2" wheel from a wagon, is this the same offset as Corvette?

[Verne Frantz]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes- 15 x 5 1/2 steel wheels

John,
The "JK" suffix appeared in '61, and the "safety bead" depression in the rim next to the bead did not appear until mid '63 production (May-June), then into '64 +. (I'm speaking of Chevrolet in general) I have several '61-'62 & early '63 wheels with no safety bead and the SAE "JK" stamp.

Verne

[Verne Frantz]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes- 15 x 5 1/2 steel wheels

John,
The "JK" suffix appeared in '61, and the "safety bead" depression in the rim next to the bead did not appear until mid '63 production (May-June), then into '64 +. (I'm speaking of Chevrolet in general) I have several '61-'62 & early '63 wheels with no safety bead and the SAE "JK" stamp.

Verne

[John H.]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes- 15 x 5 1/2 steel wheels

Tim -

Nope, no magic - you have to measure them to determine offset/backspace.

[John H.]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes- 15 x 5 1/2 steel wheels

Tim -

Nope, no magic - you have to measure them to determine offset/backspace.