Wheel Nut Size

[Pat H.]

I have 3 lug wrenches for my 59, one is a GM service replacement with USA cast into it. The 2 other ones I have have the 'O' cast in the head and fit the description in the JG, but the size is 13/16" not the 3/4" lug nut that are on the car. The parts book shows part# 358501 with a 7/16-20 thread, but no head size. Issue #2 is that the tire board bolt head 3706327 is also 3/4", but it's a repro. What is the correct size for the wrench head and or the nut/bolt head size. One of the supply house indicates the lug nut as #358501, but is probably another marketing ploy.

[John F.]

Re: Wheel Nut Size

Lug nuts are 3/4". Lug wrench head should be the same.

[Joe L.]

Re: Wheel Nut Size

I have 3 lug wrenches for my 59, one is a GM service replacement with USA cast into it. The 2 other ones I have have the 'O' cast in the head and fit the description in the JG, but the size is 13/16" not the 3/4" lug nut that are on the car. The parts book shows part# 358501 with a 7/16-20 thread, but no head size. Issue #2 is that the tire board bolt head 3706327 is also 3/4", but it's a repro. What is the correct size for the wrench head and or the nut/bolt head size. One of the supply house indicates the lug nut as #358501, but is probably another marketing ploy.

Pat------


The GM #358501 had a 3/4" across-the-flats (i.e. wrench size) dimension. This is an absolutely ancient part number, dating back to the 40's, if not before (no, it's not one of the 6 digit, 3xxxxx series first used in the early-to-late 70's). This is one of the few parts that I thought would never be discontinued. However, it's been discontinued.

The 13/16" wrenches you have must be for a non-Chevrolet application. I think Ford used this size. The manufacturer represented by "O" probably made wrenches for Chevrolet as well as others. All of them probably appeared about the same.

[David L.]

Re: Wheel Nut Size

I have collected more than 80 lug wrenches over the years, 90% are for 3/4" lugs. I have also done a lot of research on them and could not identify all of them. Some of the forgings on them are as follows: "O" (Otterburn), "U" (Universal Tool Co.), and "U.S.A.". Many of the lug wrenches do not have any logo forgings. The lug wrenches sold over the counter have changed quite a few times.

Here is the part number history of service lug wrenches:
3692251 (15.50+/- and 4" lengths from 3692251 shop drawing)
replaced on 4/55 to
3710686 (17.64" and 4" lengths from 3710686 shop drawing)
on 5/61 to
3788336 (also listed in the 1962 Corvette AIM)
on 10/63 to
3834701
on 1/65 to
3710686
on 7/66 to
3834701
on 2/67 (?) to
3899547
on 1/67 (?) to
3909176
on 12/71 to
3987070
on 11/74 to
326740 to 474473 to 14036400

I have had 2 NOS 3909176 lug wrenches (1969+/- era, sold years ago) and still have 2 used 3909176 wrenches from 1969 Chevrolet models.

Dave

[David L.]

Re: Wheel Nut Size

There are shop drawings of the 3692251 and 3710686 lug wrenches in the links below.
Dave

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?65451-1962-Jack-and-tools&p=383661#post383661

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...hlight=3710686

[Pat H.]

Re: Wheel Nut Size

It appears that the wrenches I have came from something else other that a Corvette or a GM car.