wheel width

[Ken B.]

How can i tell if my wheels are 7 or 8 inch wide.I only have the 4 that are on the car. Is there a number on the rim somewhere that will tell me? Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: wheel width

How can i tell if my wheels are 7 or 8 inch wide.I only have the 4 that are on the car. Is there a number on the rim somewhere that will tell me? Thanks

Ken-----


Yes, near the valve stem hole there should be a 2 alpha character code. If it's "AZ" (as it should be), the wheels are 8" wide. If it's "AG" (or, certain other codes) it's a 7" wide wheel which were not originally applicable to 69-82 Corvettes.

[Ken B.]

Re: wheel width

Thanks Joe..You are the man

[Harmon C.]

Re: wheel width

The trim ring width is about 3"s on 8" wheels and you won't need to take one off to see what you have.

[Joe L.]

Re: wheel width

The trim ring width is about 3"s on 8" wheels and you won't need to take one off to see what you have.

Lyle-----


The same trim rings were used for Corvette 7" wheels (1968) and 8" wheels (1969-82). So, one cannot infer wheel width from the width of the trim rings. Wheel width (7" or 8") can be inferred by the width of the exposed wheel rim between the trim ring and the center section, though.

[Harmon C.]

Re: wheel width

Joe
The 7" wheels I have must have a different setback than the 68 Corvette had. The trim rings are narrower on the sets I have but I will check to see if 8" rings will fit.
The wheels I have are FW and a 8" trim ring bottoms out 1/2" before the clips hit the rim.

[Tracy C.]

Re: wheel width

I'd think you could put a 16" straight edge across the rim and measure to the center hole and then do the same on the opposite side of the wheel and just add the measurements together to get the total width. Just make sure you measure to the same point at the center hole.

You should also subtract approximately 1/4" from the total to account for the thickness of the wheel where the straight edge makes contact with the wheel.

tc

[Harmon C.]

Re: wheel width

I know an 8'' wheel is over 9'' wide. They must be measured at the bead.

[Joe L.]

Re: wheel width

Joe
The 7" wheels I have must have a different setback than the 68 Corvette had. The trim rings are narrower on the sets I have but I will check to see if 8" rings will fit.
The wheels I have are FW and a 8" trim ring bottoms out 1/2" before the clips hit the rim.

Lyle-----


"FW"-coded wheels were never used on a Corvette. They were 15 X 7 rally wheels used on 1971-76 Chevelles and Monte Carlos. They have a positive offset of 0.30". The 1968 Corvette wheels have a negative offset of 0.28". So, there is 0.58" difference in offset between these wheels.

The trim rings used for all 1968 and 1969-82 Corvettes were GM #3923626. These were a Corvette-only piece.

[Tracy C.]

Re: wheel width

I know an 8'' wheel is over 9'' wide. They must be measured at the bead.

That's why I specified a 16" straight edge. It will nest down into the bead area.

tc