Restorer Article on Wheel Date Codes

[Terry B.]

Can anyone tell me the issue of the Restorer Magazine that contained the article on wheel date codes. I believe it was within the last 2 years.

Thanks for your help,

Terry

[Vinnie P.]

Re: Restorer Article on Wheel Date Codes

Terry,

If you're talking about the article(s) by Wendel Hans, there were two articles published since I took over as editor...one is in the Winter 2010 Issue and the other is in the Spring 2009 Issue...I have a pdf of both if needed...email me if you need it...

Vinnie

[Terry B.]

Re: Restorer Article on Wheel Date Codes

Thanks Vinnie! I sent you a PM.

[Wendel H.]

Re: Restorer Article on Wheel Date Codes

Terry, thanks for asking about the 1968 15X7JJ AG rallys.

I wrote a bigger story on all rally wheels. It was published in four parts in 2001/2002 Restorers

The highlight of the 1968 wheels follows

15X7JJ Wheels made in 1967 only had "AG" stamped at the valve stem. Around Xmas 1967 the first date codes appeared at the valve stem. This was true for all kelsey-hayes wheels and a response to the DOT new rules.

Any Corvette built after the first week of 1968 should have date coded wheels. If you have wheels I would appreciate any photographs of stamps and vin#/build date if a car is linked to the wheels.

As far as color goes PlastiKote makes touchup paint and two colors silver are FM8118 and FM8070...8118 is the brighter silver...I photographed alot of wheels and though they were all silver metallic the tints and tones were all different...there are examples of various wheel colors in the 2002 articles on a Restorer back cover in color...color pictures in the Restorer articles is a newer and appreciated innovation. In my opinion wheel paint may have been leftover GM silver body colors rather than an engineered formula....that is my opinion based on observation...by definition "argent" means nothing more than metallic...there are "white argents"..."grey argents"..."green argents"...etc

For black primer rustoleum satin black is a good choice in my opinion though the authentic primer was a PPG black laquer applied by Kelsey-Hayes according to my sources.

You may wonder what "JJ" means. That is the rim contour code. The first "J" means the wheel is suitable for a tubeless tire with a 15 degree angle bead seat. The second "J" is flange height of .68 inches. The engineers decided the wider 7 inch wheel need a shorter flange for tire dismounting ease. The 1968 15X7JJ rally was introduced for 1968 Corvettes. The 15X8JJ wheel introduced for 1969 was wider yet with the .68 inch flange and 15 degree bead seat. The "J" flange height measures .68 inch...The "15X6JK" flange for the 1967 rally wheels measures .77 inch and the seat is also 15 degrees.

The "K" flange on the tube tire wheels such as the 1953 15X5K had a 5 degree seat with .77 inch flange height. In 1953 "K" was a common contour for truck wheels.

Then there is the "L" flange but we will save that for another post.

Wendel Hans #13085