Author Topic: swap meet purchase questions  (Read 2546 times)

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Offline kcombs

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swap meet purchase questions
« on: April 10, 2011, 10:06:07 PM »
I just picked up a set of factory 15x7 rally wheels today. The guy had them priced so I couldn't refuse to buy them and I think he really wanted them gone. I gave him $75 for the four wheels with center caps. These are ten to twenty foot rims, not show. Some spots of rust but will shine and look great on a driver. I do have a question or two about these rims.

Are there differences in the 15x7 rims, or were they all created equal. If they were different, and how can I tell what I bought?

Will 15x8 rimes fit on a 65 GS Skylark? thinking of have a pair of wider rims made from the worst of the four, but not certain they will clear in the rear. I really don't like to have to modify fenders to make rims clear.

Thats all for now.....
Kurt
65 Bucamino
65 two door post (parts?)
65 Special wagon

Offline dsags

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Re: swap meet purchase questions
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2011, 08:56:23 AM »
Kurt,
I have 17 x 8 American Racing wheels on my '65. You will need lots of backspacing to fit the 8 inch wide wheels. My backspacing is 4 and 3/4 inches. The tires are 255/50's which are 10 inches wide. They fit nicely.
1965 Special Convertible, L33 LS, 4L60

Offline WkillGS

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Re: swap meet purchase questions
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2011, 09:46:54 AM »
There is an ID stamp on the rim, on the backside.
The wheels I have here are 'JJ' 15"x7", very common.
If you measure between the tire bead surfaces, they are 7" wide.
But if you measure them from edge-to-edge, they are 8" wide.
Everybody refers to these as having 4-3/8"' backspace.
Mounting surface is 4-3/8" from the edge of the rim on the back side, and 3-5/8" on the front side. .....In other words, there is a 3/4" offset.

If you have wider wheels made, they should maintain that 3/4" offset for them to fit the same.
However, my '66's will have better tire fit if offset is increased 1/2" to 1-1/4". That centers the tires in the wheelwell.
Walt K
Eastern Pa

66 GS Astro Blue/blue 425 auto
66 GS Silver Mist/black 401 4 spd
66 GS Flame Red/black 401 5 spd
66 GS Saddle Mist/black 401 L76 auto
66 Special Flame Red/black 300 5 spd
65 GS vert Verde Green/ Saddle buckets 401 4 spd
79 Turbo Regal

Offline Brian

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Re: swap meet purchase questions
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2011, 09:53:47 AM »
Make sure they have the right lug bolt circle.  The ones from the big cars have a bigger bolt circle and won't mount up to the A-body cars. 
'64 Skylark 2dr ht 4 speed, 300-4
'65 GS ht, 4 speed,2-4s,AC,PS,PB,PW,Pseat,Tilt
'66 Skylark 2dr ht 300-2 automatic
'78 Yamaha DT 400 2 stroke
'88 Ford F-150 4x4 (used to be 4x2)
'89 Ford F-350 4x4
'03 Honda Accord Coupe V6 6-speed manual (daily driver)

Offline Mark Ascher

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Re: swap meet purchase questions
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2011, 10:45:48 AM »
Brian,

I think most of the big car wheels are 15x6.

Mark
65 GS HT 4 Speed - BCA Senior 2015; AACA Senior Grand National 2021
66 Impala 396/TH400/12 Bolt "Project Rodent Remediation" - Almost Done
69 Bel Air 2 Door Sedan "Project Junior Stock" - In Process
19 Chev Silverado Pickem Up (daily driver)

Offline kcombs

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Re: swap meet purchase questions
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2011, 01:18:20 PM »
Thanks for all the replies!

The wheels are definitely 4 3/4" bolt pattern and 7" wide. The off set seems to be what Walt mentioned, so that is good. I can't find any markings on the rims, but I doubt that it makes any real difference to me. Sounds like if I have 15x8" rims made that I need to split the increase, 1/2" inside and 1/2" on the outside. Walt, am I correct?

Again, thanks for the answers.
Kurt
65 Bucamino
65 two door post (parts?)
65 Special wagon

Offline sjfd04

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Re: swap meet purchase questions
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2011, 07:07:20 PM »
My wheels are 15 x 8 with 245 60 15 tires, had a little rub so I installed the Hotchkis air bags, works great, no rub with 10 pounds of air in the bags. Ride quality is great and it raises the back just a little.  My car is the red GS with the vinyl roof in the gallery section.
« Last Edit: April 11, 2011, 07:09:04 PM by sjfd04 »
65 GS 4-Speed Hardtop
2017 Chevy Silverado HD 2500
1970 1/2 Camaro Z-28 4-speed

Offline kcombs

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Re: swap meet purchase questions
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2011, 09:07:03 PM »
Very cool SJFD04, 65's look better with a little "rake". Being old school, I like the front down and the rear up. 65 Skylarks seem to be backwards from the factory.
Kurt
65 Bucamino
65 two door post (parts?)
65 Special wagon

Offline sjfd04

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Re: swap meet purchase questions
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2011, 09:24:29 PM »
I installed the Hotchkis 1" lowering springs all the way around.
65 GS 4-Speed Hardtop
2017 Chevy Silverado HD 2500
1970 1/2 Camaro Z-28 4-speed