Vette(s): 1976 L82 4 speed with gymkhana suspension, custom leather interior,PW PB PS A/C,3.55 axle ratio. One of 187 1976 L82, 4 speeds shipped to Canada
Joined: 8/24/2003 Posts: 49
Do rims from other cars fit the Corvette pattern,or are they specialized? I need a spare tire rim and would like to pick one up from the boneyard if possible.
Vette(s): 1969 Monza Red Black Conv / Black Vinal hardtop
454/480 Tremec 5 Speed 308 Posi.Black Leather Interior, PS, PW, Air cond., tilt/tele,AM/FM Cass.-5 Pack CD, Hurst Shifter, side pipes
2004 Yellow convertible with black top and black interior
Joined: 11/24/2001 Posts: 962
I could be very wrong but I was always under the impression that a GM five bolt pattern fit any GM car. Just make sure you get something narrow enough to fit the car ( and fit in the spare carrier ).
Vette(s): 1976 L82 4 speed with gymkhana suspension, custom leather interior,PW PB PS A/C,3.55 axle ratio. One of 187 1976 L82, 4 speeds shipped to Canada
Joined: 8/24/2003 Posts: 49
I thought about the space saver too. However, sometime this week, I may see if my 15" Oldsmobile Super Stock II rim fits. The 442 rims were 15 x 7 so that may be close enough if the bolt pattern is the same. If it does fitI may use it as the spare. Then again, I'll probably buy a used aluminum factory rim (to match the others on the car) and use that.
All 68-82 Corvettes have a 4.75" diameter, 5 lug bolt pattern. Contrary to popular belief, all Chevy 5 lug wheels are not the same bolt circle diameter. Some of the larger passenger cars of the 70's used a 5.00" diameter bolt circle, 5 lug pattern as well as all of the chevy 1/2 ton trucks. You can measure the bolt circle diameter on a wheel by measuring from the edge of one bolt hole across to the center of the farthest bolt hole from it. If you are looking for a spare, just make sure that the back spacing is enough to clear the brake calipers if you go with a narrower wheel. Should not be hard to find a wheel to fit.
Vette(s): SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682) SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor Still have - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am
Joined: 1/23/2002 Posts: 7262
The width of the wheel/tire shouldn't be a problem, but I'd be mindful of the diameter of the tire (depending on the series of the tire, height has a relationship to width) in addition to the offset of the wheel mentioned previously. If the diameter of the tire is smaller than the others on the car you will have some extra jacking to do if one of the rear corners goes flat on you so you won't run the risk of putting any extra strain on the differential.
First put the spare on a front corner, then put the tire just removed where the flat is. That way you'll have like tires on the rear corners. And then be easy on the brakes as you might get a pull with the dissimilar tires up front, especially if you have to stomp on them.
Vette(s): 1969 Monza Red Black Conv / Black Vinal hardtop
454/480 Tremec 5 Speed 308 Posi.Black Leather Interior, PS, PW, Air cond., tilt/tele,AM/FM Cass.-5 Pack CD, Hurst Shifter, side pipes
2004 Yellow convertible with black top and black interior