Wheels/Rims for 63 Corvair

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hugofant
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Wheels/Rims for 63 Corvair

Post by hugofant »

Hello,
as i'm planning to convert the frontdrums to disks, i would have to replace also the "original" 13" wheels.
As they are 4lug - the possibilites are a bit limited but i found these ones:

https://www.uswheel.com/collections/fwd ... er-gnmetal
Star-Gunmetal-Chrome-Hoop_s_1024x1024.jpg
Size 14x6 with 3 1/2 backspace should fit (in combination with 205 70 tires)

alternativly this ones
8Spoke-Chrome_s_1024x1024.jpg
would be interested, what you think about it.

thnx and best regards
Roman
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lostboy
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Re: Wheels/Rims for 63 Corvair

Post by lostboy »

I like the gun metal ones a lot!

I have found that even newer nissans have the correct bolt pattern but not sure about the rest. Might be easy to find some 14" steelies.


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1961 Corvair 700 Sedan (80hp 3spd Gasoline Heat)
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bbodie52
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Re: Wheels/Rims for 63 Corvair

Post by bbodie52 »

See the section INTERCHANGE INFORMATION in the article Sizing Corvair Wheels and Tires.

:link: http://autoxer.skiblack.com/tires.html
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Scott H
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Re: Wheels/Rims for 63 Corvair

Post by Scott H »

I also like the gunmetal ones. I bought used wheels from a guy who had a Nissan 240sx. Same bolt pattern and also RWD.
Scott
1960 Monza Coupe
1965 Evening Orchid Corsa Turbo (project)
1961 Rampside (project)
1964 Spyder coupe (patina car, running)
1964 faux Spyder (project/parts car)
1964 Monza (parts car)
1963 Monza (parts car)
hugofant
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Re: Wheels/Rims for 63 Corvair

Post by hugofant »

Helllo,
have in the meantime also checked some japanese wheels, but the problem with all of them: they have an offset of 35 - 40mm, what means i have to use adapter plates for getting the wheel out. For a 15x7 wheel this will be about 20mm (on each side) but i've heard that this would mean also really "stress" for the wheel bearing.
Has anybody some experience regarding this issue?

thanks and best regards
Roman
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lostboy
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Re: Wheels/Rims for 63 Corvair

Post by lostboy »

hugofant wrote:Helllo,
have in the meantime also checked some japanese wheels, but the problem with all of them: they have an offset of 35 - 40mm, what means i have to use adapter plates for getting the wheel out. For a 15x7 wheel this will be about 20mm (on each side) but i've heard that this would mean also really "stress" for the wheel bearing.
Has anybody some experience regarding this issue?

thanks and best regards
Roman
There are mixed opinions on stressing wheel bearings with spacers. In the truck world people run spacers all the time. To me, it seems that running spacers is no different than having wheels with the correct offset. Either way the force and fulcrum are the same. It's kind of like using a long ratchet vs putting a pipe on a short ratchet. At the end of the day it's the same thing... a longer ratchet.


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hugofant
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Re: Wheels/Rims for 63 Corvair

Post by hugofant »

ok, i know some time has passed in the meantime, but now i've found some 15x7 wheels (with 23mm offset).....I've read lots of info's but still i'm not sure if they will fit or not (on Bryans site is written 7" can't be exeeded. ok. but then the "quick steering arms" are mentioned for helping the clearance problem up front?!)
Are there some experiences with them?

best regards
Roman
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Scott H
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Re: Wheels/Rims for 63 Corvair

Post by Scott H »

This car has 16x8 0 offset all the way around with no issues. It's the same wheels/size I have but I do not have them on my car yet as its not done.
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Scott
1960 Monza Coupe
1965 Evening Orchid Corsa Turbo (project)
1961 Rampside (project)
1964 Spyder coupe (patina car, running)
1964 faux Spyder (project/parts car)
1964 Monza (parts car)
1963 Monza (parts car)
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crogers
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Re: Wheels/Rims for 63 Corvair

Post by crogers »

Pete Paulsen's house of wheels has camaro style rally wheels in 4 lug in a bunch of sizes. You can get em all chrome or chrome outers with raw center so you can paint the centers. You can also get em powdercoated.
1960 500 coupe 3spd
1960 700 sedan pg.
1962 Monza coupe 4spd.
1962 spyder convertible
1964 Monza coupe pg.
1964 Monza convertible 4spd.
1966 corsa coupe turbo
bobg1951chevy
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Re: Wheels/Rims for 63 Corvair

Post by bobg1951chevy »

I know this may be drifting from the exact topic, if so, please delete.

During my time with Chevrolet, I spend time in the "Wheel and Tire" division.

I was taught the center / hub measurement of the wheel was the most important measurement to consider, when sizing the wheel / rim to the vehicle.

Yet, when reading various automotive forums, folks seldom, if ever, consider the center hub measurement, but may wonder why, if wheel lugs should happen to snap, if the center hub opening is too large for the hub.
Bob G., Hendersonville, NC.

1951 Chevy Styleline Deluxe 2 door sedan. 6/2000.
1969 Corvair 500 Coupe # 2671. 7/2017.
hugofant
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Re: Wheels/Rims for 63 Corvair

Post by hugofant »

Hello,
took some time, but at least i found some rims for my 4lug Early:

Image

they are named "Lenso BSX", have a "classic" look and are available in 15x7 with a backspacing of 20mm.....

...and now i've to find the best fitting tires - 205/60/15 should be nearly exact the original size (185/80) but at http://autoxer.skiblack.com/wheelpics.html is written that 205/55/15 is about the biggest setup that will fit on an early?!

Can somebody (with 15x7 rims and standard steering arms) give me a hint/some additional info?

thanks in advance and best regards
Roman
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Re: Wheels/Rims for 63 Corvair

Post by terribleted »

The poster states those wheel were stolen and the replacements wear 205/60/15 on the same car slightly different offset so perhaps not an issue. Maybe someone will post up with wheels and offsets like yours that used 205/60/15 tires. Width between the 2 tire sizes is the same. The 60 series are about .8" taller. Without any additional data the only way I know to tell for sure is to get a 205/60/15 mounted and try it on a front and rear position to see what clearances to the fenders actually are. I would prefer the taller at stock height tire myself if they clear. I would think they would be fine as long as these wheels have offset very close to the stock 13" wheel as the width difference on the 205/60/15 tires is less than 1" wider, so less than 1/2" inside and outside which is not a lot more.
Corvair guy since 1982. I have personally restored at least 20 Vairs, many of them restored ground up.
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hugofant
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Re: Wheels/Rims for 63 Corvair

Post by hugofant »

The poster states those wheel were stolen and the replacements wear 205/60/15 on the same car slightly different offset so perhaps not an issue.
Correct, but the new rims where also 15x6 instead of 15x7.....
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Re: Wheels/Rims for 63 Corvair

Post by bbodie52 »

...Having said all that, I surfed over to The B.F. Goodrich site to come up with some examples of tires that would work well on Corvairs. They have data sheets for all of their tires there, I used the specs from the Radial T/A here, other models will be a bit different. You should be aware that the sizes are a range, so it's a good idea to get the data sheet if you can, especially if you have chosen a size near the limit of what will fit. Unfortunately, BFG doesn't offer a 13" Radial T/A that will work well, these are 14, 15 and 16 inch:

P185/70R14 (all)
P195/70R14 (all, good replacement for 1960 - 65 6.50-13)
P205/70R14 (all, good replacement for 1966 - 69 7.00-13)
P205/55R15 (all)
P195/60R15 (all, good replacement for 1960 - 65 6.50-13)
P195/65R15 (all, good replacement for 1966 - 69 7.00-13)
P205/60R15 (all, good replacement for 1966 - 69 7.00-13)
P205/55R16 (a little tall, may rub on an early, fits lates)
Late models have a little more room in the rear, you could use these sizes on the rear of a late if you want the "big and little" look:
P225/60R14
P235/60R14
P215/60R15
P225/50R16
Backspacing - The distance from the inside of the rim to the point where the wheel contacts the brake drum. All car 5 1/2" wide wheels have a backspacing of 4 1/4". FC wheels have a backspace of 3 1/2". For reference, more backspace moves the wheel further in the wheelwell, less backspace brings it out. Maximum backspace for an early with 15" wheels is 5", late is 5 1/4".

(4.0 inches = 101.6 mm backspacing).

Note: I prefer using backspace to offset, since there is some difference of opinion as to which way is "negative" or "positive" offset - the current catalogs show "positive" as the mounting surface of the wheel being closer to the outside of the rim than the inside. I will generally use backspace.

Since the common lug pattern for GM RWD from the 50's to the present is 5 x 4 3/4", lots of different wheels will bolt onto a late model. The pattern for earlies is uncommon among U.S. makers, but is common on RWD Mazdas, Nissans, and Toyotas. 14", 15", 16" or even 17" diameter wheels will fit on all Corvairs, but the width on earlies can't exceed about 7" because of two points of interference. On the front, the end of the steering arm comes close to the sidewall, and on the rear, the upper shock mounting point is close to the sidewall. Fitting quick steering arms may help the clearance problem up front, while some careful trimming may increase clearance in the rear.

Image
:link: http://autoxer.skiblack.com/tires.html

TIRE RACK :link: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.js ... &tab=Specs
Image
ADVANTAGE T/A SPORT (H- OR V-SPEED RATED) (Grand Touring All-Season)

195/60R15 RIM WIDTH RANGE: 5.5-7.0" OVERALL DIAM: 24.2" REVS. PER MILE: 859
195/65R15 RIM WIDTH RANGE: 5.5-7.0" OVERALL DIAM: 25.0" REVS. PER MILE: 832
205/60R15 RIM WIDTH RANGE: 5.5-7.5" OVERALL DIAM: 24.6" REVS. PER MILE: 842
Brad Bodie
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Re: Wheels/Rims for 63 Corvair

Post by terribleted »

hugofant wrote: Fri Jun 08, 2018 11:08 am
The poster states those wheel were stolen and the replacements wear 205/60/15 on the same car slightly different offset so perhaps not an issue.
Correct, but the new rims where also 15x6 instead of 15x7.....
This should not change the width of the installed tire by enough to make any significant difference.
Corvair guy since 1982. I have personally restored at least 20 Vairs, many of them restored ground up.
Currently working full time repairing Corvairs and restoring old cars.
https://www.facebook.com/tedsautorestoration/

Located in Snellville, Georgia
hugofant
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Re: Wheels/Rims for 63 Corvair

Post by hugofant »

@bbodie52 : thnx, but i've already read this info multiple times and they're still not fully logical to me. for example
P205/60R15 (all, good replacement for 1966 - 69 7.00-13)
...why only a good replacement for 1966 to 69, as size is nearly ident to the orignal one (185/80) on Earlies?
...and P195/70R14 has the same size but is a "good replacement for 1960 - 65 6.50-13"...

@terribleted:
This should not change the width of the installed tire by enough to make any significant difference.
from my point of view it can make a big difference, as tire/rim comes out wider (for avoiding contact to ball joint) and may rub on the fender....or am i wrong?

I dont want to be unfriendly but instead of more theory i would prefer feedback from direct sources.
Question is simple: has somebode 15x7 rims (with about 20mm offset) on his Early (with standard steering arms) and which tires are mounted?

thanks and best regards
Roman
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