The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Stock 16” wheels question

Hello fellow Bolters…

I have a question that I’m sure will seem silly to those of you that have been into the Chevy world for longer than I have, which isn’t very long for me.

I’ve been trying to hunt down a stock size 16” steel wheel for my ‘53 3100 locally (Western NC), but I’m not having much luck. Trying to source one local to avoid shipping one if possible. I’m missing my spare and trying to put one together.

I’ve read somewhere recently that any Chevrolet 6 lug 16” wheel up to around 1970 will be the same width and backspacing as what came on my ‘53, is there any truth to this? Is the only difference in a later 6 lug wheel would be that it wouldn’t have the hub cap clips?

Thanks in advance for helping the newbie!

If you want to buy a new 16" rim read here for comments by Otto:
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1474938

During the last 30 years, wreck yards in my area of NC (Piedmont) have been pulling out the Camaros, Mustangs, classic cars and trucks. They are sold to buyers, some in foreign lands regardless of condition. The price of scrap metal went up and unfortunately the old lead sleds were crushed. The last Flea Market I went to in Charlotte was scarce of original stock parts. Mostly new reproduction stuff for our era of trucks.

The specs for the 1953 wheel is in the second link. I only have a cut-n-paste (attached picture) of a 1965 wheel. As far as width and backspacing, read and come up with your own conclusions.

Note from Moderator: OP is not asking anyone to buy anything only asking where to find a wheel.

buoymaker,
Thanks a bunch for that info.

I lucked up yesterday, found an old yard 30 minutes away from me that still had some AD trucks. Most of the usual, easily pulled “good” stuff from these truck had long been scavenged, but I pulled a spare wheel and tire straight from the spare hanger off of one. Still has 40 year old air in the tire! Brought home a Carter YF 966S for cheap, too.

I’m a “youngin’” in this old Chevrolet truck world at 45, but in the last few weeks of new ownership, I’ve managed to meet an old timer that has several AK trucks and a daily driver AD that lives less than a mile from me. I certainly appreciate his enthusiasm to willingly pass on knowledge to new guys like me and appreciate the help of this forum as well.

Not sure where in the Piedmont region you are, but I’m over in Marion.

Go back to that yard and get the spare tire mounting brackets and hardware. You'll probably never come across another one.

Agree with Otto on spare tire mount!
Also, make sure the 16" rims are the same width. I have seen skinny to fat ones at picking yards..maybe car rims and truck?
The YF966S Carter is what I run on my 1957 235 engine!
It Purrrrsss with that carburetor!!
Just get a Quality rebuild kit..
Todd

Brando 4905 Have 4 of those wheels and more but can't deal em here,if of interest to you maybe connect other ways.

Copy that. Definitely plan on a return trip, making a list so I don’t forget the little things I’m after too. I’d like to have a couple distributors to rebuild and I also need a vac line clip that goes on the t-stat housing.

I was thinking when I paid the owner $30 a piece for the spare tire and Carter that he was high on prices, but after I saw what folks charge for Carter cores, I think I did ok. This carb isn’t frozen up and the wheel still has good hub cap clips.

My truck has a Weber 32/36 that I feel would look more at home on one of my VW’s……however, it runs pretty sweet with that rectangular monstrosity on there. Can’t wait to experiment with the Carter. I’ll need to figure out setting up the throttle cable back to stock somehow to run it.

If your truck is running well with the Weber, I'd leave it on there and not try to solve a problem that doesn't exist.

Ditto on rim width. They may look the same from the side, but I had 3 different widths on my ‘37 when I pulled the rotten tires off. I’m still looking for 2 more 4.5x16. (Not original to a ‘37 but I have 2 in pretty good shape) I have 1@ 4 and 1@5” I’ll use one for the spare.