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Rally wheel backspacing

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Rally wheel backspacing

Posted: 10/6/21 9:35amMessage 1 of 14
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Grapevine, TX - USA
Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1537
Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport M7 convertible.

So I want to replace my 50 year old 15 x 8  Rally wheels.  Can't seem to pin down the exact backspacing.

Various places list 4.0", 4.25", 4.5"....

Anyone know what it is supposed to be for my 72?

Also, anyone know of a good place to buy new Rally's at a reasonable cost?  I don't want the cheaper 10 hole universal fit Rally's.

   

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Re: Rally wheel backspacing

Posted: 10/6/21 10:05amMessage 2 of 14
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Burke, VT - USA
Joined: 1/23/2002
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Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
SOLD - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am
"BLUBYU" - '04 Coupe

Would think the specs would be somewhere in the Assembly Manual.

Bair's doesn't have any wheel specs on their site but MidAmerica does (1969-1982 steel rally wheel-15x8).

Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

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Re: Rally wheel backspacing

Posted: 10/6/21 1:43pmMessage 3 of 14
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Grapevine, TX - USA
Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1537
Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport M7 convertible.

Assembly manual is just going to tell you how to bolt them on.

Again, I've seen different backspacing on different parts places.  I had see that at MAM.

I'm thinking 4.25 might be the right answer.

But if you look at their aluminum wheels, they have a 4.5" backspacing.

Confused.



|UPDATED|10/6/2021 1:43:12 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

   

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Re: Rally wheel backspacing

Posted: 10/6/21 7:54pmMessage 4 of 14
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
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Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray

I just measured mine and from the wheel mounting surface to the inside edge of the bead flange is 3 1/2". That would equate to a negative 1/2" offset.

1973 L-82 4 spd

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Re: Rally wheel backspacing

Posted: 10/7/21 3:45pmMessage 5 of 14
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Equinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
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Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.

Greetings to those who may be interested.  The December 2021 issue of Corvette Magazine has a fantastic writeup on Roll Models, (wheels), for C1-C3 steel and aluminum wheels. It may answer All of your offset and back spaced questions. 

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Re: Rally wheel backspacing

Posted: 10/7/21 4:08pmMessage 6 of 14
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Grapevine, TX - USA
Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1537
Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport M7 convertible.

I don't get that mag anymore.

   

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Re: Rally wheel backspacing

Posted: 10/7/21 6:22pmMessage 7 of 14
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 916
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray

The article says that the 15x8-in rally wheel had a -11 mm offset in a 3 1/2" backspacing. Basically what I measured last night.  Not sure why they mixed measurement systems but it is what it is.

1973 L-82 4 spd

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Re: Rally wheel backspacing

Posted: 10/7/21 7:44pmMessage 8 of 14
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Grapevine, TX - USA
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Posts: 1537
Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport M7 convertible.

So that is 3.5 inches from the bead?  That would make it 4.0 inches from the lip....I guess.

   

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Re: Rally wheel backspacing

Posted: 10/7/21 9:37pmMessage 9 of 14
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 916
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray

It's from the inside vertical surface of the wheel that the bead rests against.  I used to measure from the flange to the mounting surface and that gave me 0 offset.  Need to measure the wheel and see where the 8"  measurement is.  Tomorrow's project.

1973 L-82 4 spd

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Re: Rally wheel backspacing

Posted: 10/8/21 10:42amMessage 10 of 14
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 916
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray

The 8-in measurement is from the inside of the flange across the wheel to the inside of the flange. So my previous measurements re: offset and backspacing are correct.  

1973 L-82 4 spd

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