Trying to figure out the story with the valve stem openings. I Know the round circle opening is for the later model Camaros. Then we have the tight oval opening and on my 72 I have wide oval openings. I just realized this as I was picking up some spare wheels from my resto shop and saw all three variations right in front of me.

All along I thought there were only two, anyone know the correct applications for the two oval types?

correct for a '71-'72 Chevelle is the narrow oval
I think the wide oval is for the Camaro

I looked at a bone stock, very original 72 Chevelle SS small block car few weeks ago, car was a complete basket case with rust. The original owner said the wheels were original and they were the wide oval.

then maybe it's a build date thing.
I am the second owner of a car that was put in storage in 1978 & not even looked at (forgotton about) until 2004 & mine has the narrow openings

06C build date

I looked at a bone stock, very original 72 Chevelle SS small block car few weeks ago, car was a complete basket case with rust. The original owner said the wheels were original and they were the wide oval.

My car is a very late build '71 and has the wide oval holes...

maybe I'll need to check mine again......
what is the difference in sizes? anyone know?

There are four different versions of the five spoke wheel and they are insignificantly different.

The most noticable difference is the size & SHAPE of the hole in the trim ring above the valve stem, THAT THE VALVE STEM FITS THRU.

1). Oval hole 1" by 5/8" for 1970 thru 1970 1/2 Camaro Z28

2). Oval hole 1" by 13/16 for Camaro Z28 1970 1/2 thru 1976 & all Chevelle 1971 & 1972

3). Round hole 7/8" diameter for 77 & 78 Camaro Z28 painted car color

4). Round hole 1" diameter for 79 thru 81 Camaro Z28 painted car color

All four versions have the same GM part number & there is also a difference in the surface of each of the "spokes" themselves. The outer flat surface of the individual spokes of a Z28 wheels spokes are flat while the Chevelle wheel spokes are more outwardly rounded.

The 71 & 72 Chevelle "inner ring" of the wheels are flush with the trim ring while the later Z28 wheels are indented about 1/4" and are very noticable.


You may also want to have the wheels run up on a tire machine to make certain that they are true and not bent before you spend a lot of money on restoring them.


I love to give home made gifts, which one of the kids would you like?

Jim

A.C.E.S. # 4996 ( aces member id kinda matches my 496 stroker )


Frame off red 71 Chevelle SS496 (balanced, blueprinted & decked 454 block, bored .060 from 4.25 to 4.31 & stroked from 4.00 to 4.25, edelbrock aluminum heads, 10.2:1CR, hydraulic roller 550 lift cam, eagle crank, true fulcrum roller rockers, billet double roller chain, airgap intake, demon 850dp with no choke, MSD 6AL, jet coated super comp hookers, flowmaster 40’s, TH400 with extra clutches, shift kit & 3000 stall) Convertible with white stripes, top & interior loaded with factory options: TH400, cowl induction, power windows, locks, cruise, tilt, top, trunk, 12 bolt 373 posi, A/C, AM-FM 8 track, power drivers bucket seat, mirror map light, trunk, hood, glove box lights, on the wheel GM air pressure gauges, Delco Jac Pac 175 (under hood vacuum powered air compressor) with under dash Delco air pressure controller/regulator, complete with Jac Pac 175 air shocks.

http://chevelle.ogleonline.com/jim.htm

1952 Chevrolet 4 door Deluxe Sedan with a 216.5ci in line 6 with the last RAJO (RAcine JOe) Power Cylinder Head that never went to production, designed by grandfather in the 1940's. Joe bought the car new in June of 1952, passed away in October of 1952 and has been in the family ever since. Joe designed, built & sold all over the world performance heads during the 10’s, 20's, 30's & 40's starting with an OVERHEAD VALVE CONVERSION HEAD for the Model T Ford flathead. Joe drove in the FIRST INDY 500 in 1911 as car # 8 & was known worldwide in racing circuits as "The Flying Dutchman".

Watch for my SS496 Chevelle as a pace car at Indy in 2011 (100 years after Grandpa Joe) IF THEY WILL LET ME !

71BBSSCONV-Thats exactly what I needed to know. So for the 71-72 Chevelles it's the wide oval (1x13/16) that is correct. What a relief, I finally got something right the first time.

Do you know anything about the correct color for the backsides of the wheels?

The correct color is a dark charcoal gray (flat) with a pebble finish, below is what I painted my wheels with five years ago, the so called pebble finish is N O T available in the urethane mix which is a harder & more durable finish than the original lacquer. The back side of the wheel and the face are identical.
My spare tire is an original never been mounted to a car, the front & rear are the same color.

The following formula will make 60oz of Polyurethane Dark Charcoal Grey Paint.


DCC DK Argent Met. Flat NX
Match to DDL32961

DMC 900 38.0 38.0
DMC 908 10.0 48.0
DMC 983 110.0 158.0
DMC 902 153.0 311.0
DX 685 850.0 1161.0
DMC 981 790.0 1951.0

The formula also states to mix 4 parts paint one part either DU 5 or maybe DV 5

I am not certain if the so called pebble "rough" finish has to be added or if it was part of the original DDL32961 formula.

I love to give home made gifts, which one of the kids would you like?

Jim

Thanks Jim. I use the spray paint for the correct color and finish on the wheel face. It's a bit pricey but it's dead on and easy to use.

It's the backside that holds the controversy. Most folks seem to feel that the light gray color that looks like a primer is correct for the back side. I would be surprized to see a low end division like chevrolet spend the extra bucks to color match the backsides of the wheels, but anythings possible. Since the wheels that I have had the gray backsides, thats the way I think i'm going to go.

Guys, I stand.......er ah sit corrected.
My 72 has the wide oval valve stem holes in the wheels (all 5)

sorry to cause any confusion

The back side of the wheel and the face are identical.

I beg to differ.
I have an original 1973 Z/28 spare and the back side is definitely a different color and finish. I'll drag it out and get some pics.