<VV> RE: Lookiing for FC wheel rims

[BBRT]

Craig,

My '64 FC Van is what I was referring to. The tie rod end? or lower ball 
joint? hit the edge of the rim. Didn't try the wheels on my '62 FC.

Chuck "FC-less" S

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Craig Nicol" <nicolcs at aol.com>
To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 11:57 AM
Subject: <VV> RE: Lookiing for FC wheel rims


> The data point that FC's had special rims designed for ball joint 
> clearance
> is new to me and very interesting.
>
> A couple of related questions: Early FCs had front suspension that was 
> based
> on one Chevrolet model and later FCs had suspension based on another 
> model.
> I vaguely recall that earlier ones were based on passenger car/Corvette
> stuff and later ones were based on pickup parts (or was it vice versa?)
> Corvettes are definitely involved and that's why ebay ball joint auctions
> involve FCs and Corvettes.  Note that Corvette suspension design changed
> between 62/3 and so did FCs. Did FC suspension change because the Corvette
> parts were phased out? Did both early and late FCs require the special rim
> profile?
>
> My other point/question: All GM wheel rims of that era had a certain 
> profile
> to the inside rim.  This profile is now referred to as a "drum brake 
> wheel".
> In the late 60's somewhere, a new inner rim profile was introduces and 
> that
> new profile provided clearance for the then-new disc brake.  These are 
> known
> today as "disc brake rims" and AFIK this profile is what we have seen in 
> the
> aftermarket for the last 30 years.  I have a set of 14" Rally II wheels
> (Nova) that were used on an FC for many years and these have the "disc
> brake" profile.
>
> I suspect that any "disc brake" rim will fit the later FCs and possibly 
> the
> earlier models as well.  Note that not all rims are not made with the 
> three
> mounting knobs for the "poverty" hub caps, so you have to watch for that
> too.
>
> Has anyone tried a disc brake wheel on an early (61-2) FC?  Did both early
> and late FCs require the special rim profile?
>
> Craig (now you have me thinking) Nicol
>