<VV> RE: Lookiing for FC wheel rims

[EVERETT WILSON]

On the '64 FCs it is the Tie Rod end that rubs on the inside of an incorrect rim.  When I got mine, I didnt notice that the rear wheels were different than the front wheels (all were 14" with 195/70-14 tires) until I put one of the rears on the front, snugged the lugnuts by hand and then went to spin the wheel to be sure the brakes werent rubbing.  I couldnt spin the wheel, it was firmly pressed against the tie rod end.  That wheel had the yellow paint marker note on the inside that said "'70 Oldsmobile".  
   
  Everett Wilson
  North Richland Hills TX

BBRT <chsadek at comcast.net> wrote:
  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" 
To: 
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 11:57 AM
Subject: 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
> 

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