I have a 1979 corvette I've owned for a few months now and I’ve worked through most the road bumps but this one has me a little confused. I’m trying to figure out what size offset wheels I need and if I have the correct front brakes for the car. Unfortunately the car didn’t come with the original wheels. The wheels on the car have the logo ARE on them and the wheel size is 255/60 15. My problem is they have huge spacers in there so I do not have allot of stud for the lug nuts left. I’m also not so sure I have the stock brakes on the car. My rear brakes both have the number 54738007 on in them and the front has 2 very different numbers but look identical one is 5473796 and the other is 345227(3) I’m not 100% sure the last number is a 3 it’s a little worn. I’m getting ready to rebuild my front calipers but don’t want to find out the calipers are too big. Thank you for any insight

 

I hate spacers...

The original wheels were 15"x8" with 4" offset and a 5x 4.75" lug pattern. If you have spacers, subtract the thickness of the spacer from 4", and you will get your new offset number. Good spacers will have their own lug studs in many cases, so you can bolt them on, and then bolt the wheels to the spacers. Thinner spacers will pass the threaded lug through.

bill.

 

My Vette had washers behind the wheels. I picked out a set of stock steel wheels from Ecklers. I have 10 inches of rubber on the rear and 9 in the front. I really dont care for spacers, of any type.



I wanna go with these, all the way around.

15X10 Centerlines
I could go 12 in. of rubber all around.

 

Thank you. Looks like wheel shopping I go. I think the stock 8in wheels will be the direction I go. It may simplify my problems.

 

Good idea.
The stock wheelswill solve your prob.

Since Vettes are really built for the twisties, who wants a wheel taking its own trip and leaving you behind. [&:]
I just dont trust spacers. [:'(]

 

Welcome to the Corvette Forum. I agree with the rest, lose the spacers. Loose wheels wreak havoc w/ fiberglass. []

As to the calipers, the front and rear look very similar. One has two bleeder screws and the other only one. Can't remember which tho. Both have a single pin thru an ear on top of the caliper to hold the pads in. Post a pic if you're not sure.