Guys, I would like to reverse the stock wheels on my 49 chevy coupe. If my math works out correctly I am confident reversing them will put the wheel exactly where it needs to be, and the sidewall bulge that I am going for will clear the inner fender as well as the leaf springs. Does anybody have any examples of these wheels reversed? I have done this before, but I have never done it to 49-54 chevy wheels, and I would like to see examples of how they look. If anybody has any examples that would be great.
I remember reversing the rear wheels on my 53 Pontiac back in the 60's. Drilled out the rivets, pounded the centers out, reversed the centers and drove them back in with a big hammer. I got all the rivet holes to line up with drifts and center punches and had the guy next door wel them up for me - ran nice and true.
I have my doubts about how much offset you will gain using the stock, relatively narrow wheel rims. Perhaps you will gain more offset than I am imagining, not having a Chevy wheel to measure. I think a quick indicator would be to look at a bare wheel (no tire) and see how much to one side the rivets are........in other words, are the rivets closer to one bead flange than the other and, if so, by how much. The greater that distance, I would think the greater the offset gain from reversing them. Ray
Not 49 - 54 wheels, but close........The front wheels on my 34 are reversed 55 Chevy wheels. The rears have 55 centers, but with new 7" rims. Not sure how well they would fit on a 49 Chevy, though.
...can't remember how much they set out, but it was noticeable over stock rims,(maybe a couple inches) any more wouldn't fit on the car in the rear,...looked just rite.
From what you have done already, I'm sure you could weld the valve stem with know problems. But for me I would just add a stem. Reversing wheel also changes turning radius. I had forgotten about laying on the ground to check/add air when young.
I did this on My 54 It worked out great and the taper on the back side is a good look. Looking for pictures now.
IMG_0565 by gas pumper posted Mar 22, 2016 at 7:16 PM trying this again! IMG_0566 by gas pumper posted Mar 22, 2016 at 6:57 PM IMG_0556 by gas pumper posted Mar 22, 2016 at 6:57 PM IMG_0567 by gas pumper posted Mar 22, 2016 at 6:57 PM
IMG_0568 by gas pumper posted Mar 23, 2016 at 7:10 AM It's a 10 bolt Nova. could be 76 or 79, I don't remember. The wheel wells are pretty wide, Years ago I had 15x8 wheels back there with wide tires and everything fit. With the reversed stock wheels I have probably 3/4 to 1 inch on the outside lip, the tires have not hit the fenders yet. I do have a rear sway bar. The body don't lean. Stock springs with lowering blocks. I only remember that the Nova was very close to the stock width.
I was going to reverse the wheels on my 54 and then found some 7" station wagon wheels. Looked reversed already and allowed me to run Hurst cheaters. I have reversed a couple sets. I prefer to use a press to get the centers out. Bullet point drillbits work well to get to the rivets. Another thing, there are two types of riveted wheels. Flat countersunk rivets (my preference, easier to drill out) OR domed rivets. I find on the domed rivets it is easier to hit the top of them with a grinder/mill etc to get a flat surface to drill.
The only 'wagon wheels I knew of were 14". I recall them on '61 to '67 wagons, but may have been on other years.