Hi all, I have posted many threads here for info on chrome rallye wheels and am still a little in the dark... I have one final question, however, do the 895 code wheels work on my 67 lesabre with drums all round? can they be adapted? thanks Jim
OK, so according to the wheel chart, the 895 wheel was used from 71-85, and had the 5 X 5 bolt pattern. That means it went on Buick's biggest vehicles. If that wheel won't fit on a 67 LeSabre Drum, my question is what Buick wheel would? It has a 3" hub diameter according to the chart, and 3 7/8" back spacing. Take some measurements, and you should be reasonably sure it will fit. It should go over the drum I would think.
the issue isn't the bolt pattern Larry. the center hub was larger on the earlier cars. I'm not sure of the specifics but they don't all interchange.
The hub diameter is 3" on the 895 wheels. Why can't he just measure what he has? The only other wheel with a bigger hub diameter was the 1964 wheel at 3 1/2".
yes please be 10000% sure as I don't want to sell the parts that wont fit. Not all the rims are stamped either. I have no idea why gm was so stupid about these rims
Thanks to all so far for all the help...the hub diameter is smaller for my correct wheels the 802s so cant see why the 895s wont fit, but I don't know for sure, seems a real grey area this. I was informed some time ago that discs on drums is fine but not the other way around. I see the 895s have got more back space so it will sit the wheel further out by 1/2" so as long as it clears the inside I should be ok ( or get 1/2" spacers?)...I think.... just wanted to be real sure...anyway thanks to all for all help
No, more back space will move the entire wheel in towards the center line of the car. You can just take a tape measure and measure in 3 7/8" from the mounting surface of the drum, and that is where the inner edge of the rim will be. Then measure out 2 1/8", and that is where the outer edge of the rim will be. I bet it fits fine.
hi Larry, yeah that's what I meant to say, it will move the wheel to the centre, hence the use of spacers...yeah I think it will be ok, but many many thanks for your interest and advice, much appreciated
I believe that it also depends if you have the Aluminum finned front drums . I kinda remember some wheels , ( and I think they were the 895's ) not going all the way on . I had some 895's on my 69 Electra which would be the same as the LeSabre . Center cap holes are different size but even the earlier caps will fit on the newer wheels with a little coaxing . How about a set of hub caps that look exactly like the Chrome wheels . I posted a set on here a while back and Buick Swap Meet. You can't tell the difference unless you are right on top of them.
yeah they got drums all round...so you think the 895s don't go all the way on? what stops them? can you put spacers on? didn't know anything about the hubcaps and already paid for the wheels but thanks for the tip...don't know what you reckon but I was advised that fitting 'disc' wheels to drums is ok but not the other way around...thanks gsx455
Some Buicks had huge drums with FINS. The FINS interfered with the wheel. Just look at what you have. See if that is the case. I doubt it, otherwise your 802 wheels wouldn't fit either.
The question is do the front drums have the 90 or so fins on them ?? Are they Aluminum ??? Usually LeSabre's had the plain cast iron drums . I have 2 of the aluminum drums here but I think all my wheels are at the other location. I was going to try one of the wheels on the drums. I will be able to in a week or 2
You'll want to find 802's or 853's as the 895's will not fit over the drums. Due to their age they're harder to find in decent shape chrome-wise, but they're out there. You could use spacers, but that moves the wheel center further out from the hub bearings. I have used spacers on a '63 Electra and used 80's 15x7 big car station wagon wheels, which gives you better tire choices, without a problem. It's a cruiser and definitely not diving into corners, though....
hi 71gsx455, many thanks for your reply, most helpful... just one thing do you mean I can use 895s with spacers or not all? Much appreciated for your information, thank you, Jim
Yes, you will need spacers to mount 895's. I chose this kind of spacer as I did not want to have any length of wheel stud exposed to more shear than necessary: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cal-75817/overview/ This is the type I wasn't comfortable with: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/afc-31024/overview/ You don't need that much thickness to clear the drums, but to use the top link you need enough to clear the lug nuts that mount the spacers.
Just for future reference, here's some pictures that show wheels discussed above and the difference in profile. 853 Marking 853 Looking straight down 853 centering ring- sometimes centering rings are missing, but weld remnants remain. Wheel markings and profile- 853 802 wheel markings- the different profile is already visible 802 looking straight down 802 centering ring 802 on left; 853 on right. The difference in profile is very pronounced. The above should be helpful in identifying older wheels.
