WHAT WHEELS ARE ON A 1968 SS 396 NOVA? I HAVE HEARD DIFFERENT ANSWERS FROM NUMEROUS PEOPLE AND THOUGHT SOMEONE HERE COULD GIVE ME THE CORRECT ANSWER. HOPEFULLY XT's WITH HUBCAPS BECAUSE I ALREADY HAVE THEM. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.JEFF
:beers:

Hey Thanks For The Help Guys!!!!!!! Your Input Really Helps!!!!!

The SS package called for heavy duty suspension and came with Rally Wheels as part of the Trim Package. Depending upon the brakes installed (disc or drum) the wheels changed. In 1968 they used Corvette disc brake calipers (four puck full floating) which dictated a 15" Corvette Rally wheel. Other wise you would get the standard 14" drum Rally wheel. As to what the part number was I have no idea. Chevy has made five different rally wheels over the years. Your best bet would be to reference a restoration parts vendor's web site and see what they offered by year and model, as they note the various parts to fit the correct options.

Big Dave

The only listing I can find for the 68 SS with disc brakes and Rally wheels is XG. It is a 14x6 with 3.5" backspacing. Are the XT wheels you are referring to just a plain steel wheel that had a hubcap on it? If so they are not correct for an SS 396 Nova. Disc brakes were part of the package and would have the XG rally wheels.

I was reading trough a brake parts catalog last night and they did indeed make a 14" Rally Wheel to clear the Corvette full floating calipers, but it was rare. Sorry for the bad info on the 15" rim. Most people back then (when muscle cars were still called used cars and not muscle cars) swapped up to 15"x7" or 15"x8" 'vette wheels to stuff more rubber under the back of the car.

Big Dave

1968 SS Nova was equipped with a 14 x 6 steel wheel...code was XF....they are hard to find..also used on some 68 Camaros.....the Rally wheels and/or SS hub caps were also available...15" wheels were never an option, though they certainly will work. The HD finned drum brakes were standard equipment... 4 piston discs were optional, but very few 68 cars got them. The XT wheels were introduced in 1969 and were the std. wheel for the SS package on the Nova and Camaro...size was 14 x 7..the XT wheel was also used for the 1970 SS Nova...disc brakes became a std. component of the SS package in 1969..but the Rally wheels were still an option....1969 also saw the introduction of the SS magnum style wheel which was 14 x 7 and was available on the Nova, Camaro and Chevelle.


wilma

Thanks for the help it is much appreciated. I thought the XT's were both 6" and 7" with '68's being the 6 inch and the 7 inch being the latter. I am not trying to be exactly correct but somewhat close. So could a 68 SS396 possibly come with steelies and dogdishes with disc brakes? Thanks,Jeff

Not and clear the 1968 Corvette four puck full floating calipers. You had pistons on both sides of the rotor, not just the inboard side as in 1969 single puck disc brake. Took special wheels to clear all that cast iron.

Big Dave

Thanks for the help it is much appreciated. I thought the XT's were both 6" and 7" with '68's being the 6 inch and the 7 inch being the latter. I am not trying to be exactly correct but somewhat close. So could a 68 SS396 possibly come with steelies and dogdishes with disc brakes? Thanks,Jeff


The XT's were only available as a 14 x 7 wheel starting in 1969....my guess is the XF wheels will work with the 4 piston discs...but I will double check with my sources and confirm. Sent you a PM about some 14" wheels...

wilma

Tom I called you and left you a message on the wheels.Thanks for all the help.