Space Saver Identification

[6970Z28SS]

I have a space saver wheel, D78x14 BF Goodrich that I need help identifying.
Ink stamp on the tire is 0259M1A
Stamp around the stem is NR on the left side and 2 on the right side
It is a 5 on 4 3/4 wheel.
It looks like it has never been on the ground.

Thanks!

 

[DCL70]

What are the wheel dimensions?
14" X 6", 14" X 5" ???
Are you absolutely sure that the bolt circle measures exactly 4 3/4"?
Are there any other stampings on the wheel?
The tire should have a date of manufacture molded into the rubber.

My 1973, 1974, and 1975 Chevrolet Parts Catalogs list GM # 326843 as the space saver wheel (14" X 5", stamped "XA", 7.35 X 14 tire) for 1973-1975 Camaro models.

My 1971 and 1973 Pontiac Parts Catalogs list the following space savers:

GM # 9789327 (14" X 5", stamped "HE) for 67 Firebird models.
GM # 9792737 (14" X 5", stamped "HI", 7.35 X 14 tire) for 69-71 Firebird models.
GM # 9793592 (14" X 6", stamped "KC", 7.75 X 14 tire) for 68-72 Pontiac models (exc. B or full size)

The 2-letter stamping ("HE", "HI", "KC", etc.) is to the right of the valve. Kelsey-Hayes wheels also have a month and day stamped near the valve as well as a stamping like "K-1-0, K-1-1, K-1-2, etc, with the last number representing the year.
It appears that your wheel was not made by Kelsey-Hayes. Your wheel might have been made by Norris or Motor Wheel. The "NR" stamping might represent Norris.

Dave

 

[6970Z28SS]

Space Saver

Dave,

Sorry for the late reply. Came down with the flu this year.
Yes you are correct, the bolt pattern is 5 on 4.5 and not 4.75 like I thought.
This must be for a mopar or amc car.

Randy

 

[ricks717273Z28]

hi gents,
have a question on these space saver's,
had 2 previous original Z's 71 & 72 in my day, now my recent a 73.
i never had any spares on the 2,
while growing up my daily driver cars always did, factory,

i want to get a space spacer on my 73 Z, correct for the year, "incase" and yes for show,
can these use regular air incase i need to inflate it to 60 psi,,, instead of those CO2 canisters?

seems every blog stating they cannot find a place to refill these CO2..

and Dave, i see you once again have great info and wealth of knowledge LOL..

thanks
rick

 

[Gary S]

My experience with those inflatable spares wasn't good. I worked for a compay that had two cars with them. Both of the tires blew up within 15 miles on their first use. They were taken off the road after a few years because they commonly blew up, sometimes injuring the person inflating it. Keep it for looks, but don't risk your life inflating it. They didn't get stronger sitting around 45 years.

 

[ricks717273Z28]

Gary hey, thanks for your input.
yea kinda a my gut feeling as well, perhaps new version on todays cars are way different,
but 45 years ago on these design? hmm,,
i'm just contemplating, show which is really nice, or get a 14" rally deflated to fit area.
there's always my Hagerty Road Side I have, besides we go to shows, don't drive them long distances anyway.
if i was she's being on a hitch.

thanks
rick

 

[FS87LT]

When I ordered my '77 LT, I specified the Space Saver Spare so I could have a good bit of trunk room rather than not (with the full-size spare tire. First time I used the spare, it was kind of interesting watch it inflate, then suddenly, blossom into a near-normal size tire. Also interesting, upon deflating, watching it pretty much sit there as the gas decreased, then suddenly folding itself back up again. For good measure, I sprayed a light coat of silicone spray on it. Unless you have watched that happen, you need to.

The CO2 is there as it will remain at a constant pressure, almost exactly, as the ambient air temp changes. Yes, you can use normal air in them.

I used mine twice, with good results each time. Only thing is that as it was spec'd for a FR78-14 tire, the spare was a bit smaller in diameter, so only limited use for a rear tire with the G80 rear axle, after I put P225/70R-15 wheels/tires on it. AND, it's still in the trunk to this day, just as it came from the factory. ONLY other thing is that it has clearly aged-out of the useable life of the tire. I suspect a decent replacement for it would be a mini-spare from a newer GM car (many of which had dual bolt patterns on them).

With the mini-spare, you can still buy tires for them, for a price.

D78-14 tire size also dates the tire and might be a clue as to where the wheel/tire came from. Ford is the other big-user of teh 5x4.50 bolt pattern.

Enjoy!
FS87LT

 

[ricks717273Z28]

Gents,
found a few spare , on this particular one, K 1 3 , what is wrong with this picture

thanks

 

[DCL70]

Gents,
found a few spare , on this particular one, K 1 3 , what is wrong with this picture

thanks

There is nothing wrong with your photo. My brother who actually sell vintage Ford parts has a GM spare tire like that in his collection.

My 1973 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (July 1973) lists 326843 as the part # for "73-74 w/space saver tire, 73-74 Nova (exc. S.S,. rally wheel" and is described as "(14 X 5)(stamped XA)".
Dave

 

[ricks717273Z28]

Dave thanks but curious,
seems there is like no valve stem there lol..looks like an empty hole.
if you was ti fill it with air (or Co2) like like it will all leak out?