1966 lug wrench, 1 or 3 hole??

[Steven S.]

The judging manual says 3 hole, but everyone lists the single hole for 1966. Is this a error in the judging manual or all the venders listing the wrong wrench?

Thanks,
Steve

[David L.]

Re: 1966 lug wrench, 1 or 3 hole??

Steve,

The lug wrench that came with my 1966 Corvette (Feb. 1966) has one hole (purchased in 1979). The 1966 Corvette assembly manual (and 1966 Chev. parts catalog, Oct. 65) lists the wrench as GM # 3858953. The lug wrench listed in the 1967 Corvette assembly manual is GM # 3898172.

The 3898172 lug wrench that I purchased from my local Chev. dealer back in the 1980's had 3 holes.

According to Chevrolet parts History GM # 3858953 was replaced in Feb. 1967 with GM # 3898172. There is no reference to the part number change shown in either 1966 or 1967 Corvette assembly manual.

I believe there is an article about 63-67 Corvette lug wrenches in one of the older Corvette Restorer Magazines.

The GM part number for the 63-E65 Corvette lug wrench is 3780737 (without any holes) and was replaced with GM # 3858953 in March 1965 on "over the counter" sales. I'm not sure when the change took place on the assembly line but I would guess it was sometime in the middle of the 1965 Corvette production.

Dave

[Ronald L.]

Re: 1966 lug wrench, 1 or 3 hole??

Dave, funny I was looking at this, jack & wrench just earlier today.

Do you have a picture of both?

I think we have to focus on not only the holes but the size and shape of the rivet that holds the 2 pieces together, maybe the socket end as well.

[David L.]

Re: 1966 lug wrench, 1 or 3 hole??

Ron,

When I get a chance I will take a picture on my 1966 lug wrench. I believe that I have sold all my other Corvette lug wrenches. Over the years I've had a few 63-E65 wrenches and a few 67-up wrenches. I have never found another 66 lug wrench (one hole) in the last 30 years.

I also have found Mustang lug wrenches at car swap meets that are very similar but have a 13/16" hex.

Dave

[Steven S.]

Re: 1966 lug wrench, 1 or 3 hole??

Thanks for the replies. Does anyone know why the judging manuals have it listed as a 3 hole? I just purchased the new and improved 1966 manual and it surprises me that they would still have this wrong, seems like it would be an obvious error.

Thanks,
Steve

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1966 lug wrench, 1 or 3 hole??

The GM part number for the 63-E65 Corvette lug wrench is 3780737 (without any holes) and was replaced with GM # 3858953 in March 1965 on "over the counter" sales. I'm not sure when the change took place on the assembly line but I would guess it was sometime in the middle of the 1965 Corvette production. ...

Dave -- the '65 AIM shows Revision Record from 3780737 to 3958953 on 9-1-64. The '65 TIM&JG says very early = no holes; then single hole.

Like you, I bought a '172' wrench from a GM dealer in the early '80s and it has a yellow paint stenciled part #; does yours ?

[Brian K.]

Re: 1966 lug wrench, 1 or 3 hole??

Does the one hole wrench have an "O" cast into it like the 3 hole?

[David L.]

Re: 1966 lug wrench, 1 or 3 hole??

Dave -- the '65 AIM shows Revision Record from 3780737 to 3958953 on 9-1-64. The '65 TIM&JG says very early = no holes; then single hole.

Like you, I bought a '172' wrench from a GM dealer in the early '80s and it has a yellow paint stenciled part #; does yours ?

Wayne,

My 1966 AIM shows the 3858953 wrench on UPC 10, sheet A5.
My 1965 AIM does not have this same page. I assume your 1965 AIM does have the wrench & jack drawing on UPC 10, sheet A5.

My 1966 lug wrench (GM # 3858953) has one hole and does have the forged "O" (for Otterburn, the manufacturer) on the lug head, picture #3. The rivet head measures 0.42" in dia. (picture #1) and has about 5 concentric circles on the head. The other end of the rivet measures 0.38" & 0.22" in dia. (see picture #2). I repainted the lug wrench sometime in the 1980's during the 15 year restoration period.
Enclosed are 3 pictures (revised).

I no longer have the NOS 3898172 lug wrench (3 holes) but I the part number was on a white GM tag (like white tape) with black text.

Dave

[Ronald L.]

Re: 1966 lug wrench, 1 or 3 hole??

Is the pic of the "o" shown?

[David L.]

Re: 1966 lug wrench, 1 or 3 hole??

Ron,
I revised the pictures. The "O" is on the lug head in the 3rd picture. That is the best that I can do with the pictures.
Dave

[Ronald L.]

Re: 1966 lug wrench, 1 or 3 hole??

David, thank I see the subtle O and will look Monday to see what kind of original stuff I can find. The over the counter service jack handle I have does not have either the correct rivet nor the O - in fact the jack is way wrong too.

[Ronald L.]

Re: 1966 lug wrench, 1 or 3 hole??

This brings up a good point I don't have clear either, one loop or two loops for the 66 spring that holds the jack down. Anyone know for sure?

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1966 lug wrench, 1 or 3 hole??

Ron,
I revised the pictures. The "O" is on the lug head in the 3rd picture. That is the best that I can do with the pictures.
Dave

Dave, Ron -- here's what I found on my OTC (mid-80s ?) wrench. The "O" is a raised casting of poor quality. Note the multiple fine concentric circles on the hinge rivet.

Now you guy are obliging me to dig out my other jack to count the holes. For my early '65 (014xx) I figure no holes; then for my late car, 1 hole, as I understand the paperwork. So I may be batting zero for two .

[David L.]

Re: 1966 lug wrench, 1 or 3 hole??

Wayne,

The lug head on your NOS 3898172 wrench appears to be longer (the 1.08"+/- dia. section) and the rivet head appears to be larger than 0.42".

The forged "O" on my 1966 lug wrench (GM #3858953) is "crisp".

BTW, I found the jack drawing in the 1965 AIM (UPC 14, sheet C1). The 1966 AIM shows the jack drawing in UPC 10, sheet A5.

Dave

[David L.]

Re: 1966 lug wrench, 1 or 3 hole??

This brings up a good point I don't have clear either, one loop or two loops for the 66 spring that holds the jack down. Anyone know for sure?

Ron,

The 1963 & 1964 springs have a single "hook". The change (on paper) from the single "hook" spring to the double "hook" spring took placed 10-19-64 as shown in the 1965 AIM (UPC 14, sheet C1) but who knows when the change took place on the assembly line.

The part number for either spring (single or double "hook") is 3786772 in both the 63-67 AIM's and 63-67 Chev. parts catalogs (Gr. 8.820).

The 3785772 spring was replaced with spring 3963108 in July 1973.
The 3963108 spring has smaller double "hooks" and the spring is a different length with a different number of coils. I have several of these 3 different springs in my 30-year collection. If necessary I can dig them out and take a picture.

Dave