Dant

Hi everybody. I was wondering if a 15x7 Oldsmobile rally wheel will bolt up to a 73 Buick lesabre. I found a good price on rally wheel's but am not sure if they will work. I was reading something about other gm brands not working on Buicks without a spacer but I am not sure if that was Buicks older than 73 or not.

Thanks for the help!

copper128

No, Olds never made the SSII or III wheel in the 5x5" bolt pattern of the full-size Buick.

Allan R

The 15" Olds rallye wheels were 5 X 4.75" and you could get them for Delta 88. They were supposed to add the 'sport' look to the Holiday 2 door and had a special center cap. The 73 Buick Lesabre has HD brakes and suspension - which means the bolt pattern would be 5X5 like copper said. BUT, you MAY be able to get wheel adapters and make the rally 15" rallye wheels fit. Just have to check and make sure the brakes will fit inside the wheel. Measure what you've got and compare the inside diameter and depth to the Olds wheel. If it's the same? Adapters will work.

ah64pilot

Since we're on the subject, what is the A-body wheel lug pattern size? Every time I measure I get 5X4.5"...is the 5X4.75" for the big body cars?

I ask because I'm selling a set of Drag Lites and I keep getting ask if they are 5X4.75" pattern but I measure it and it's a two pattern wheel with 5X4.25" and 5X4.5" and IT FITS my car. Am I measuring wrong...learn me sumthin Allan!

Allan R

Steve, you're right about the A bodies. You measured right and there's nothing wrong with your reasoning. The Cutlass bolt pattern IS 5 X 4.5, that's why the Drag lites will fit - they have dual bolt patterns. Is it something like this?

The Delta was 4 X 4.75 EXCEPT when the car had the HD suspension and braking package; which I don't think many did. That changed the wheels and bolt pattern to 5 X 5. My 83 Ninety Eight Regency Brougham had that and had a 5X5 wheel bolt pattern. I got a set of those 4.75 Rallyes from a Delta in the boneyard only to find they didn't fit. That's how I learned a long time ago about the difference on the 88 and 98.

Here's a reference thread I just found. Joe P explains....https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...tml#post181483

ah64pilot

Ok good...I just didn't wanna miss a sale for lack of knowledge. I'm not stupid, but even smart people make stupid mistakes. Just wanted to make sure I was measuring correctly. So they are 5 lug by 4.5" spacing. Thanks Allan

ah64pilot

PS, you might wanna edit your post above to say 5X4.5"...don't want anyone searching this thread later on to see that, as if anyone searches for answers lol!

copper128

Guys, NO, the Cutlass and other A/G bodies (1964-1988) bolt pattern is 5 x 4.75 as were most other GM rear wheel drive cars from 1977-newer (excepting some full-size cars like wagons, police cars and HD brake options).
All full size GM cars (except Chevy) used the 5x5" bolt pattern up through 1976.


OK, OK... the 330-powered Jetstars had 5 x 4.75. But I was trying to simplify this a bit.
As a warning - there are some exceptions to these general rules, but not many.

ah64pilot

So am I measuring wrong or is my tape measure off by 1/4"? Sorry for the crummy cell phone pic...

copper128

Well, your tape is probably fine, lol!

Remember the pattern is also known as a "bolt circle", so the measure is the diameter of the circle that would be formed by running through the center of all the bolts.
Measuring from stud-to-stud is not an accurate measurement because the 2 studs are not directly accross from each other in the circle (since there are 5 of them).

A better way is to measure from the center of one stud to the outside edge of the other. This should be just about 4.75"

Allan R

Yes, you are right. I have NO idea how I ended up typing 4.5 because I know the patter is what you posted - prolly the same way i typed 4 instead of 5?? My apologies. Steve you ok with that too?

ah64pilot

I am now...I just sold those Drag Lites for $300 - I paid $150 for them so I doubled my money Who said car parts could never be an investment? lol! I'm saving up for the Billet Specialty Street Lite wheels http://www.billetspecialties.com/whe...e-15-diameter/

I found this also that describes the proper method for measuring them - http://www.mrt-wheels.com/boltpattern.html

Allan R

Congrats! Parts are how ALL brands make $$$. That's why the build them so cheap nowadays. Cool link for measuring.

rcrac3r

Dant like everyone says bolt pattern is specific to alot of cars. And FYI the old Cutlass is still running great.