Trip to Carlisle

[66NICK98]

I should have posted this as a new thread now that I think of it and not in
my rambling response to 67HEAVEN.

I havn't been to Carlise since 98 when took the 98 conv. there when I belonged to the c5 registry.

I got to the show at approx. 8:30
on Sunday after a 3 hour drive from NJ. It was still raining at that time and a lot of
vendors were leaving. It turned out to be a pretty nice day however. My main goal
of going to Carlisle this year was to find a spare knock-off wheel for my 66. I am
happy to report that I did find one and I learned some things at the same time...such
as there is only one company making knock-offs now from the original GM mold. They
are lovingly made in China (surprise!) and the painted surfaces are really not a grayish
color anymore but a powder-coated blackish.

Now, I have a set 4 old Western Wheel repros on the car with bright chrome cones
(which are for 65s not 66 which use brushed chrome). No biggy - not many people
know the diff. But I do and it bugs me. I received a set of brushed cones for my
birthday a few years back but they did not fit on the Western Wheel knock-offs.
Basically they were too short...so when you put the spinner on there still space between the spinner and the cone....not good.

When I got the new knock-off home on Sunday my friend and I compared wheels.
The overall dimensions of the wheels are the same and the new one did fit on the car
however, there is a difference between the wheels in regards to the very center fins...
the ones that surround the hole the adapter goes through. I will have to carry one of
the brushed chrome cone with me at all time in case I need to change a tire which is
not a problem because it is just a spare.

I am assuming that the new knock-off is correct and that my Western Wheels were
made slightly different from the originals GM manufactured. My quest now would be
to find Brushed Chrome Cones manufactured by Westerm Wheels to replace the bright
chrome ones. But what would the Corvette hobby be to us all without on-going search for a
part we need? Life would be very dull indeed.

I will try and post pictures of the cones so everyone can see the differences.

Sincerely,
Nick

 

[ctjackster]

interesting data in your post. as for having to carry a cone for the possibility that you get a flat and need to use your spare, isn't the cone just show, as in it provides no function, so you could go "coneless" for the trip home with the spare?

 

[66NICK98]

Thanks, ctjackster. I far as I can see there would be nothing to hold the wheel to

the hub except the spinner. The spinner tightens against the cone which tightens

against the wheel. I have an old set of knock-offs that have no safety features.

 

[JL66REDCPE]

Nick - the cone is not used to retain the wheel on the hub. The spinner alone hold the wheel on the hub. The cone is held onto the wheel by a thick bead of silicone. It is glued to the wheel. The space you mention is normal unless it is really big.

 

[66NICK98]

To be honest i have never tried to put the spinner on with out the cone, JL, but

is sounds like I should be able to put the spinner on all the way down the adapter

until it hits the wheel. I certainly will try it and let you know. You are absolutley

correct about the bead of silicone - the guy I bought the knock-off from said the

same thing. I can't remember seeing anyone with the Western Wheels like mine

and I was looking at Carlise for someone who did but did not notice any.

Thanks for the response.

 

[JL66REDCPE]

Nick -- I forgot to mention -- I have a set of early western wheel knock offs. If you like, I can send you the write up on how to properly install KO wheels.

 

[66NICK98]

That would be greatly appreciated...are you sending via e-mail? My e-mail is
nwells@bear.com.

By the way, what do you use as a spare? A fifth Western Wheel or modern one?
Have you ever seen the Western Wheel Brushed Chrome Cones for sale at show?

Thanks

 

[Sting Ray]

The Western's are the more "correct" repo's, although they are not really repo's, they were the over the counter replacements availible through the GM dealers untill some time in the mid 70's. And yes they are hard to find, it sounds like yours are '64's and that is why they are grey.

Tom M