tires/rims/hubcaps,etc

[Noel K.]

1965 Roadster -

I received the Kelsey Hayes 15 x 5.5" rims back from being media blasted and epoxy coated and will now be painting the back and inside with satin rustoleum. Will paint the face with gloss rustoleum.

Went to Carlisle this past weekend and purchased the hubcaps.

The Judging manual says the valve stems are 1 3/8" - is there a need to look for other than current production valve stems. The "nippled" valve caps are continuously offered on Ebay for about $10-$11 - and I assume they will be correct for judging.

Regarding the wheel weights - the judging manual says they are to be mounted on the inside (only) ? Should I look for original weights - escecially since I don't know what different weights i will need for each wheel - or simply have current production weights used when having the rims/tires balanced ?

I intend to move the Firestone bias ply goldlines to the steel rims for judging - and will be purchasing tires for the knockoffs that are on the car now to use as "drivers". Previous posts have me leaning to the Diamondbacks as opposed to the Coopers.

Am I off track anywhere ?

thanks in advance.

Noel Kendall

[Michael H.]

Re: tires/rims/hubcaps,etc

Noel,

I'm not 100% sure of this but I believe the valve stems should be 2" for 65-66, not the 1 3/8" that the JG mentions. Hopefully, others will have more info on this.

[Jack H.]

Re: tires/rims/hubcaps,etc

Yes the JG book calls for the 'shortie' valve stems on '65 wheels which makes it a real PITA to get an airhose onto the valve stem when the stock wheel cover is installed!

On where to get valve stems, you'll find catalog houses get a heafty premium for the 'real deal' items, but look a little further. Dill (an Eaton company) is still in business today and it's the house brand at Discount Tire!

On wheel weights, yep the factory only balanced them on one side (inside edge) because everything was fresh/new + the tires came marked as to how to mount on the rims for minimum wheel weight application. That's not the best way to balance a wheel when it's a used part with age on it, but that IS the factory concours method.

On wheel weights, here's what do out Denver way. Go mount the tires and have them balanced with off-the-shelf weights. Make a 'punch list' of what weight sizes you need. Go to a scrap yard that has older cars and 'harvest' a set of originals for your car and put them on one at a time in the same location(s) as the weights you're removing.

[John H.]

Re: tires/rims/hubcaps,etc

Noel -

Dill still makes about 250,000 of those "627" nippled valve stem caps every day - you'll find them on all new Chrysler products and on most new GM products.

[Eugene B.]

Re: tires/rims/hubcaps,etc

Noel,
In addition to the above replies, I will add the following. I just inspected my original '65 steel wheel, spare. The valve stem is indeed 2", as previously mentioned. Wheel weights are on the backside only.

Regarding your choice in back-side paint. I believe that the back-side, dipped primer has slighty more gloss than what you'll get with satin Rustoleum.

I hope that you find the information helpful. Good luck with your '65.

Regards,
Gene

[John D.]

Re: tires/rims/hubcaps,etc

John, The newly made 627 dill valve stem covers have smaller lettering than the older style. But you are correct. Those dimpled caps are everywhere. Recently I was at a Goodyear store and asked the manager if he had an old can of valve stem caps. I probably got a 100 for free and could have gotten more. Had both sizes of print. Big and small. They are on so many makes of cars. Can't believe it when I see guys paying major bucks for them when they are readily available.
Check ebay for the rubber valve stems. Wholesale tire paces list them in large quantities cheep. John D.