Spare Tire Wheel Weights

[Dan L.]

For the purpose of NCRS Judging does the spare tire/wheel in my 66 need to have wheel weights? Thanks

Dan
54915

[Michael M.]

Re: Spare Tire Wheel Weights

It really does not need a wheel weight unless the wheel with the tire mounted is out of balance. I do believe that the judges like to see a weight on the wheel.

[Edward J.]

Re: Spare Tire Wheel Weights

Dan, it may depend upon the judge. it is possible that the wheel may not of had a weight, but if it were me I would put something on the wheel. even if its not balanced correctly.

[Dan L.]

Re: Spare Tire Wheel Weights

Thanks Ed and Mike - will add a correct weight for judging.

[Leif A.]

Re: Spare Tire Wheel Weights

Thanks Ed and Mike - will add a correct weight for judging.

I wouldn't. If you feel rather certain that this is the original wheel and tire that came with your car I would leave it completely "as is". Especially, if there is no indication that a wheel weight may have at one time resided on the interior rim. Don't add a weight "just cuz"...there are many instances of tires balancing out without any weight whatsoever. You should not (and, probably will not) get a deduction.

[Jimmy G.]

Re: Spare Tire Wheel Weights

Short Answer ---- YES

[Gary B.]

Re: Spare Tire Wheel Weights

...there are many instances of tires balancing out without any weight whatsoever...

Leif,

What's the basis for your statement, specifically for original '66-era tires and wheels? My guess is that almost no '66-era tire and wheel was close enough to the GM spec to require no balance weights.

Gary

[Leif A.]

Re: Spare Tire Wheel Weights

Leif,

What's the basis for your statement, specifically for original '66-era tires and wheels? My guess is that almost no '66-era tire and wheel was close enough to the GM spec to require no balance weights.

Gary

Gary,
When I was a senior in high school (1966-1967) I worked in a tire store, part time, mounting and balancing tires. Most required some amount of added weights to correctly balance, but I can remember many instances when a tire wheel combo didn't require any weight at all to balance correctly. There used to be a paint dot on these old tires and I was always told that if you align the paint dot with the valve stem, the tire/wheel combo would require the least amount of added weight. Have no idea if there was any validity to this, but I always balanced that way. Just my experience.

[Michael J.]

Re: Spare Tire Wheel Weights

Short Answer ---- YES

+1, agree, and make sure they are Micro weights with ounces marked on both ends.

[Dan L.]

Re: Spare Tire Wheel Weights

Thanks guys for your advise an guidance. One more quick question - although I have the steel wheels and bias ply tires I run it on direct bolt knock offs. Are the lug nuts interchangeable.

[Gary B.]

Re: Spare Tire Wheel Weights

Although Micro logo weights made by Bada are perfectly acceptable, so are 3 or 4 other logos/manufacturers if you happen to find them. My article in the Restorer from a few years ago shows photos of most logos that are C2 & C3-era correct. For C3s, it's possible that Micro was not the most common logo weight used.

Gary

[Duke W.]

Re: Spare Tire Wheel Weights

All wheel/tire assemblies were static balanced by St. Louis with any necessary weight placed on the inside of the wheel, only. In all my years of installing tires on my cars I recall one instance where the assembly was in "perfect" dynamic balance and did not require any weight added on either side. I think this situation is very rare, so installing a small weight of proper configuration would likely not lead to any questions by the judging team.

If you know of a shop that has an old-fashioned "bubble balancer" that only static balances the assembly, it's probably worth the small cost to have it static balanced.

Duke

[Ed D.]

Re: Spare Tire Wheel Weights

Had points deducted for no wheel wts at a National
Ed

[Harry S.]

Re: Spare Tire Wheel Weights

When I judge exterior I look for 2 or 3 of the 5 to have weights. I had my five 63 steel wheels straightened. Another shop mounted the tires and added the weights, only two wheels needed weights the other three were fine. Saying that, it is possible to not need any weights. Seeing all five without weights raises a red flag.

[Don B.]

Re: Spare Tire Wheel Weights

Where in the world would you find the correct weights for a C3?