Repro Trim ring vs. valve stem

[Tom L.]

I have repro trim rings on my '72 and they are digging into and damaging the valve stems. Want to replace them with new ones. The JG says they should be 1.3" long and the ones in the wheels are 2 1/4" long. Anyone know if the shorter ones will eliminate the interference? Thanks!

[Don L.]

Re: Repro Trim ring vs. valve stem

Hi Tom. I went to the garage this morning and measured my valve stems for you, with and without the Dill cap installed. My car is currently wearing reproduction trim rings. I keep the original style rings, along with numerous other original parts in a tub, typically bringing them out only for judging. I do not have issues with diameter of valve stem vs diameter of ring opening at all. Not sure which type ring you have but mine are the ones with the 4 gripping "paws", which engage with the rim's outer bead, just as the originals do. I've seen other rings that install much like a typical wheel cover.

See attached pics. Basically, I see approximately 1.3" from the rim to the end of stem threads. When the Dill cap is installed, the length looks to be more like 1.4"-1.5".

Hope this helps.

[Mike E.]

Re: Repro Trim ring vs. valve stem

Shorter ones won't eliminate the interference---unless they are so short they fit under the lip of the trim ring, and in that case you won't be able to inflate the tire without taking off the ring. The ring should not move on the wheel unless you have an inferior reproduction.

[Mark E.]

Re: Repro Trim ring vs. valve stem

My car is currently wearing reproduction trim rings... with the 4 gripping "paws", which engage with the rim's outer bead, just as the originals do. I've seen other rings that install much like a typical wheel cover.

Don,

I'm looking for a set of repro trim rings. What do you think of yours? Do they look close to original? Do they have the chamfered edge (many repro rings do not)?

[Tom L.]

Re: Repro Trim ring vs. valve stem

I took a pic of what I have, you can see the gouges in the side of the stem. I have it pushed away from the ring to show the damage (Honestly the damage is worse than it looks in the pics). The trim rings are not the 4 clip style, they're the cheap repops that have dozens of fingers grabbing the rim. From Don's pics it looks like the real problem is the location of the hole in the ring, too close to the outer edge of the ring OR the opening is just too small. I'm hopefully going to change out the stems this week. Will update with the results. I'm suspecting thst I might be looking for trim rings at Carlisle this year. Thanks!

Stem.jpg

[Owen L.]

Re: Repro Trim ring vs. valve stem

From Don's pics it looks like the real problem is the location of the hole in the ring, too close to the outer edge of the ring OR the opening is just too small.

I think the issue is that the opening for your rings is circular whereas the stock ring design is oblong. Take a look at Don's ring opening again - you can see how the stem isn't going to rub on the ring due to the hole shape.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Repro Trim ring vs. valve stem

They should definitely be oblong. I have never saw any that weren't.

[Don L.]

Re: Repro Trim ring vs. valve stem

Don,

I'm looking for a set of repro trim rings. What do you think of yours? Do they look close to original? Do they have the chamfered edge (many repro rings do not)?

Mark,
I bought my reproduction trim rings form Paragon and I like them just fine. They might be a bit more polished/shiny than OE, but because my car is a fully restored car, I kinda don't mind them being that way.

Here's a pic I took this morning. If by "chamfer" you mean the outside corner where the flat surface (you know, the one that gets eaten by curbs if not careful), makes the bend to the depth surface, there is indeed a chamfer. If you mean the very inner edge where the ring terminates against the wheel, I'd say mine is more of a "bead" than a "chamfer."

Is the repro ring just like the OE? I don't know without holding them side by side. If you like, I can and will fetch an original from my stash in the garage attic and take a pic. I do know that retaining clip placement on my reproduction rings is more like the later OE ring. Location is "some distance from the hole", as is stated in '70-'72 Judging Guide.

Hope this helps.

BTW, the tire in my photo is a "driver" tire - Firestone WIDE OVAL radial, not tires used for judging.

[Lawrence M.]

Re: Repro Trim ring vs. valve stem

Mark,
There was an excellent article on Rally Wheel Trim Rings written by Rick Miller in the Vol 34 # 1 Summer 2007 Restorer. Keen Parts has an ad in the current Driveline for their new reproduction trim rings which they claim are exact reproductions. They look good in pictures on their web site. I have not seen them in person.

[Mark E.]

Re: Repro Trim ring vs. valve stem

Mark,
I bought my reproduction trim rings form Paragon and I like them just fine. They might be a bit more polished/shiny than OE, but because my car is a fully restored car, I kinda don't mind them being that way.

Here's a pic I took this morning. If by "chamfer" you mean the outside corner where the flat surface (you know, the one that gets eaten by curbs if not careful), makes the bend to the depth surface, there is indeed a chamfer. If you mean the very inner edge where the ring terminates against the wheel, I'd say mine is more of a "bead" than a "chamfer."

Is the repro ring just like the OE? I don't know without holding them side by side. If you like, I can and will fetch an original from my stash in the garage attic and take a pic. I do know that retaining clip placement on my reproduction rings is more like the later OE ring. Location is "some distance from the hole", as is stated in '70-'72 Judging Guide.

Hope this helps.

BTW, the tire in my photo is a "driver" tire - Firestone WIDE OVAL radial, not tires used for judging.

Don- Here's the edge I'm talking about. Some of the repro rings don't have this "chamfer" or "scallop" along this outside edge. Yours does.

Tom- I agree that your issue with the valve stem may be due its hole in the trim ring is the wrong size/shape.

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[Douglas C.]

Re: Repro Trim ring vs. valve stem

#643207 @ Corvette Central looks correct. $439 set of four. Anyone seen these?
Doug

[David B.]

Re: Repro Trim ring vs. valve stem

Not into 70/72s however looking at the 70/71 AIM UPC-10 A1 It indicates a valve stem extension was to be installed after the trim ring installation. This would indicate the valve stem at assembly was not meant to protrude above the ring. Am I missing something here??

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Repro Trim ring vs. valve stem

The same page in the '69 AIM does not mention extensions but I think the reference to these is for PO2 option which does need an extension. These are listed on the sheet UPC 0 sheet C1 part #9417745. I don't have a 70/71 AIM so it very well may be mentioned there.
Jeff

[Mark E.]

Re: Repro Trim ring vs. valve stem

Not into 70/72s however looking at the 70/71 AIM UPC-10 A1 It indicates a valve stem extension was to be installed after the trim ring installation. This would indicate the valve stem at assembly was not meant to protrude above the ring. Am I missing something here??

Interesting. My copy of AIM UPC 10 A1 doesn't show a valve stem extension. It doesn't even list a valve stem or core in the PN list. Note "C" says "Install valve assembly tubeless tire (part of tire unit as received) in wheel assembly. This suggests the valve stem and its core is part of the "tire unit" and not listed separately.

I haven't looked for it, but maybe there's a page for PO2 wheel covers which may require an extension?

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Repro Trim ring vs. valve stem

The 69 AIM does not have a PO2 page but the contents are listed as I said above. It calls out the extension specifically for the PO2. The extensions are made by Schrader and are about 7/8" long.
Jeff