Spinner Orientation

[Rob M.]

Okay, I hope this makes sense . . . .

At the regional last May, I took a small hit because the "spinner isn't oriented correctly" with the valve stem on the wheel cover. This was the case on two of the four wheel covers. Now, I don't remember which two are correct and which aren't.

Can someone post a picture, or explain the correct orientation of the spinners for a '66 relative to the valve stem?

Thanks in advance

[Page C.]

Re: Spinner Orientation

Hi Rob,
Seems that this subject has come up before. From memory(not always the best) it was a random orientation. Unless someone has a GM drawing to indicate otherwise, I can't imagine a production line worker worrying about how the spinner was in relation to the valve stem hole when there were 3 possible position that it could go.
Regards,
Page Campbell

[Joseph T.]

Re: Spinner Orientation

This is the configuration of the valve stem to spinner the exterior judges are looking for.

[Rob M.]

Re: Spinner Orientation

Thank you for the post and pic!

[Loren L.]

Re: Spinner Orientation

Perhaps the SINGLE MOST ASISNINE item in any and all of the judging manuals.....
Does anyone REALLY BELIEVE that the guy on the line bothered with this? His assignment was to put four screws into the upside down spinner through a hubcap that would align itself with the four screw holes in any and all configurations.
Get real!

[Rob M.]

Re: Spinner Orientation

Hey Loren,

Tell me how you really feel. Considering I wasn't even born when my car was built, I really have no idea. All I can go by is the "wisdom" of the members who have come before me.

Just trying to get it right.

[Larry T.]

Re: Spinner Orientation

Hey Loren,

Tell me how you really feel. Considering I wasn't even born when my car was built, I really have no idea. All I can go by is the "wisdom" of the members who have come before me.

Just trying to get it right.

I set all of mine up like that. But it is ridiculous. I have seen what I believe to be original GM promo materials that do not have the spinners situated in any particular fashion.

[Michael H.]

Re: Spinner Orientation

There's no such thing as a "correct clock position" for the ornament (spinner) The installation was random.

[Duke W.]

Re: Spinner Orientation

Hey Loren,

Considering I wasn't even born when my car was built, I really have no idea.

THAT'S NO EXCUSE!!! Fifty point deduct!

As others have stated, I SERIOUSLY doubt that there was any specified orientation of the spinner to the valve stem hole.

Duke

[Wayne M.]

Re: Spinner Orientation

Here's a link from a year ago on the same subject, but started out with a question on 1964's.

Good for a chuckle .

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...em%27&uid=8754

[Michael H.]

Re: Spinner Orientation

Here's a link from a year ago on the same subject, but started out with a question on 1964's.

Good for a chuckle .

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...em%27&uid=8754

Thanks Wayne. I remember that string of posts. I thought that pretty much cleared up the confusion but I guess not. I don't remember if Carlten included this info in the 5th edition of the 63-64 JG.

[Duke W.]

Re: Spinner Orientation

The last post in the referenced thread is from John Hinckley, who was a production engineer at the St. Louis plant, and I quote it as follows:

"All '63-'66 wheel covers were subassembled at St. Louis from separate parts (cover, spinner, retainer/reinforcement, and screws); if there was an Engineering requirement for the spinners to be indexed in a specific manner relative to the valve stem hole in the cover, it would have been shown as a note on the Assembly Manual sheet in UPC 10, or the design would have had an asymmetrical screw hole pattern so the spinner could only be installed one way. There was no such note, and the screw hole pattern allowed the spinner to be assembled in three or four random orientations relative to the valve stem hole in the cover.

Anyone who thinks the spinners were only oriented one way relative to the valve stem hole simply doesn't understand the design and assembly process; positive spinner orientation is an "urban legend"."


I always recommend that owners bring their AIM to the judging field because it is the documentation that refutes silly things such as spinner indexing to the wheel cover valve stem hole.

So Rob, check your AIM and bring it with you the next time you have your car judged.

Duke

[Rob M.]

Re: Spinner Orientation

Duke,

Thanks for the responses. It makes absolute sense that it should be random.

I will take the AIM (I usually do) along with the TM and JG to argue my points (pun intended). Although, the last time I used the TM and JG to do so, the team lead told me that the judging guide is just a "guide" and the judge knows better. I'm learning that some times they do, and some times they don't. I just have to figure out which one it is

[Peter B.]

Re: Spinner Orientation

I don't understand how someone could go thru what I assume is a practical, AIM oriented, training program for judges and then issue a ruling for indexed spinners when no such requirement exists. There have been a lot of discussions here and off line about the over-restoration of our cars, this is a good example of pushing the membership off the mark we should be striving for...at least I thought that was the goal...restore to original factory standards. If there are decisions like this slowly creeping into the judging process then it will take a top down reaffirmation to all judges of what our goals as an organization should be. In restoring my 67 Coupe I was drawn to NCRS for the guidance from an organization comprised of knowledable people that were there for the engineering and assembly of these remarkable cars. If this type of judging, based on opinion and not fact, is trending into the mix and isn't fixed by those that are in a position to do so, then the organization will have failed to meet it's initial goal...restore to original condition. JMHO.

[Terry M.]

Re: Spinner Orientation

I don't understand how someone could go thru what I assume is a practical, AIM oriented, training program for judges

There is that word assUme, again. Let me know when you find such a program.

For the most part NCRS judges are trained by other NCRS judges.