I own a 62 with the origonal 5 1/2 wheels on it. I have heard that older steel wheels may have fatigued and not be safe for use with radial tires. Is there any validity to this?
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Re: Old steel wheels
Not unless they have some significant pitting from rust. The steel in these wheels isn't heat treated much (if any) so side bending loads from hard cornering will not be a problem. It would bend before it breaks. If it bends, you will know about with vibration long before it becomes dangerous.
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Neil, If These Original 5 1/2" Wheels Are A Real..
...concern to you for safety reasons, I'd be glad to take them off your hands (yes, and I'll pay shipping) and send you whatever brand new set of wheels your heart desires.Comment
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Re: Neil, If These Original 5 1/2" Wheels Are A Re
Dennis-What a great guy you are! You're really into those 8080 wheels, aren't you?Comment
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Re: Old steel wheels
Years ago, probably not long after I installed Michelin X radials on my '63 in 1964 I heard stories that "radial tires overstress OE steel wheels" or something to that effect.
I thought it was and old wives' tale then and still do.
The same basic wheel design was used on cars much heavier than Corvette and when was the last time you heard of a OE steel wheel catastophically failing?
You can bang steel wheels into curbs and road hazards and get them straightened. You can't do that with most aluminum wheels.
Mild steel is a wonderfully forgiving and durable material. Its biggest enemy is corrosion, which is why there is a 25-man paint crew constantly working on the Golden Gate Bridge. They basically start at one end, go to the other over the course of several years, and then start over again - all to protect it from corrosion. Given this mainteance, its life is indefinite.
DukeComment
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Re: Neil, If These Original 5 1/2" Wheels Are A Re
Thanks for the kind offer, but as long as the whole car is origonal, I think I will stay with the origonal wheels too. Back in 67 I put the full disk hub caps on it and lost the small caps. It would be nice to get a set if you know of any. Thanks for the help.
NeilComment
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Re: Neil, If These Original 5 1/2" Wheels Are A Re
Reverend Mike, Dennis is just being his usual generous self. And I am sure he has no real plans for the wheels other that hoarding them.Dick WhittingtonComment
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Re: Neil, If These Original 5 1/2" Wheels Are A Re
Neil,
If you don't have a problem retaining the full disk hubcaps, you probably have the 5 inch wheel rather than the 5 1/2 inch version.
The 5 1/2 wheels have no mechanism to retain a full size hubcap and they will throw them off while cornering.
Factors concerning fatigue tolerance apply to either.
tcComment
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Re: Neil, If These Original 5 1/2" Wheels Are A Re
I have had to retrieve the hub caps from the ditch a few times over the years. Believe me these are the 5 1/2" wheels as the do not have the retaining ears and they are listed on the origonal window sticker that I have, Option "276B wheels 15 X 550". I'm still looking for the small caps.
NeilComment
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Re: Neil, If These Original 5 1/2" Wheels Are A Re
Dennis, Dick and Mike.....you guys know how the holes get elongated with age and therefore become unsafe. These old steel wheels need to be replaced with a nice new set of American Torque Thrust D's.
Neil, do you have those funny brakes that squeak all the time and get wet in the rain and don't stop the car very well?Over 80 Corvettes of fun ! Love Rochester Fuel Injection 57-65 cars. Love CORVETTE RACE CARS
Co-Founder REGISTRY OF CORVETTE RACE CARS.COMComment
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Re: Neil, If These Original 5 1/2" Wheels Are A Re
Yes, the trials and tribulations of owning a C1.Comment
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Re: Neil, If These Original 5 1/2" Wheels Are A Re
"I'm still looking for the small caps"
Watch eBay. They show up from time to time. Here is a set that recently sold: http://tinyurl.com/ppxf8
The auction lists them as 58-61, but they are the later style 60-62 type.
-DaveComment
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