Impossible Hubcap!

[David B.]

I mounted my spare tire (6.70x15 bias) on the rear of my '58 but have invented some interesting new profanities trying to get the hubcap on the wheel. It's a factory original cap with no distortions and it fit my other wheel perfectly. However, this cap will not go on this wheel. It's the old bump-in-the-rug problem: pound one side in, the other side pops out. I've used considerable force but stopped when I felt myself shifting into Dave the Destroyer mode.

Have any of you C1 guys had a hubcap that wouldn't pop in? If so, how did you persuade it?

I've tried liquid soap, sanding the rim, having my wife hold the seated half, etc. Nothing works.

I'm counting on you guys to keep my head from exploding! Thanks!

Dave

[Roy S.]

Re: Impossible Hubcap!

Did the hubcap fit your other wheel? If so it may not be the hubcap that is the problem.

[David B.]

Re: Impossible Hubcap!

Yes, Roy, it fit my other wheel perfectly.

Dave

[John F.]

Re: Impossible Hubcap!

1) Does it have the four nubs on the 15" wheel? If so, line up the part of the cap over the valve stem, place your knee against it and tap with a rubber mallet over the four nubs. Goes on perfect for me each time. Finish up by tapping around the whole circumference to make sure all surfaces are seated. Ta dah!!!

[Paul D.]

Re: Impossible Hubcap!

David, Is this the new spare with the "too white" sidewall you spoke of in an earlier thread? If so, I would give that wheel a closer look. The tire may not be the only thing "new" in your spare wheel well. Seems I read of wheelcover fit issues with some reproduction wheels. Just a thought. Chip.

[David B.]

Re: Impossible Hubcap!

Yes, Chip, this is the "too-white" sidewall wheel (thanks for noticing that :-)). Also, I'm wondering about this term "nub." This wheel is smooth all the way around the circumference where the lip of the cap meets the wheel. Also, my hubcap doesn't have "tabs." It's just a flared edge all the way around.

Do any of you have a picture of a '58-'60 wheel and cap edge? I believe that those years are all the same. Thanks for the responses, guys.

Dave

[David B.]

Re: Impossible Hubcap!

Mystery solved, guys. My spare has the wrong wheel for my hubcaps. It doesn't have the four outer nubs, only the three inner nubs for the dog dish caps. Bad luck for me. Time for new tires, anyway.

Thanks for your responses, gentlemen. I appreciate your wisdom.

Dave

[John H.]

Re: Impossible Hubcap!

Mystery solved, guys. My spare has the wrong wheel for my hubcaps. It doesn't have the four outer nubs, only the three inner nubs for the dog dish caps. Bad luck for me. Time for new tires, anyway.

Thanks for your responses, gentlemen. I appreciate your wisdom.

Dave

Dave -

You might check that wheel more closely. The RPO 276 5-1/2" wheels didn't have the four "nubs" for full wheel covers and had the three inner "nubs" for small hubcaps instead; those wheels are VERY valuable.

[David B.]

Re: Impossible Hubcap!

John, that's an interesting observation. How could I verify that it might be an RPO 276 wheel? Also, how much is "VERY valuable" worth these days? Thank you, John.

Dave

[Russ S.]

Re: Impossible Hubcap!

John, that's an interesting observation. How could I verify that it might be an RPO 276 wheel? Also, how much is "VERY valuable" worth these days? Thank you, John.

Dave

The repos are 1000. each so I would say originals are worth considerable more.

[Cecil L.]

Re: Impossible Hubcap!

Could also be a 53/54 wheel with no nubs.

[Tracy C.]

Re: Impossible Hubcap!

I'll bet a dollar to a dogturd you have an 8080 wheel. Those wheels will not accept a full size wheel cover without pounding them on.

tc