Jump to content

Not quite American Racing


Recommended Posts

Hi All

About thirty years ago I saw these wheels advertised and arranged to purchase them  as I thought they were magnesium American Racing Wheels. Little did I know they sand cast aluminium alloy and solid (=heavy}. I also got two wheel caps in monkey metal.

You can see that the wheels look better with the caps

Any ideas about how to create some more  so I can have a cap on four wheels

Thanks in advance

Always enjoy the forum and looking forward to driving out of the drive with the idea of actually going somewhere as opposed to Sainsburys

Michael

IMG_6343.JPG

IMG_6342.JPG

Link to post
Share on other sites

Someone with a 3D printer is what you need, it would copy them exactly, just need to find someone who would do such a small job without costing a fortune. There is quite a few to choose from here if you want go for a new set https://www.summitracing.com/search/brand/american-racing/part-type/wheel-center-caps

Stuart.

Stuart.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Mike

Those look like EMPI wheels to me (similar to the ARE Silverstones but without the cut out on the inner spoke). EMPI are still around and as far as I know you can still buy caps - look for VW Beetle specialists who stock them.

regards

Tony 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Let me explain the weights:

The wheel casting are so rough that the wheels wont fit onto a standard wheel balance machine and a special tool which hold the wheel on the the stud holes has to be used

The wheels are not "naturally balanced" and take a lot of weights to correct (BTW the tyres are Continental ECO6 v modern and brand new)

The self adhesive aluminium foil covering is me copying what the tyre fitters do to my race magnesium miniltes when fitting Dunlop CR65 race tyres

Hope that reassures Rob that I am doing the best I can .... although I am always open to suggestion

Michael

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you Stuart for you suggestions - can't see any American Racing caps to match but then I am not sure that these crude beasts ever originated at American Racing. I will look into 3 D printing!

Thank you Tony S - I will research the EMPI 

Amazing to have speedy responses about esoteric items

Regards

Michael H

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Michael, as your tyres are new you will likely find both a white and a red dot on the wall of the tyre, check that the white dot is adjacent to the valve and this will give the least worst natural balance of the wheel/tyre combination, then the wheel can be finely balanced with a minimum of required lead, I've always found the clip on discrete weights to be successful, although they can be knocked off so may not be suitable for your application.

Cheers Rob  

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Rob

Went to examine the spare as it hasn't turned in anger: There is a small white circle on the inside of the tyre, They have an marked inside and outside (never notice that before) but it is not close to where the valve is. No red dots anywhere.

The lip of the wheel is quite wide and alloy so I don't think clip on weight would fit.

Thanks for your thoughts

Michael

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Please familiarise yourself with our Terms and Conditions. By using this site, you agree to the following: Terms of Use.