MichaelH Posted March 20, 2021 Report Share Posted March 20, 2021 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted March 20, 2021 Report Share Posted March 20, 2021 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Salisbury Posted March 20, 2021 Report Share Posted March 20, 2021 How could anyone ruin the look of a nice wheel like that with all those badly suck on weights?, I'll bet the tyre fitter didn't bother to locate and position the balance weight alignment dots located on the tyre. Cheers Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR4Tony VC Posted March 20, 2021 Report Share Posted March 20, 2021 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MichaelH Posted March 20, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2021 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MichaelH Posted March 20, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2021 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Salisbury Posted March 20, 2021 Report Share Posted March 20, 2021 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MichaelH Posted March 20, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2021 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted March 21, 2021 Report Share Posted March 21, 2021 Put as many of the required weights as possible on the inside rim where they won't be seen. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ade-TR4 Posted April 1, 2021 Report Share Posted April 1, 2021 Hi Michael If you can get it scanned and an stl file, I can try and print it for you. Cheers Adey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MichaelH Posted April 1, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2021 Hi Ade You have a PM Michael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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