Re: [Chrysler300] Re 14 inch wheels for 1960 chrysler

I find it “Deja Vu All Over Again” regarding tires & wheels for my 300-F.

A former Chrysler mechanic (who worked on these “Letter Cars at a dealership in the day” who was doing some work on my car. One task was a front disc conversion.

The spindle for the front disc brakes had a smaller diameter than the center hole of the original 300-F wheels. He machined a spacer and wedged it on the spindle so that the wheel would have center support (Hub Centric).

He said that these old rims “FLEX” and can crack from long term use.

AddIng radial tires to these original rims adds substantial lateral pressures not present with bias ply tires.

Members in this recent thread have shared their experiences with these original wheels cracking. Larry Jett from the left coast has some similar stories that he has shared in the past.

I took the initiative and coordinated members, in need for 235/75R14 radial replacement tires for our “beasts”, and Coker Tire Co.

We currently have several options for tires.

I contacted Frank Mauro, now deceased, at Stockton Wheel. He said that he could make a lug centric stiffer wide wheel for our cars. They need lug nuts with the next size heads, 3/4” I think, that are available to secure the wheels.

Stockton can supply these in RH & LH threads.

Many members contributed to “Bump” research. The bottom line was that 2 small bumps were needed on either side of the valve stem area to prevent full hubcaps from rotating and shearing the rubber stem. In 1960 only, standard Chrysler hubcaps (not 300-F hubcaps) required 4 large bumps.

If memory serves me right, Dan Reitz welded 14” centers into 15” wheels to accept 15” tires and 14” original clawed hubcaps. This required 4 14” wheels and 4 15” wheels, custom jigs, and welding expertise to complete the project. Please correct me if I am mistaken on the original members name. Later Frank Mauro had his wheelwrights manufacture these wheels for us.

Since Frank’s passing, Stockton closed for a period of time and they are back in business and have proper order numbers that are posted in the Tech Section of our web site.

Sooo, after all this research, time & effort to upgrade the safety of the wheels & tires for our cars, I am not sure reinventing the wheel is such a bad idea.

Tony Rinaldi

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

On Thursday, July 23, 2020, 5:06 PM, Ryan Hill ryan_hillc300@xxxxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300] <Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Michael, age has little to do with condition.

Many of the old cars I’ve worked on have half the mileage of my current daily drivers. Corrosion is a factor but fatigue from rough roads, hard driving, and total mileage is also a big concern.

I would be comfortable using a 60 year old wheel IF I could verify it had low mileage and hadn’t been subjected to conditions that would lead to deterioration. If I could fully inspect it for signs of deterioration (cracks, corrosion, fatigue) and am satisfied with the integrity of the wheel, I’ll use it with just as much confidence as I would have in a brand new wheel. (Perhaps more confidence in some cases....)

My two cents...

Ryan Hill

On Jul 23, 2020, at 12:29 PM, 'micke.sundbom' micke.sundbom@xxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300] <Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Rims are very much a safety aspect. I find no reason to use 60 year old rims. If you find new, specially ordered do not hesitate to use these.

For those of you who chase old 6.5in 14 wheels dont forget to look at rusty wagon wheels.

Happy hunting!

/Michael

Skickat från min Samsung Galaxy-smartphone.

-------- Originalmeddelande --------

Från: "Jamie Hyde jamie.hyde@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300]" <Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Datum: 2020-07-23 16:24 (GMT+01:00)

Till: "VANNICE, M ALBERT" <mav4@xxxxxxx>, 'Fern Rivard ' <crc@xxxxxxxxxxxx>, 'Chrysler300' <Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, nick@xxxxxxxx

Kopia: 'Michael James' <chrysler300f@xxxxxxxxx>

Ämne: RE: [Chrysler300] Re 14 inch wheels for 1960 chrysler

Murray Park has the 14 x 6 ½” wheels in stock as I just spoke to him about them.

From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of 'VANNICE, M ALBERT' mav4@xxxxxxx [Chrysler300]
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2020 8:11 AM
To: 'Fern Rivard ' <crc@xxxxxxxxxxxx>; 'Chrysler300' <Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; nick@xxxxxxxx
Cc: 'Michael James' <chrysler300f@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [Chrysler300] Re 14 inch wheels for 1960 chrysler

I have one Chrysler wheel, but it is 14' x 6" and not 14" x 6 1/2".

Al

From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of nick@xxxxxxxx [Chrysler300] <Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2020 11:55 PM
To: 'Fern Rivard ' <crc@xxxxxxxxxxxx>; 'Chrysler300' <Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: 'Michael James' <chrysler300f@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: [Chrysler300] Re 14 inch wheels for 1960 chrysler

Thanks Fern, that was Michael James.

From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of 'Fern Rivard ' crc@xxxxxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300]
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2020 8:10 PM
To: Chrysler300 <Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Chrysler300] Re 14 inch wheels for 1960 chrysler

A few days ago someone posted a want listing for 14 inch steel wheels for 1960 chrysler.

My friend Scott Dejka called me this evening and said that he had either 2 or 3 or those steel wheels. For some unknown reason, he is not able to post on this site.

His email info is: inyourjs@xxxxxxxxxxx

His phone number is 509885-5587

Cheers from Fern in SE BC where it's very warm today

Posted by: Tony Rinaldi <awrdoc@xxxxxxxxx>