Has anyone done any repairs to the older narrow 16 inch wheels. I've got a F1 and I'd like to continue using the narrow wheels if I can, but I've got a problem in that some of the wheels are pretty badly rusted at the "stem hole" opening etc. And I know there are rubber or etc liners and little round inserts etc, that I haven't used but I see available for sale etc, but mine might be a little too far gone for that. I took a few wheels to a tire shop and they didn't want to mount the wheels because of these defects in some cases. What I'm wondering has anyone ground down this area inside and out and added some metal through either brazing or by using a mig welder and smoothing and refinishing etc as necessary to restore this area and continue to use the wheel if all the rest looks ok. And then add the protective wheel strips etc on top of the now repaired metal areas.

Tom

 

To my mind you'd be better replacing the outer rims. Damage that can be seen suggests there is probably more that can't be seen. Companies like Stockton Wheel or your local Les Schwab dealer (as the agent for American Wheel Specialist) could fix them right. Either company can pull your centers and remount them in tubeless outer rims that, unlike your stock rims, would be rated for radial tires. And you'd have a warranty.

 

Thanks. That's a good suggestion. I've been to Stockton wheels some years ago on another project and they did a nice job for me. I'm not far from them. I'll give that some thought.

Tom

 

It has been a number of years since I did this but it is pretty simple fix as I remember. It doesn't really matter where the stem hole opening is placed on the wheel so you can weld the old hole shut and just drill a new one in a better part of the wheel. The biggest problem I had was that the old welded stem hole had a slow leak in it (tubeless). A tube would remedy that...

 

The 16" Chevy 6" & 8" wide outers work really well on the Ford Ctr's