The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Chevy 16" wheel

I was looking for a hub cap for a fellow Stovebolter when I found these. I still have not found all my 650x16 wheels for my 54-3100 so I'm going to use these until I get five. Fits fine on 54 but what is it off of? It is a modern wheel I put 225-75x16 tires on. The rim is very heavy duty Chevrolet and fits good on drum with original lug nuts going all the way down on studs. Doc

I'll say '88 - early '90s K1500

Thank you BC59, now I know which hubcaps to look for, was hoping to find dog dish hubcaps. Ed

My dog dish hub caps have tabs to hold the hubcaps on. I can take a picture if you wish.

Chris

I have original 6.5 x 16" rims for my 53 3100... and now looking for the best tire to go on these rims after I restore them... best modern size? Can I run a tubeless tire on the original rims?

Thank you all!

Tim

Tim,

I ask that since you are now asking information that belongs in the driveline forum I will be moving your post.

Chris

Rims with riveted center sections that were designed for use with tube type tires can develop seep leaks at the rivet holes. I'd suggest mounting and inflating the tubeless tires, and using a spritz bottle and some soapy water to check the rivets for leaks before installing the wheels on the truck. I've seen small air leaks sealed up by bead blasting the inside of the wheels and giving them a heavy coat of epoxy-based paint.
Jerry

Jerry, I took your advice this a.m. I checked my rims on the 54-3100. So far it is holding air tubeless. I don't know why tube tire's in Central Florida rust out the rims.Ed

Moisture

Ok all, I broke down my original rims to blast and paint only to find they are pretty around the valve stem hole (see attached).

Is there a way to safely patch the rust spot and reinforce the valve stem hole? Just sad as all four are this way.

Thanks for any advice.

Tim

Hello, Tim (from another Tim)

"they are pretty around the valve stem hole"
How pretty?
Excuse my humor.

I had some erosion/rust/decay around the valve stem areas of blasted and primed/painted original 1954 16" 1/2 ton wheels.

My truck-tire dealer used a plastic protector in/around each hole, but he would not guarantee they would work with the inner tubes and radial truck tires.

That was a few decades ago (and about 12,000 miles ago) - no problems . . . yet.

Thanks Tim... with a name like that you can't be wrong...

So you run tubes in your radials? What size/brand do you run?

As long as the only thing that has been thinned by rust you can drill the same size stock hole in a scrap of steel the same thickness as rim (01.125), then weld on the outside. Be sure to use a soft rod or mig wire will do. The real work comes when you have to smooth it out. Wow did I put way too much weld on the patch. That's about it. I have to find three for my 54-3100. If you come across any pleeese let me know. Doc