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| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 22 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 22 | | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | They do appear to be the two piece split in the middle rims, the ones to avoid. There is lots of good info in this Tech Tip: http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/wheels/Grigg | | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 115 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 115 | You're seeing it right. The raised band around the middle of the wheel is the joint where the halves of the "widow maker" connect - and fly apart. The technical term for these rims is Firestone RH-5°. The only solution I know of is to go to somewhere like American Wheel Specialist in Pasco, WA, and have them pull your centers to mount in new "lock ring" outer rims. You could also have new Accuride 22.5" tubeless wheels made at either Wheels Now in WI or Century Wheel in CA. The only down side there, besides cost, is the fact that the wheels wouldn't look exactly like your old 20s. Besides the 15° tubeless design, they'd only have two hand holes to my understanding. Hopefully somebody will come along and know a source for period correct "lock ring" rims. Stu | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,997 Big Bolt Forum Co-moderator | | Big Bolt Forum Co-moderator Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,997 | Grig,
As long as I have the outer ring type of two piece, it's good? That would be good to hear. And would that 2 1/2 ton spartman is talking about, would that be a GMC and why he has the centre split?
A day without laughter is a day wasted- Charlie Chaplin
When wrestling a grizzly bear, you have to keep at it until the bear gets tired, not when you get tired. 1948 Chevy 2-Ton | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,144 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,144 | I've seen them on both chevys and gmc. I don't know how late they were used but 2 67 c50's I checked recently both had the widowmakers with 750X20 tires | | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 115 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 115 | I've got a K-H catalog that shows them through 1976 and a Budd catalog that lists them through 1972. After that they're gone.
The problem, though, is that wheels get damaged and replaced along the way. So old wheels can appear on newer trucks as long as the bolt pattern works. Stu | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Grigg,
As long as I have the outer ring type of two piece, it's good? That would be good to hear.
And would that 2 1/2 ton spartman is talking about, would that be a GMC and why he has the centre split? Right, the lock ring or three piece wheels are OK if in good shape and given proper care. See the Tech Tip linked above. Chevy only went up to 2 ton in the AD years, so a 2.5 ton is a GMC, or someone is confused. Grigg | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,964 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,964 | The simplest way to find the 2 or 3 piece wheels is to look at old GMC's and Chevs both and look for the 10 hole type. If they are on front, only 5 of the holes will be used. Once you spot a 10 hole wheel, If it is on front, look for the 1 or 2 piece lock ring. If it has no lock ring, it's one of the widow makers. If you find one mounted on the drive axle, a 2 or 3 piece rim will have a flat surface where the centers are connected to the rim. If it has what we call a semi drop center, its a widow maker. We used trucks with this type of wheel to deliver gasoline and I can still tell the difference from 50 feet. Many trucks used the wheels you are looking for and there are still some around. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 22 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 22 | Thats what I was afraid of.
This is a 1951 6400 truck, at least thats what the tag decodes as.
So I guess I should start looking for different rims eh?
D@mn! That would have to be my luck. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 | A 6400 series 16000lb.gvw Chevy, is indeed a 2 ton truck. | | |
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