The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Original Wheel replacement

I have 2 wheels that continue to leak around the valve stem. Had them repaired, but they still leak due to the pitted metal around the valve stem holes. Does anyone have a source for OE wheels? I don't want to replace the other 3.

Thanks for any info - 65 C-10 Fleetside
MDL

Ebay, swap meets or wrecking yards. The original wheels were non-safety bead style with a taper to the rear side of the drop center portion of the rim. All the aftermarket rims use disc brake type rims which have safety beads and more of a cylinder shape to the back of the rim, to clear disc brake calipers. The safety bead is an indentation that shows in the face (and rear ledge) of the rim that holds the tire bead on the rim in the event of a flat. If you want to keep it original, new aftermarket wheels won't look the same.

I know you might think I am nuts.. But can't you put a tube in it?

It is a shame that you don't live closer. I know where there are about 15 rim at where a feller might give you one.

If your talking about stock steel wheels you could either take it to a welding shop that does tig welding and have the pits filled then just clean it up and repaint OR have the entire hole welded up, grind and finish the weld (inside and out) and drill a new hole further along on the rim (then repaint). If I were to go with option #2, I would be sure to chose a spot for the new hole that is in the same relation to a lug hole as original so it woul look OEM.

The wheels are rusted bad. That's why I wanted to replace them. I've got a source to sand blast the rims and then see if they are salvagable. Any advice on repainting? The tire machine could mess up a new paint job.

It's tedious but if you can't find wheels, don't want to tube them then you have the options left of; one of the metal 2 part epoxy puttys OR do fill welding, file down the rough stuff and then take it to a machine shop that dose semi truck drums and see if they can turn them or do it old school by grinding and filing then balancing untill it gets close enough to work with wheel weights.

Personally I would get on craigslist and start looking in your general area not your local area for replacements by finding guys with trucks or parts for sale between 1950? and 1962 and ask them if they have any or in the auto parts catagory put in a WTB listing.

Also know there are 15's, 16's, 3 tab, 5 tab, solid rim and split rim, if your going to use split rims be very careful making sure they are not worn out and make positivly sure the tire guy knows to put a chain or strap around it when filling the tire, split rims have a reputation to pop off and injure, maime and kill people

On painting them talk to the paint shop about what they use on semi wheels and bumpers which I think? is extra drying agent in enamel so it dries harder or you can possibly powder coat them, it's pricy and you can't repaint them because any other color will chip off and the powder coat will show through but it will last a long long time and look nice.