Projects The bucket of ugly! A de-uglifying thread...

I looked at the beauty rings O'Reilly's sells for $12.99 each, today. They are chrome and 2" wide. Speedways are polished stainless steel and $24.99 each. They are 2 9/16" wide.

The O'Reilly's brand looked good, nice chrome, but were tweaked a little and just plain felt flimsy. Maybe they straighten out when installed? I used the Speedway style before and I liked the look, plus they were very well done. Beyond that, the missing 9/16" on O'Reilly's just bugged me.

So, I'm going to wait and order the ones from Speedway next week.

 

Sorry Fred, but O'Reilly's are cheap junk.
Make sure they come from someone reputable like wheel vintiques.
Stainless will be better and stronger.

 

Fred don't buy any until I check my hangers.

Rebel

 

Okaaaaaay. Rebel, keep in mind these are after market wheels. Speedways are a universal fit, so maybe OEM's would work? I'd just hate for you to go through all the trouble and they not work.

 

Surprisingly, Wheel Vintiques doesn't have them in 15".

https://www.wheelvintiques.com/accessories/trim-rings.html

 

Fred
These I have are kinda dinged up. I would't run them on my roadster but I would run them on my '48 Ford.

If you want them and think they might fit I will send them to you.

Gary

 

^^^^ Fred, don't let the those flaws deter you; trim rings are pretty easy to ding out and buff; even if the holder (bare rim) gets a little heavy after a bit.

 

I was kinda referring to something a little heavier, like 3/16" to 1/4" wall DOM like this, that can survive the side loads of pot holes and sewer lids.

Yes; but it's time to let it go; got my coupe going now, need to get my '47 going, then I can start on another roadster. Nothing in the world like running down the road in an open wheel hot rod roadster.

 

Thanks for the offer, Rebel, but I'll pass. The one's I'm getting are smooth with no ridge. I just like that look. These are what I'm going with.

 

Yeah Fred those are nice. They are better for your time frame. Mine would look good on a '50s rod.

Rebel

 

Here you go Fred.
You just have to look in the right spot.
https://www.wheelvintiques.com/accessories/trim-rings/15x6-oem-style-rounded-lip-trim-ring.html

 

"Yea, BABY! I didn't feel a thing! Musta been feeling in tha wrong spot!"

 

Okay...... the safety washers came a day early! But I won't put them on until tonight. Hell, man..... it's 103* in the shop! I'm glad I Googled a pic to see how they install. I would have had them reversed! Now, I see how they function and they make perfect sense.

And now a question. Can I get away with just one on the bottom or should I put one on each side of the rod end? Seems like I'd be okay with just one on the head of the bolt side?

 

I'm thinking the bolt head would probably be enough as the purpose of them is to keep the rod in place in the event of the heim joint failing.
The tie rod wouldn't fall off towards the spacer or steering arm.

 

Thanks, Blue!

 

And.... done.





Just because.

 

Another reality check? Coming soon?

 

Pulled the old rear end cover last night. Used a razor blade to scrap off the old gasket. Tonight I'll hit it with brake cleaner and a wire brush for the final clean up.

 

And I'll bet you were greeted with a most pleasant aroma

 

Hmm...... I liken it to the aroma of 50 farts, from 50 dying men. Yea, something like that.

 

You are so polite Fred, only 50 dying men farting ? I would of said a hell of a lot more then that and thrown at least 50 skunks in bad moods in too.
I like the chrome rear cover as I have the same on the rear end of my Roadster too and it helps just breaking up the black a wee bit.

 

Old photo, Marc........was getting excited it was going again. JW

 

You mean he can't hop in and go for a ride?

Get at it Marc.

 

Yes, Marc, hope thing allow you to ''get at it'' soon. JW

 

Okay, rear end cover and a couple treats this week. Found out O'Reilly's has the same cover Speedway sells for $18 AND it comes with the gasket and bolts. Go figure. Beauty rings will be here next week.

 

I love the stance! All wheel and tire combo. Can't wait to see this one when it's finished. Looks pretty similar to the combo on my roadster, 6.40-15 on 5" wheels and 8.20-15 on 6" wheels on the rear.

 

I think quite a few people don't consider or under estimate the tire & wheel effect on rake. Yes, it's easy to raise or lower with springs, spindles, etc., but the right tire wheel combo can sometimes yield better results. Works great on that coupe.

 

You guys are going to LOVE this! I just got off the phone with a co-worker. We talked about work for a bit and then he asked about my build. He's not a car guy, but I told him what I had done and future plans. I explained things like putting a big engine in a small car to go faster. Afterwards, there was a pause and then he made the coolest comment, I've ever heard about Hot Rods.. "So, what you're saying, is that Hot Rods defy the common laws of physics? Right?"

That made my freakin' day! Had to share it.

 

Went by O'Reilly's and they have to order the rear end cover from the manufacturer. So, it $18 + $7 shipping. Will be here next week. BUT, I'm okay with that because it comes with the gasket and bolts. Everyone else's didn't, so I'll save some coin.

Still in a good mood because the breather for the rear end and stainless steel spindle stops will be here Thursday or Friday.

 

Update on my roadster. Think I mentioned a fan pulley broke and my engine overheated while up in Carson City. Well the radiator was leaking after that. I thought it was leaking out of the bottom left but after investigating I saw it was a seam in the top and just leaking down. It was pretty visible. I didn't want to have to take it all apart. It was pretty close to the grill paint so I didn't want to take a torch to it. I got out my biggest electric soldering iron and drained the water. Cleaned it well with wire brushes and acid and laid on the iron. Took quite a wile but I did get the three inches of seam hot enough for the solder to flow in little by little. Seems to be holding as I have driven it quite some distant since then.