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Installing a Bullet center cap in a 57 Cadillac Hubcap

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by dmac620, Dec 31, 2012.

  1. dmac620
    Joined: Sep 16, 2007
    Posts: 358

    dmac620
    Member

    I am looking to put some bullet center caps onto the '57 Cadillac hubcaps that are on my 50 Chevy. I have read that the bullets have a threaded 1/4" hole that allows you to bolt them to a flat center cap. As you can see in the picture, the hubs on the front of my Chevy extend past where a flat center cap would mount. I can't just put a stock flat center cap on it and then bolt the bullet to it. Any suggestions on how I could go about mounting the bullet to the cap?
     

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  2. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,980

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    It looks like your hub might be sticking out too far to do it without making a special bracket but here is what I did with the 57 Buick caps for my 48. I may change to a different bullet as I'm not really liking the bullets I have very well.
    [​IMG]
    Cap with bullet

    Backside
    [​IMG]

    Closeup of disk I made out of scrap lexan to hold the bullet.
    [​IMG]
    That's quarter inch Lexan that was left over from something else but some aluminum sheet metal thick enough to not flex would work too.

    On that one you may have to bend some pieces that fit inside the openings in the cap and come out enough to clear the dust covers to hold the bullets.
     
  3. Mark T
    Joined: Feb 19, 2007
    Posts: 2,037

    Mark T
    Member

    Your going to need a backing plate that looks like an Abraham Lincoln Hat with a hole in the middle for the bolt, the top of the hat will slide into the hole in the hubcap from the back side and the bolt will be recessed inside the hat. I hope that makes sense to you.
     
  4. dmac620
    Joined: Sep 16, 2007
    Posts: 358

    dmac620
    Member

    That actually makes complete sense. Thanks.
     

  5. hopped up
    Joined: Oct 5, 2009
    Posts: 401

    hopped up
    Member
    from So Cal

    You could use a wider rim like a 15x6. I think them stock 50 chevy rims are 15x5. Any one here will correct me I'm sure. Another option is to remove the dust cap...
     
  6. teddyp
    Joined: May 28, 2006
    Posts: 3,197

    teddyp
    Member

    i glued the bullets on these,s 57 caddy,s back in the 90,s for a in door car show used silicone put a bead around it been on since then i even had a tire blow and it stayed on
     

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  7. Glue is your friend. Look for a 2 component glue like a jb weld and put em on with that.
     
  8. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,980

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I was going to suggest that but saw that he already had his wide whites mounted A simple bracket like Mark T suggested is easy enough to make in about ten minutes and a guy can probably find one he can trim down to fit at Home Depot or Lowes if he is a bit lazy. It's not really rocket science. Measure, bend, drill and install no biggie.

    When I talked to Gene Winfield about bullets for the caps a few years ago he just said to drill a hole in the middle of the plastic Caddy centers if they clear the hub.
     
  9. Hoptup Jalop
    Joined: Sep 29, 2004
    Posts: 1,118

    Hoptup Jalop
    Member

    I made a hat out of abs plastic pipe and sheet....pic here or message me for a call

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]



    Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
     
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2013
  10. mrconcdid
    Joined: Aug 31, 2010
    Posts: 1,156

    mrconcdid
    Member
    from Florida


    I read it twice, but that my friend, is the best analogy of a bracket I have ever read!!!! "Abraham Lincoln Hat Bracket" CLASSIC.

    Godspeed
    MrC.
     
    luckytramp likes this.
  11. dmac620
    Joined: Sep 16, 2007
    Posts: 358

    dmac620
    Member

    I ended up bending a piece of flat steel that I had laying around the garage. I put in enough bend to clear the protruding dust cap. I put a dab of JB Weld under the bent steel, centered the bullet, and then tightened up the bolt. Worked out well.
     

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