1965 hubcap install
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Pace (Near Pensacola) FL
1965 hubcap install
It can't be that hard can it?
I've been trying to get a 1965 hubcaps put onto my rims. Is there a trick to doing this?
I don't want to bang on them to hard for fear of denting them. They are New reproductions.
What the rim had on it was the 1967 style center cap and beauty ring.
The rim is 16.25 inches in diameter. Is this the right size for the 1965 hubcaps? I hope so.
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 556
From: Sun Prairie WI
Steve
Your rim appears to be a '67 Ralley wheel. It has score marks, however, so there must have been some kind of a full wheel cover on it at one time.
On my '66 (with OEM wheels and hubcaps), I apply a smear of Lubriplate (white lithium) grease on the hubcap grips & on the locations around the wheel where these grips land. It seems to help get started using the heal of your hand. Finish off with a rubber mallet. Expect the cap to spring out of position if you try to take too big of a bite with each blow -- just make many laps around the cap going a little at a time.
Suggest you clean and dress the rims of that nasty rust & paint buildup to decrease the friction a bit while installing those nice caps.
Your rim appears to be a '67 Ralley wheel. It has score marks, however, so there must have been some kind of a full wheel cover on it at one time.
On my '66 (with OEM wheels and hubcaps), I apply a smear of Lubriplate (white lithium) grease on the hubcap grips & on the locations around the wheel where these grips land. It seems to help get started using the heal of your hand. Finish off with a rubber mallet. Expect the cap to spring out of position if you try to take too big of a bite with each blow -- just make many laps around the cap going a little at a time.
Suggest you clean and dress the rims of that nasty rust & paint buildup to decrease the friction a bit while installing those nice caps.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 173
From: Clayton NC
I would never use any type of hammmer, mallet, dead blow on a hubcap.
The palm of you hand is plenty hard, using the others you will most likely dent the hubcap along the way.
If you start the side closest to the ground then place your knee against the bottom of the hubcap. The next step is to use the palm of your hand to seat the 3 or 9 o'clock position working your way around the hubcap. Should work nicely..
Dave
The palm of you hand is plenty hard, using the others you will most likely dent the hubcap along the way.
If you start the side closest to the ground then place your knee against the bottom of the hubcap. The next step is to use the palm of your hand to seat the 3 or 9 o'clock position working your way around the hubcap. Should work nicely..
Dave
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 479
Likes: 95
From: Boca Raton FL
I agree with Dave, use the palm of your hand and follow his advise.
Consider painting those wheels black for a better look.
It can't be that hard can it?
I've been trying to get a 1965 hubcaps put onto my rims. Is there a trick to doing this?
I don't want to bang on them to hard for fear of denting them. They are New reproductions.
What the rim had on it was the 1967 style center cap and beauty ring.
The rim is 16.25 inches in diameter. Is this the right size for the 1965 hubcaps? I hope so.
Steve
Consider painting those wheels black for a better look.
It can't be that hard can it?
I've been trying to get a 1965 hubcaps put onto my rims. Is there a trick to doing this?
I don't want to bang on them to hard for fear of denting them. They are New reproductions.
What the rim had on it was the 1967 style center cap and beauty ring.
The rim is 16.25 inches in diameter. Is this the right size for the 1965 hubcaps? I hope so.
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 18
From: cooper city florida
Real PITA,ain't it Steve. I bought the same hubcaps,and I think my palm is still black and blue from trying to bang them on. I took a pair of needle nose pliers and CAREFULLY bent each tab in a little. You will notice when you bend one in, that it springs right back,and you will think you haven't accomplished anything. But by the time you do all of them,you should of gained just enough to get them on. If it still won't go on,then you need to bend them a little farther the second time around. Its kind of a feel thing. I was actually kind of impressed with the hubcaps. Quality is not bad for repros.
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Pace (Near Pensacola) FL
I'm about to get back into this project again.
Plan is to blast off the silver paint and redo black. But befor spending that money, has anyone actually gotten the 65 hubcap onto the 67 ralley wheel? I don't want to risk damaging the caps trying to put them on if there is no way they will fit due to that center raised lip just outboard of the lugnut holes.
Steve
Plan is to blast off the silver paint and redo black. But befor spending that money, has anyone actually gotten the 65 hubcap onto the 67 ralley wheel? I don't want to risk damaging the caps trying to put them on if there is no way they will fit due to that center raised lip just outboard of the lugnut holes.
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,311
Likes: 223
From: Temecula CA
Steve
I just tried to install a stock '65 cap onto a '67 DC rally wheel under ideal conditions --lying horizontal on the bench.
Could not get it to go on. Round and round we went!
However, it looks like if the tangs were compressed a bit then it should go on.
BTW - kudos to CSofM for a great job on their repro caps (even if some judges sniff at them)!
Could not get it to go on. Round and round we went!
However, it looks like if the tangs were compressed a bit then it should go on.
BTW - kudos to CSofM for a great job on their repro caps (even if some judges sniff at them)!
Last edited by Mike Geary; Aug 23, 2009 at 02:57 PM.
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 567
Likes: 115
From: Long Island NY/ Cape Coral FL
Hi , I learned this trick many years ago from an old timer, (now I'm the old timer) When installing the full wheelcover place the lower part of the cover to the bottom of the rim over the valve stem and with a downward motion (not side motion) on the edge work the cap on striking it DOWNWARD and around . It will go I just put on an original cap on my spare 2 weeks ago( the spare is out of the tub) and ran across the same prob until I remembered the trick. Hope this helps , Jim
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
Likes: 4,592
From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
65 and 66 caps are always hard to put on, on the other hand they're hard to steal and rarely fall off during hard driving. I start with the stem at the bottom, and use a rubber mallet work up sides using your knee against the bottom. Hit edge of cap on a slight angle, like your aiming for the axle. It'll go on, and I agree with a little white lithium grease on the tangs. Take em off with a big flat and thin screwdriver, using a small twist, move,twist etc., and you shouldn't damage them.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
Likes: 4,592
From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Yes, I have 67 rally wheels and 66 caps which are almost identacle on my 62, and they are a tight fit, only difference would be mine are original 66's....
http://tinypic.com/usermedia.php?uo=...2FQIh4l5k2TGxc
http://tinypic.com/usermedia.php?uo=...2FQIh4l5k2TGxc
Last edited by Kerrmudgeon; Aug 24, 2009 at 12:47 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,311
Likes: 223
From: Temecula CA
This tool works great
As somebody already mentioned, you hit the outside corner, angling down at about 45*. Do not hit the face of that outer band, it will dent.
To keep from marring the paint when removing a cap, just polish the back side of the blade (the surface contacting the paint) and tape up about 4" on the shank. This protects the wheel outer lip from chipping when you lever the cap off. You just place the blade in the seam, drive it in with your fist, and pry (holding onto the spinner!).
'65's are the only midyears that I've owned (3) and this tool has definitely earned its place as a "keeper".
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Pace FL
