Question for the trim ring experts
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 86
From: Putnam county NY
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Question for the trim ring experts
Does this look like the correct ring for a 1972?
thanks in advance
thanks in advance
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,236
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi da,
I'm looking at the band the clips are mounted in…. is it flat or does it have a slight raised lip at it's inner circumference?
Also, I believe typically the rings installed in the cars in St.Louis had a smooth 'crimp' holding the ring in place.
The rippled crimp is sometimes a sign of a ring that had the clips at the wrong orientation to the valve stem hole (service replacements were this way) and had the crimp opened and the band 'spun'.
Regards,
Alan
Smooth crimp.
I'm looking at the band the clips are mounted in…. is it flat or does it have a slight raised lip at it's inner circumference?
Also, I believe typically the rings installed in the cars in St.Louis had a smooth 'crimp' holding the ring in place.
The rippled crimp is sometimes a sign of a ring that had the clips at the wrong orientation to the valve stem hole (service replacements were this way) and had the crimp opened and the band 'spun'.
Regards,
Alan
Smooth crimp.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 86
From: Putnam county NY
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Thanks guys. It has four rings, the clip is sandwiched between the tack welds not in a little hump like the raised ones.
I see what alan means about the ridges interesting point did they have early rings with offset clips?
I see what alan means about the ridges interesting point did they have early rings with offset clips?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,236
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi da,
Yes, the rings available through the dealers' parts departments had the rings turned 45 degrees from the valve stem hole. (These are some of the rings that people are un-crimping, turning the band, and re-crimping.
As far as I know a ring with the precise configuration of the rings that left St.Louis in cars has never been available separately from GM.
The things to look for when searching for a production line ring are:
The profile and finish on the inner band.
The type of clip.
The manner in which the clip is attached to the band.
The position of the clips.
The configuration of the crimp.
Flash chrome plating on the ring's outer surface.
Because the production rings weren't available elsewhere the originals in excellent condition have become very valuable.
Regards,
Alan
Yes, the rings available through the dealers' parts departments had the rings turned 45 degrees from the valve stem hole. (These are some of the rings that people are un-crimping, turning the band, and re-crimping.
As far as I know a ring with the precise configuration of the rings that left St.Louis in cars has never been available separately from GM.
The things to look for when searching for a production line ring are:
The profile and finish on the inner band.
The type of clip.
The manner in which the clip is attached to the band.
The position of the clips.
The configuration of the crimp.
Flash chrome plating on the ring's outer surface.
Because the production rings weren't available elsewhere the originals in excellent condition have become very valuable.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Sep 6, 2016 at 04:31 PM.
