Re-drilling wheels
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Richmond Kentucky
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Re-drilling wheels
I have an opportunity to buy some magnesium wheels, but they are 4.5 bolt circle and I need them drilled for 4.75 bolt pattern. Is there anyone who can do this precisely accurately and safely?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
You'll end up with oblong holes which are not the hot setup for staying tight. I do not believe it possible to weld magnesium as it is flammable, so closing the current holes before redrilling seems unlikely. I know you have been in search of some genuine "mags" for quite some time... I would pass on this set though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Any competant machine shop should be able to redrill those wheels and install some steel lug nut seats (here is a link to someone offering them: http://www.prestigewheel.com/mainInserts.htm) I would caution you that magnesium fails internally and if the wheels are old, they should be X-rayed for cracks most aircraft repair services have access to X-ray machines for inspection of magnesium wheels.
If you want a new set of 15X8 magnesium wheels drilled to any bolt pattern needed these are for sale BRAND NEW! around $1000 each (Link: http://vintageeng.com/MG6A.html)
Maybe we can all get together and do a "group buy" for those Mags and get the price down to $750 each. I would seriously be willling to buy 4 for $3K, so if anyone else is serious about a set, lets start a list.
If you want a new set of 15X8 magnesium wheels drilled to any bolt pattern needed these are for sale BRAND NEW! around $1000 each (Link: http://vintageeng.com/MG6A.html)
Maybe we can all get together and do a "group buy" for those Mags and get the price down to $750 each. I would seriously be willling to buy 4 for $3K, so if anyone else is serious about a set, lets start a list.
Last edited by Solid LT1; Oct 8, 2010 at 11:03 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I work on historic race cars. Lots of magnesium parts. All your Hewland transaxles have magnesium cases. All front and rear bulkheads on Monoque chassis where the suspension frames attach are magnesium. Cosworth timing and valve covers. We weld and remachine these items all the time.
It's just like welding aluminum. You use inert gases. It is actually pretty hard to get big pieces of magnesium to burn. Shavings, powder, the curlings off a lathe are very flammable
It's just like welding aluminum. You use inert gases. It is actually pretty hard to get big pieces of magnesium to burn. Shavings, powder, the curlings off a lathe are very flammable
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
I work on historic race cars. Lots of magnesium parts. All your Hewland transaxles have magnesium cases. All front and rear bulkheads on Monoque chassis where the suspension frames attach are magnesium. Cosworth timing and valve covers. We weld and remachine these items all the time.
It's just like welding aluminum. You use inert gases. It is actually pretty hard to get big pieces of magnesium to burn. Shavings, powder, the curlings off a lathe are very flammable
It's just like welding aluminum. You use inert gases. It is actually pretty hard to get big pieces of magnesium to burn. Shavings, powder, the curlings off a lathe are very flammable
