Posted by Simon
I am rebuilding a 1977 400 in the UK (as some of you probably know already) and I need to make a decision about the wheels and tyres. I need new tyres anyway and these are originally 215/70VRx15. So here is the problem:
My original 15-inch magnesium-alloy wheels are corroded. I have had them re-finished twice and each time they start to corrode again within a couple of months. I have been advised that I need to bead-blast them again and them treat them with zinc chromate - a specialist job. Then I must fill in any pitting and repaint them. The treatment is around $150 per wheel and the filling, flatting and painting will take a long time.
I have also been offered some new reproduction 'Speedline' wheels for a 308 which I am told will fit (I can try them before I buy them) and I'm also told that they look the same. These are 16-inch and cost $310 each.
Question is which option to go for? I'm tending towards the new wheels at the moment because they are the easy option but then, I guess, I will loose points at shows - I don't really know what to do.
So what's you opinion?
Wheels - shall I buy new or shall I refurbish
Re: Wheels - shall I buy new or shall I refurbish
Posted by Tom Yang
Hi Simon,
I went to your owner's gallery entry and can't see what you wheels look like! I'm assuming it's the "star mag" often seen on the 400s.
Are the Speedline forged aluminum? I'd make sure they're not cast. If you're going to spend the money, you're going to want a strong safe wheel. If they're European made, do they pass the German TUV rating?
If you go with the 16s, you'll be able to fit a 60 series tire on the wheel, giving you a little more modern look. To the casual observer, they'll never notice, especially if it still has the five spoke design. Are you planning on showing the car? Will loosing a couple of points matter to you?
The safety of magnesium is another issue. Now I don't want to start a firestorm by saying this, but the older Magnesiums are not as durable as the forged aluminum alloys of today for a street application. I've heard concerns of Dinos using other wheels for racing instead of the Chromodoras because of stress cracking. Now you're not going to stress your street wheel as much as a track condition, but can a stress fracture occur from a minorr curbing? The older mag wheels used different alloys, and may weaken through time. The 312F-1 car Francois is rebuilding has Mags, and were x-rayed for cracks before he felt confident enough to put back on the car.
Tom
Hi Simon,
I went to your owner's gallery entry and can't see what you wheels look like! I'm assuming it's the "star mag" often seen on the 400s.
Are the Speedline forged aluminum? I'd make sure they're not cast. If you're going to spend the money, you're going to want a strong safe wheel. If they're European made, do they pass the German TUV rating?
If you go with the 16s, you'll be able to fit a 60 series tire on the wheel, giving you a little more modern look. To the casual observer, they'll never notice, especially if it still has the five spoke design. Are you planning on showing the car? Will loosing a couple of points matter to you?
The safety of magnesium is another issue. Now I don't want to start a firestorm by saying this, but the older Magnesiums are not as durable as the forged aluminum alloys of today for a street application. I've heard concerns of Dinos using other wheels for racing instead of the Chromodoras because of stress cracking. Now you're not going to stress your street wheel as much as a track condition, but can a stress fracture occur from a minorr curbing? The older mag wheels used different alloys, and may weaken through time. The 312F-1 car Francois is rebuilding has Mags, and were x-rayed for cracks before he felt confident enough to put back on the car.
Tom
Re: Wheels - shall I buy new or shall I refurbish
Posted by Simon
Thanks Tom. The 16-inch wheels areTUV approved so no problems there. I want the car to look as original as possible which is why I am not jumping on the new wheels straight away. I don't track the car so the mag-alloys should still be OK. The company that Iwould use to spray the zinc chromate specialise in repairing helicopter parts so I'll have them thoroughly inspect the old wheels first.
Still can't decide though.
Thanks Tom. The 16-inch wheels areTUV approved so no problems there. I want the car to look as original as possible which is why I am not jumping on the new wheels straight away. I don't track the car so the mag-alloys should still be OK. The company that Iwould use to spray the zinc chromate specialise in repairing helicopter parts so I'll have them thoroughly inspect the old wheels first.
Still can't decide though.
Re: Wheels - shall I buy new or shall I refurbish
Posted by Simon
Thanks Tom. The 16-inch wheels areTUV approved so no problems there. I want the car to look as original as possible which is why I am not jumping on the new wheels straight away. I don't track the car so the mag-alloys should still be OK. The company that Iwould use to spray the zinc chromate specialise in repairing helicopter parts so I'll have them thoroughly inspect the old wheels first.
Still can't decide though.
Thanks Tom. The 16-inch wheels areTUV approved so no problems there. I want the car to look as original as possible which is why I am not jumping on the new wheels straight away. I don't track the car so the mag-alloys should still be OK. The company that Iwould use to spray the zinc chromate specialise in repairing helicopter parts so I'll have them thoroughly inspect the old wheels first.
Still can't decide though.