[boodlefoof]

So everyone, I'm planning ahead a bit again...

To go along with my overall plan to have my '63 Tempest look (to the casual observer) like something that (more-or-less) could have come from the factory, I want to run some black-painted steel wheels with the factory poverty caps. While I have the caps, the original wheels are long gone... and, even if I did have the original wheels, my bolt pattern has now changed to 5 x 4.75''.

I'm considering trying to find some steel wheels with a 5 x 4.75'' bolt pattern that I can then modify to accept the factory caps. At first impression, it seems to me as though one could simply weld a ring to the front of another steel wheel, which ring provides the correct outside diamter for the hubcap to grab on to.

Has anybody here done this or something like it?

[63Banshee]

Don't think I would use a ring. 3 tabs, 4 tabs max. More than that and run the risk of cap damage. Have only seen 5x4.5 wheels that accept the T4 poverty, but I bet there is a 5x4.75 wheel out there that will.

[tom s]

if your REALLY serious.Get a set of stock wheels and change your bolt pattern back to 4 1/2,WAY easyer IMO,Tom

[boodlefoof]

63Banshee - I'm not sure I follow as to why this would potentially damage the cap. Is the concern you're contemplating that the cap needs to flex a little bit to slip over the lip, but if the lip is a full 360 degrees around there is no room for the cap to go out of round to slip on and come off?

tom s - I am serious! The thought of factory wheels had crossed my mind. I should also have mentioned, though, that I'll be stuffing wider tires out back, which would make the stock wheels a no-go from that standpoint as well. I'm very comfortable fabricating things, and it really seems to me as though fabbing and welding a small piece of metal onto another wheel would be a pretty easy task. Also will be cheaper to work with the parts I have than to start changing things already.

I don't know what the factory wheel has to hold the caps on there to use for comparison. If anyone has a close-up picture of a factory wheel with the cap off, I would appreciate it.

[63Banshee]

Originally Posted by boodlefoof

63Banshee - I'm not sure I follow as to why this would potentially damage the cap. Is the concern you're contemplating that the cap needs to flex a little bit to slip over the lip, but if the lip is a full 360 degrees around there is no room for the cap to go out of round to slip on and come off?

Yes

[beemergary]

Why not get the wheels that work and fabricate some clips. Then clips could be welded or bolted to wheel. Just my 2 cents.

[TempestFugit]

I think this is a stock '63 wheel.

[grparen]

I sent my rear stock steel 15 inch 5 X 4.5 tempest wheels to a company in Calif. They cut the centers out and mounted them to 8 inch wide rims. My factory correct poverty caps fit fine.

[spartazoo]

Originally Posted by grparen

I sent my rear stock steel 15 inch 5 X 4.5 tempest wheels to a company in Calif. They cut the centers out and mounted them to 8 inch wide rims. My factory correct poverty caps fit fine.

Will the original wheel centers clear modern disc brake calipers like the Scarebird system?

[grparen]

I doubt they will fit the scarebird disc setup. I think I have seen other threads in this forum where it was stated that after market wheels are required. I am going with original drum brakes but had shoes made with better material. It will be interesting bringing the 421 dual quad 450 HP beast to a stop.

[boodlefoof]

In addition to bolt pattern, brake fitment was another factor leading me to consider different wheels and making the poverty caps fit. I think the disk brakes I'm putting up front will be a bit tight with a 15'' wheel.

[Radman]

Disk brakes will fit a 15 inch wheel just fine. It is the shape of the old wheels that will not work on disks. They fold into the center to soon and would rub on the calliper.

[xlrate]

I think the 64-72 PMD Poverty caps look era correct to the average person ..on the 4.75 pattern.

Here are mine: