Lucy, Lucy, Lucy

[64 kiwi boni]

You might have to if the planet goes mad max mate !!

[Frosty]

True. I'm not that desperate yet, however, having a blown Falcon XB GT would be cool

[64 kiwi boni]

5 hours ago, Frosty said:

True. I'm not that desperate yet, however, having a blown Falcon XB GT would be cool

Yeah but they are a 100k now !!! 

[Wrongway]

Glad she's home safe bro!

[Frosty]

Thanks. I’m hoping to wash her up and drive a few miles on her this weekend.

Edited October 1, 2023 by Frosty

[Frosty]

I got Lucy washed on the outside plus I scrubbed the convertible top with top cleaner. I still need to clean and detail the interior and under the hood.

[Frosty]

I was stunned to find out that the Wheel Vintques company that I purchased a set of Rally IIs from, is actually managed or owned by Coker Tire Company. I sure didn't see that coming. I need a pair of 15x8 with a custom 5.5" backspacing but I can't find anyone online (so far) that will do custom backspacing.

[31pontiac]

Thankfully I got my chrome reverse wheels from Wheel Vintiques before Coker acquired them.  I had custom backspacing done and they were good to work with ( 20+ years ago ).  I have not heard too much good about them since Coker entered the picture.

[Frosty]

I’m glad things worked out for you. I’m in a quandary about what to do next.

[indymanjoe]

i had a number for a guy in livonia i think that could widen them for custom backspace. i was looking to get a pair narrowed down for skinny fronts. he couldnt do that though because of the tapper. been looking for his number and havent found it yet. maybe Justa gave it to me?

[31pontiac]

   Many people on a HAMB like Wheelsmith in CA.  His website does not show Pontiac Rally II wheels but he does custom work in addition to his standard offerings. You may need to supply a pair of wheels for parts for him to build yours. Might be worth looking into.

[Frosty]

Hmmm.....Wheelsmith huh? I never heard of them before. Thanks for the tip 31pointiac. I will check them out.

Joe i if you find the number, let me know. Thanks bud.

[JUSTA6]

4 hours ago, indymanjoe said:

i had a number for a guy in livonia i think that could widen them for custom backspace. i was looking to get a pair narrowed down for skinny fronts. he couldnt do that though because of the tapper. been looking for his number and havent found it yet. maybe Justa gave it to me?

Sorry, but it wasn't me.  The shop and owner that helped me build my rims has passed and the shop is closed.

[JUSTA6]

10 hours ago, Frosty said:

I’m glad things worked out for you. I’m in a quandary about what to do next.

JETHRO...Thought your only problem was when you loaded up the Truck to head for Beverly....Hills that is.....    You once said it was the parade N too many peeps on your float that made the tires rub.  Had the same prob w/the bird and esp with the trailor.  You can buy add on ala cart springs for your shocks.  When the kids got bigger and was still able to fold themselves into the back seat or pulling the trailor.  This solved all my problems, still have motion needed, but the stiff springs kick in when LOADED.

[Frosty]

3 hours ago, JUSTA6 said:

JETHRO...Thought your only problem was when you loaded up the Truck to head for Beverly....Hills that is.....    You once said it was the parade N too many peeps on your float that made the tires rub.  Had the same prob w/the bird and esp with the trailor.  You can buy add on ala cart springs for your shocks.  When the kids got bigger and was still able to fold themselves into the back seat or pulling the trailor.  This solved all my problems, still have motion needed, but the stiff springs kick in when LOADED.

Actually I have a set of Loadmaster shocks (combined shock and mini-coil over) in back to help support the added weight during parades and such. Still , even without the added weight, the rear tires are still very close to the inner lip of the fender and I am fearful of it cutting the tire. No I don't want to roll the inner fender either. If I do that, then I have loose the stainless trim around the fender.

[Last Indian]

On 10/12/2023 at 2:06 PM, Frosty said:

I was stunned to find out that the Wheel Vintques company that I purchased a set of Rally IIs from, is actually managed or owned by Coker Tire Company. I sure didn't see that coming. I need a pair of 15x8 with a custom 5.5" backspacing but I can't find anyone online (so far) that will do custom backspacing.

Frosty, can you buy the Rally lls in 15x8 but just in the wrong backspace? If you can, you might consider buying them. But first you need to find a good local machine shop. One that does machining, fab work & welding. They can grind away the weld that attaches the hub to the ring. Then they can reset the hub in the ring to the desired backspace, check it for running true, tack weld the hub to the ring, recheck & then weld it up. After that, take the rims have them checked for balance. Any out of balance issues can be resolved by adding the weight needed, in steel, than again tack weld that weight in place. I have built several sets of rims over the years this way. I have actually done this, but split the ring. Added a rolled ring in between the two halves to widen the rims. Than rewelded the hub where I needed it.

[Frosty]

Thanks Last Indian. I talked to a car builder friend of mine today. He said there was a local guy who did this work but sadly he has passed away quite some time ago and the shop is closed.

[Last Indian]

14 hours ago, Frosty said:

Thanks Last Indian. I talked to a car builder friend of mine today. He said there was a local guy who did this work but sadly he has passed away quite some time ago and the shop is closed.

Frosty I understand that & sad to hear about the man. Obviously it would be the simplest if you can buy them in the proper backspace.
Yet presuming you can’t you can still accomplish this. If you lived in this area it would be a snap, as I know quite a few machine shop owners personally that I used in my working days for LZ. But since you don’t there are a couple ways you can still get this done! You may have to do some research or looking though. Most of this you could accomplish on your own. You would need a grinder, a big rubber mallet, a magnetic base that is used for a dial indicator & a dial indicator. Also a GM front spindle with the hub & bearings installed that has the right bolt pattern + some lug nuts.
You would also need a way to attach the hub assembly to a bench or mount it in a large sturdy vice, & you need someone who can Tig weld. I can explain this procedure further if needed.
An other way, there’s a Machine service company in Oxford Michigan that could possibly do the work or direct you to where you might go. Casemer tool & machine. They have some manual lathes. In particular Clausing/Nardini. If these lathes are 17” they would be capable of holding those rims. In this instance, steel rims usually run pretty true, unless the rims are bent, they can turn the rims on the lathe & cut the welds out. This procedure usually works the best for having the best results of removing the weld without introducing on the center hub or the ring. Once the center hub is free & removed ring can be cleaned up. Any excess weld can be machined out to make it a clean finish. Then the center hub can be relocated. If they have welding capabilities the center can be indicated true with the proper backspacing, tacked in place on all the attaching points. Then remove for complete welding. 

[Frosty]

Well boys, I spent some time under Lucy this weekend. I found some shims between the drivers side rear lower control arm and the 1” sway bar had somehow drop down and really were not doing much. I had to remove the drivers side bolts and loosen the passenger side to get the shims out and reinstall them. Then tighten every thing back up.

I took one of my 255-60-15 front tires on a 15x7 rim and a 275-60-15 rear tire on a 15x8 rim to Discount Tire.  Had them dismount both wheels and JUSTA install the 15x8 wheel on the 255 tire. The 7-in rim has a 4 in backspacing, the 8-in rim has a 4:5 in backspacing. There is nearly an inch difference in width between the 255 and 275 tire. My mechanic thought I needed 5.5 inch backspacing but they are not available without custom order wheels. Coker/Wheel Vintques do not do custom wheels.

i am trying to see if I can fit the small tire on the rear to solve my rubbing problem. Can I get away with just 2 new tires, or do I need new wheels too? I got both a 7 and 8 inch rim with 255 rubber on the rear now. I ran out of time tonight to find a level and a long straight edge to see if it clears or not. I’ll let you know what I find out soon.

Hey Indyman, can you use a pair of 275s? They have less than a 100 miles on them.

Edited December 31, 2023 by Frosty

[Fitzy]

Hey Frosty, you might remember when I had to have the PCD altered on my Torq Thrusts. The dude was called Dr Wheels and they do all sorts of modifications. My point is that if we have one here, the US must have a hundred such specialists. I googled 'change wheel pcd' and he popped up. I never dreamt that such a place ever existed until my mind wandered and curiosity took over. Just a thought.

[Frosty]

Hmmm…interesting idea Fitzy. I will have to google that and see what comes up. I hope there is something local to me.

[JUSTA6]

Have you measured the backspace on both sides in the rear?  Do both sides rub?

[Frosty]

It rubs against the fender lip and I don’t want to have to roll the fender and loose the stainless trim around each fender. I’ve not seen any rubbing on the inside fender well.

When my mechanic measured the wheel wells, he figured a 5.5” backspace is needed to fit my 275s safely.

[JUSTA6]

Does it rub on both sides of the car?  Your rear end might not be square in the car. If the shims N rear sway are off, what else might your mechanic have missed?  Happy New Year. 

[Frosty]

The rear end is not stock. I replaced the factory 10-bolt with a Mosier 12-bolt back in the early 2000s at a company called Hardcore Performance. At one time, they had the fastest LS-powered Firebird in the country. The shop owner was arrested and convicted on mortgage fraud and the company was shut down. So it is entirely possible that the rear end was not installed perfectly square or perhaps Mosier mounted the 4-link brackets incorrectly. I will need to measure the rear end in order to determine that.