2600 wheels

[tubut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by D&SW Tire size is an issue; I looked up the respective diameters of the 165-400 and 205 55-16 and there's about a 1 1/2" difference between the two with the 205's being shorter. (Am I correct in understanding that the 165's are about 26.6" diameter?)

[D&SW]

Bob's page is good reading....and if I understand things, he's recommending a 205-65-16 tire as the closest size, but also saying that its not available.

However, a check with TireRack shows somewhere in the vicinity of 10 tires in that size( not counting snow tires) 2 of which I would certainly buy becaue of good price/performance ratios (a Yokohama @ $69 and a Goodyear @ $ 89.)

The diameter is right on the money at 26.6" for the Yoko, 26.5 for the Goodyears, fit rims as narrow as 5.5"; section width at 8.2 and tread width 6.6"

Can I conclude that if we could get a 6" wide rim from Dayton and get caliper clearance we could have an elegant (if not inexpensive) solution?

Obviously the tradeoffs are some vintage appearance issues, including non vintage-look wider tires, but gains are in safety including shorter braking distances, improvement in handling and lower replacement cost of tires. Of course, this only solves the problem for those who like wire wheels.

Personally, I would like every potential issue to be raised and the overly optimistics ones shot down as I'm the newbie in the group and saying my mechanical knowledge is limited is still over-rating it.

regards,

David

[twoliterlover]

Gentlemen: Here, courtesy of Cliff Jones, are photos of Dayton Wire wheels fitted with speedometer correct Michelin 550HR16 tires (NOT 600x16 since these are radials slightly less in width) along with costs -- wheels, adaptors, knock-offs and tires. We should invite this man to enjoy the AlfaBB with us. His car is ready to go now with the exception of the engine which I am re-building up for him with oversize pistons, new bearings, stainless steel valves and seats, new guildes with stem seals and 9mm stems, weber carburetors, fitted cold air box, redone gearbox, clutch, etc. Still needs to by dyno'd. He says his wife will soon be so disgusted by the delay she will demand he send me the car too (which I need like a third nostril). But I understand. An Alfa cries to be driven. (BE SURE TO CHECK THE ATTACHED FILE ON PRICES) Jay

[dretceterini]

Quote:

Originally Posted by twoliterlover Gentlemen: Here, courtesy of Cliff Jones, are photos of Dayton Wire wheels fitted with speedometer correct Michelin 550HR16 tires (NOT 600x16 since these are radials slightly less in width) along with costs -- wheels, adaptors, knock-offs and tires. We should invite this man to enjoy the AlfaBB with us. His car is ready to go now with the exception of the engine which I am re-building up for him with oversize pistons, new bearings, stainless steel valves and seats, new guildes with stem seals and 9mm stems, weber carburetors, fitted cold air box, redone gearbox, clutch, etc. Still needs to by dyno'd. He says his wife will soon be so disgusted by the delay she will demand he send me the car too (which I need like a third nostril). But I understand. An Alfa cries to be driven. (BE SURE TO CHECK THE ATTACHED FILE ON PRICES) Jay

[D&SW]

so am I to understand that the "adapters" simply fit onto the existing 5 lug hubs and convert to knockoffs?

also, how much improvement do 550HR16 provide over the 400 hr16 tires?

and is this 2000 discs front, drums rear with similar clearances to the 2600?

David

[twoliterlover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by D&SW so am I to understand that the "adapters" simply fit onto the existing 5 lug hubs and convert to knockoffs? also, how much improvement do 550HR16 provide over the 400 hr16 tires? and is this 2000 discs front, drums rear with similar clearances to the 2600? David

[tubut]

These Dayton seem to be a relatively inexpensive option to put wire wheels on a car. Other than that, I fail to see what is gained.

Except for the speed rating, there doesn't seem to be much improvement going from 165SR400 tires to 550HR16 tires. Ignoring shipping, both types of tires seem to cost about the same (1 GBP = USD 1.88). The section width of the 550HR16 is only 5 mm wider than the 165SR400. Substituting another make for the Michelin (see here what other brands Coker offers) seems like a step back in time.

[67alloy]

True, there are two schools of thought going on in this thread. Back to the high-performance option:

http://www.realmengineering.com/

Check out the Dunlop style racing wheels made in aluminum to fit most anything!

Wm. Hall

[D&SW]

Well, am I missing something here?
Namely, wouldn't the ideal situation be Dayton wires made in say 6" wheel width to accomodate the 205-65-16 modern tire? (which has the correct
26.6" o.d.)

With that option (if it clears fenders, brakes etc.) you get the vintage wire look and far superior tire performance. This is what I'm looking for.

For track/performance, wires are never really a viable option are they? So maybe it would be a good idea for to separate these discussions with another thread on performance-only wheels/rubber.

David

[D&SW]

Dayton makes 6 x 15 and 6 x 16 KO and Bolt on wires; they are sending me a measurement sheet to use in determining whether a particular wheel will fit;

I will post it here as as soon as I receive it.

Is anyone interested in participating in a "group buy'?

David

[dretceterini]

Quote:

Originally Posted by D&SW Well, am I missing something here? Namely, wouldn't the ideal situation be Dayton wires made in say 6" wheel width to accomodate the 205-65-16 modern tire? (which has the correct 26.6" o.d.) With that option (if it clears fenders, brakes etc.) you get the vintage wire look and far superior tire performance. This is what I'm looking for. For track/performance, wires are never really a viable option are they? So maybe it would be a good idea for to separate these discussions with another thread on performance-only wheels/rubber. David

[67alloy]

The wires are very pretty, but I am not sure that anyone would ever advise switching from a solid to a wire wheel to improve handling (at least in a high performance application). Having said that, the Daytons are much safer than using reconditioned vintage wheels.

If the small differences bug you, you can always buy the stickers and 'real' engraved Borrani spinners.http://www.dragoneclassics.com/borrani_wheels.htm My bet is that they are the same thread as the Dayton spinners; ask them- they will be frank with you if they fit or not.

Or, simply go with the bolt on's and save the extra expense. Borrani did make bolt-on's that were used in that era; I have a set on my '70 Ghibli.

I think the aluminum Realmengineering "Dunlop" style wheels deserve a hard look though. About the same price it seems.

Suddenly the problem is "too many options"?

[2600]

Hi guys,
It certainly looks as though Bill has struck the nail squarely with the Realm "Dunlop" type wheel. Obviously, they will need to meet the dimensions of the stock rim, save diameter. Also, as the wheels are available in a 5 bolt pattern, the" bolt on" hub becomes redundant. The visual aspect ( as far as I can tell ) is in keeping with the era and style, and one will not exceed the wheels VNE as long as it's attatched to a 2600.............Price and availability?
These would seem to be the final hurdles to this tiring dilemma.... (Oh dear!)
Cheers Adrian

[schaapm]

What about these wheels?
These are Technomagnesio, 15 inch with a wide Tyre from Avon. As I recall it was a 205/70/15 Tyre what really gives a nice and muscular look.....

[D&SW]

It's good to learn that there are several options since it brings the decision to the point where it ideally should be: one of taste and application.

some will prefer wires, some a solid wheel (the same options we had 40 yers ago), so we can "nail" whatever we want (except the tire, ha ha....)

I've particularly benefited from this discussion since I had no knowledge of any wheel options when this thread started.

I gratefully thank all the contributors to it.

David