Hot Rods Setting stock wheels inside towards the frame

I did a quick search and didnt see it. So I had an axled for a 38 Chevy dropped by Sids and am using 6 lug discs on the front. yeah I know not 100% HAMB worthy but I want the thing to stop. Somewhere along the line between the drop and the brakes the wheels sit too far outboard by about an inch. I want to keep the stock wheels. How does a guy find a wheel shop that will do this? If it means anything I am in South Dakota. Am I likely to find any shop local to do it or is it a thing of the past?

 

Ouch!

 

Try Wheelsmith in CA. I talked to them about doing some 50's Chev wheels.

 

???? how so?

 

The drop usually narrows the width of the front axle, so it must be the disc brake kit that caused your issue. That is where I would start to fix it.

 

Is that 1” total, or 1” per side?

 

Did the brake kit even warn you that it widens the footprint? As said above, it’s very common that dropping a stock axle will narrow it a bit. Unless you specifically request for it to retain the original width (not wise).

 

one inch per side.

the disc brakes said it wouldnt push the wheels to the outside. Its a kit made to use stock wheels

 

Your stock wheels are either 4-1/2” or 5 “ wide and riveted. Grind or drill out the rivets and move out the centers as far as you can. I’m guessing with care you can do the centering and truing on the car. Carefully remove them and have them welded. Remember to tack weld crossways first.
As a point the 37-38 wheel stock hub caps set pretty far out on the center and now your pushing them out farther out. If that’s the style you want, OK.
I would do the whole job in my garage. Unless your in Pakistan most wheels are MIG welded today.

 

What does “wouldt” mean? If the kit said no, I’d send it back and tell them that they lied. If the kit said yes, you’ll have to get creative with your wheels.

Or, drop another axle and tell them to narrow it up as much as they can.

 

wouldt was a typo should be wouldn't. sorry

 

thanks that's the answer I was looking for. They are just a little outboard and want to rub the fenders just a bit. And looks a little odd to me. It goes to the alignment shop next week for new shoes and alignment, maybe a little shorter tire will change things enough and maybe the springs are sagging just a little. I don't know, Ill have it all checked out next week. thanks for the post!

 

I'd call the seller of the disc brake kit and ask them why it's wider when their kit said it wouldn't be?

 

I'd follow what @jimmy six recommended above. Its pretty easy to do, just put the wheel on a spindle and spin it with a dial indicator on the bead so you can tell its running true before tack welding it. Then check it again after each tack weld and tap it straight if it moved. Tack on opposite sides (180 degrees), check true and tack again 90 degrees from the first two. Also, I would check each wheel BEFORE you do any drilling or welding to see how true they were to begin with. Ultimately this will probably be the most straight forward solution to your problem.

 

I would like to think its an error but the more I deal with this company I'm realizing its a little deception by omission. Plus they aren't very cooperative after they get your card number. Just frustration when you do all the research and its misleading. I didn't ask the right questions I guess. Thanks for the post

 

We need pictures of your disc brake conversion.

 

7 in Chevy wheel mated to 5 on 5 1/2 center with 5 1/2 in backspacing to fit tires under fenders of 36 Ford with 9 in Ford rear end being TOO wide b4 “surgery”.

 

If you’re set on original wheels or at least the center, and your stock hoop doesn’t have an inch to give. You could order some new hoops from speedway and swap them. You’re in South Dakota so I’d go find your/ make some dirt track buddy’s and see who localy can handle it if you don’t feel confident in doing the swap yourself

 

That is step one.
One thing that burns my damned biscuits on this board or any other hot rod board is clowns that have no frigging clue as to a guy's or gals skills or abilities to modify something who starts telling them to "just cut it apart, move it and weld it back together". I don't want to see a guy ruin his wheels or wreck his car because he feels that he has to do it himself to placate that nonsense idea.

As someone said, if you know some circle track guys they usually know "that guy" who has the setup to swap hoops around on wheels and do it so they run true. The other option is get ahold of Wheelsmith and ask them either about new wheels or reworking a pair of yours.

 

Did you tell Sid you were putting disk brakes on it? He can typically drop axles and keep the original width (stretch drop) or allow it to get narrower if adding disk brakes that almost always makes a wider track width from what I have seen.

You could likely swap out the axle but you would at minimum be out shipping each way.

 

Yes they know at Sids I was putting disc brakes on. The only reason I didn't chose their kit is because they said my original wheels wouldn't clear

 

I noticed the installation has a 1” or so spacer/bearing race. I imagine that is the width problem. They probably had to do that to accommodate their caliper bracket design. Looks like if you want to use that kit it is either a stock axle or a dropped one which is made to allow for it. Really can’t see how a different backspace is possible with those wheels to accommodate the situation.

I am not sure if it is “deception by omission” or lack of research by the buyer. Although the bracket on the car does not look like the product shot.

 

You could run a lot smaller tire and get better clearance (and looks). Your stock wheels may be able to increase backspacing some, not sure you can get a full inch. I agree that disc brakes is most likely pushing your wheel mounting surface out vs the stock drums. Try calling Wheelsmith in CA, see what they can do. You probably need to ship your wheels to them if you want the exact same centers. Or as suggested, a local round track race shop can probably do the work as well.