Simple question as I'm sure it's been done around here. I have a pair of 16x5 steelies but one has a crack in the center section. I'd like to save the cracked one. It looks like the centers are the same as a 16x4.5. So, I'd like to steal one of the centers and use it to make a good pair of 16x5s. I'm looking for some advice from those who've done it. Any advice?
drill out spot welds or rivets, looks like mine are spot welded. Swap center, center with an old axle on a jig, lathe etc. plug weld in place then finish weld. The same as reversing wheels I have Ford wheels I have built here as well *** widened 56 Chevy
Drill all the rivets. You might get lucky and the new center will align with the rim’s rivet holes, but I wouldn’t bet on it. After tapping it straight, set up a dial indicator and make it as perfect as you can. Tack weld the back edge on all four legs, check again. After all is confirmed, weld the back edges in one or two inch spots. Let cool naturally in between, then weld again. Maybe you will get lucky and no warpage. Then weld and grind the rivet holes.
You can see me doing the 56 Chevy wheels here https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/compulsion-rod-custom-51-gmc-shop-truck-project.872678/
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