VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Rim bolts

Hi. Does anyone know of someone making rim bolts for wooden spoke wheels? They are very special
I have new wheels coming from Bill Calimer and he mentioned someone, but that guy has no e-mail or website, only phone so difficult to reach from Sweden.

Olle
490 Touring, running, 490 Touring project, 1930 Coach running

Someone making rim bolts? That would be worthwhile information to know for many early Chev owners and restorers.

Vintage rims in Australia sells wheel rim bolts.

www.vintagerimsaus.com

I found Rim Bolts on Langs Old Car Parts, https://www.modeltford.com/item/2847.aspx, T-Ford(!), for $1,15ea, they are obviously for wheels with wooden fellow.
Has anyone used them?

Olle

"T" rim bolts are different. The ones for Chev are quite special.

Can you give me info on wood wheel spokes? I have a 1925 Superior touring, and some are so loose there's no hope. Have to replace them. Thanks, Eric in Reno, Nevada, USA

Do a search for wheelwright. Search specifically for automotive. Calimers is one that should pop up. There are others that respoke wheels.

I have a good sized pile of rim bolts that were replaced during the time when these cars were on the road. Some look pretty good by todays standards ( maybe slightly bent). If I know what you need, I might be able to help. Many are the carriage style head with one side turned up to match the radius of the fellow.

Mike

Hi.
The rim bolts I need are 2 5/8" long by 7/16" dim and the head bent up for holding the fellow. I need 20 of them as I have an order for 4 wheels with Bill Calimer.

Olle

This is what you need
http://www.oldera.com.au/wheel-hardware/

Picture of how a Chevrolet bolts head looks

Course threads or fine threads?

Mike

7/16 UNF

7/16-20.

These are for the hub not the rim. Rim bolt is a different beast as shown in pictures from Bluezone.

I sorted about 5 pounds of used rim bolts. The lengths are 2-7/8, 3-1/8, and 3-1/4 inch (measured from under the head). I thought it odd that none matched the length asked for by olleschevy and via email from another chat member. I decided to consult my Wheels Incorporated catalog from 1932.
According to the catalog, '28, and later, Chevy cars with demountable rims, use the 3-1/4 inch bolt.
Are you guys sure about the 2-5/8 inch length?

Mike

Gary Wallace
Hub Bolt
$3.00 a piece
http://www.earlychevyparts.com/catalog.htm

They are NOT hub bolts. They are rim bolts.

Mike

They say hub bolts and list rim bolts separately.

I see he says "call". I'm guessing he only has them when he can find some. I don't think anyone is making new ones at this time. Price is fluid, depending on what he has to pay for them.

Mike

Hi again.
I decided to try and make rim bolts with the functionallity and not necessary with correct looks.
I have put two files in the attachment manager showing how. One with dimensions on a regular 7/16" bolt and a photo.
Bill Calimer, from whom I have ordered wheels approved of this and I am in the processof making the" washers" for them.

regards
Olle

So in my fire sprinkler day job world there is a coupling used that has bolts very similar to what is used on the outer rim. It has the same eccentric under the head to keep it from turning. The only difference is that the rear side has not been forged up to follow the outer rim contour. I have wondered if the manufacturer could be contacted to find their bolt supplier and have that modification implemented. It is called by one trade mark a "victaulic coupling" These were invented during WWI to get fresh water to the beach field hospitals and save more lives. A crew on a raft could lay enough pipe from the fresh water tanks on a ship to the beach in a day. It has to be the right size coupling to have the right size bolts, and if I remember correct it is 2-1/2" I could probably find one of those bolts if someone could post a picture.