I have a 66 Electra that I want to put Buick rims on. The 66-70 rims have the 2 1/8 hole. The three sets of rims I have are 2 inch and dust cover pushes the retainer clip off. My plan is to cut the original dust cover and weld a smaller piece onto it shorten it up and prevent this from happening. Does this sound like a workable plan? Or, what have you guys done as a workaround?
Which "dust cover" are you referring to? The 66, 67, 8 Center Caps are available from Mitch Romanowski ( http://buickcenters.com/ and he can sell you the 2" spring retainers and I think that would work with drilling, tapping and screws... The factory ones are going to be more difficult to work with as there is not as much material there to drill and tap. Welding is probably not an option but I've seen JB Weld used to fuse the spring retainer into the center cap. On Mitch's center caps he has a strap that is held by the aforementioned screws one has to fix to the back of the hole before wheel installation on the car. They hold the caps on but one cannot remove without removing the wheel. Ted
Wasn’t clear in my question, but I am referring to the grease cap. I want to remove part of it and weld a shorter cap from a later model Buick.
I am talking about the grease cap that protrudes out on the 66 Electra. I want to reduce the amount that sticks out. Will purchase the center caps from a member on this forum. My rim’s exterior opening is 2 inches wide and I’ll order the corresponding retainer clip.
Will take a look at this. I’ve always been concerned with spacers and having enough turns on the lug nut to secure the rim. Also, having to torque them again every so often. However, this seems like the easiest way to do it.