American Classic Wheels : Tech Info

WHEEL LINE

WHEEL FITMENT

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MEASURING CLEARANCE
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(Front of Vehicle)

When measuring front and rear fender/body clearance first remove the wheel from the car, measure from the face (or front) of the rotor/drum to a straight line down the edge of the fender. (A) to (B).

Also Measure clearance from the body to a straight line (A) starting at the front of Rotor/drum. For the rear repeat measure from face of drum/rotor (B) to straight line of edge of the fender.

1971 - 1974 Eldorado Fender Skirt Modification
Kit & Instructions

Download this in a .pdf: click HERE.

How do I measure my wheel's bolt pattern?

Details on getting the proper measurement of the bolt pattern on most vehicles.

4 Lug – Measure center to center of two holes directly across from each other

5 Lug – Measure from the center on one hole to the BACK of the third hole. This is the easiest way to estimate a 5-lug bolt circle.

6 Lug – Measure center to center of two holes directly across from each other.

8 Lug – Measure center to center of two holes directly across from each other.

A Few Facts About Lug Nuts

Here are a few facts about wheel fasteners you should know before you bolt up your wheels on your ride.

1. Matching your lug nuts or bolts to your wheels.

There are 3 basic type fastener seats;

1. Conical Seat – cone shape
2. Spherical Seat – round or ball shape
3. Flat Washer – commonly known as Mag Type
Be sure the fastener seat matches the seat in the wheel.

2. Proper Thread Size.

There are several different thread sizes used today by vehicle manufacturers;

1. 12mm X 1.25
2. 12mm X 1.5
3. 12mm X 1.75
4. 14mm X 1.5
5. 14mm X 2.0
6. 7/16” X 20
7. 1/2” X 20
8. 9/16” X 18

Two other things to remember;
1) do not put oil or lubricant on the threads of either the stud or lugs nuts/bolts, and
2) re-torque the lug nuts/bolts after 25-50 miles.

3. Proper Thread Engagement.

This is critically important. Make sure you have a minimum thread engagement of the diameter of the vehicle stud (as recommended by SAE). An example is, if the stud size of your vehicle is ½” then you will need a minimum of ½” of threads into the lug nut. If for some reason you do not have this minimum then it is recommended that you use an ET Type nut (Extended Thread) (see illustration). ET Type nuts are useful when using spacers (that will be another subject in a future TECH Stuff).

4. Proper Torque (tightening)
This is also very important. Over tightening lug nuts/bolts can fatigue the vehicle studs or lug bolts. Use the SAE recommended torque listed below as a guideline for passenger cars and light trucks;

12mm, 7/16”, 1/2” = 85 ft/lbs (+/- 5 ft/lbs)
14mm, 9/16” = 115 ft/lbs (+/- 5 ft/lbs)

Bolt Measurement

How do I measure my rim width?

A common mistake when measuring a rim's width is measuring the absolute width of the wheel.

To determine the width of the rim, measure from bead seat to bead seat across the wheel, not from lip to lip. The "Bead Seat" is the part of the wheel where the bead of the tire sits once the tire is inflated.

How to Balance:

When tires are mounted on steel wheels, make sure they are balanced from the lugs instead of from the center hole. Aluminum wheels are normally mounted from the center hole because it is drilled out, giving it a perfect surface to mount from. On steel wheels the center holes are stamped, and are sometimes slightly off. If the center hole is used with steel wheels, the balance will be off and the tire will not perform at it's best.

Wheel Care

American Classics Wire Wheel takes great pride in producing the best quality wire wheels available in the industry. Although we pride ourselves on our workmanship, wire wheels require regular maintenance to prevent surface rust.

We recommend the following:
Rinse your wheels with water to remove brake and road dust.

Using a mild detergent and non-nylon brush, loosen remaining dirt and rinse wheels again.

Dry the wheel with a very soft cotton cloth or paper towel. Further dry the wheel by driving the car to ensure all the moisture is removed from the nipples and spokes.

A silicone spray or (WD-40 for chrome wheels) is suggested for the nipple threads to prevent thread rust from developing.

DO NOT use any abrasive cloths or polishes which may scratch the chrome.