BUILD THREAD Turning Back Time

[CaliWagon83]

FYI, on the latch/tumblers, I found the WD-40 lithium spray grease works wonders. When I had my Avalanche a few years ago, the tailgate mechanism was seized solid to the point I was starting to bend the key. I took the latch handle mechanism off and gave it a good soak, and it worked like brand new.

 

[ssn696]

A while back, there was a post about reproducing parts for the G-body and I chimed in that I'd like to see reproductions of the old Malibu rally wheels in a bigger diameter. The originals were a 14x6 wheel with a pentagonal cap and holes in the stamped steel centers. Here's what I would like to reproduce in 18":

The 2wd S10 had wheels in a different paint scheme that used the same wheel center in a 15x7 form. The caps worked equally well in those rims. I picked up a set of reproduction caps and emblems from various Internet resources over the years.

I've had this idea to use a set of late-model Camaro base-model steelies. I'll need to paint them to echo the old Malibu rally pattern, or get some stickers printed to outline the holes. Here is a mock-up of my idea:

This requires a set of adapters to convert to the 5x120 pattern, 14x1.5 lug studs, plus a 1.5 to 2-inch offset.

I have picked up a couple sets of the aluminum versions, but I finally scored a set of the steelies. On the same weekend, EBay coughed up a set of OEM beauty rims and caps in case I need to adapt the latter to the Malibu caps. Meanwhile, the Forum again provides - I obtained a set of four of the steel clip rings from a set of OEM rallies.

So, here is the start of the adventure.

The lugs will fit under the caps. The only conflict is the angle of the center stamping conflicts with the cap edges. Have to design some shims or shave the caps. The wheel adapters leave pockets for a fastener head to stick out no problem,

Stay tuned.

 

[ssn696]

My weekends continue to evaporate, so I have not made much progress on my 18" Rally wheel concept. Instead, I just bolted them onto the car and put away the S10 ZQ8 rims with no-mile rubber that was going to waste on the driveway. I got a second set of wheel adapters, 1.5" this time. Ran into two problems. The 2-1/2" long wheel studs I put into the rear disc brake hubs stick out too far, so I swapped two of the 2" adapters from the coupe. Second problem is that the Camaro rims don't fit over the taper of the stock rotor/hub with only 1.5" adapters. I ugly-bolted them on so that car at least sits on the ground for now. Not planning to drive it this way. Middle and right photos show the difference.



The tires are way too tall - I can't even turn the front wheels without severe rubbing on the fender liners. The BF Goodrich T/As have a nice rounded sidewall. That gets lost trading for a 40-series sidewall needed to match the stock diameter.



For $160 on CL, the steelies came with 10-year-old low-mile tires, but they hold air, so why not store the car on them for a while? Oh, and what better place to keep the beauty rims and caps safe but on the car? I have to admit, I kind of like the Camaro wheels as-is.



When I swap in the S10 knuckles and packaged hub assemblies, the conflict with the rotor hubs will solve itself. One potential benefit is that the S10 conversion makes the front track wider by a half inch or so. If I put the 1.5" adapters on the front and the 2" adapters on the rear, that may provide the optimum appearance. We will see.

Washed the wagon and put a new car cover on it. Back to the day job. Ready for Christmas break.