Mag Wheels?

54Hollywood
54Hollywood Senior Contributor
edited September 2013 in HUDSON
Every so often I toy with the idea of putting mag wheels on our '54 Hornet Hollywood. I've seen a number of members' cars with mags and they look really nice. So, I was wondering where I can find them? The thing is that I really don't want to convert to disc brakes, so does anyone make mag wheels that we can use with stock drums? I appreciate the help.

Tim in WI.

Comments

  • Ol racer
    Ol racer Senior Contributor
    edited September 2013
    FYI
    Ive bought 14" & 15" Vintage Mag Wheels at Swap Meets with MOPAR Bolt Pattern that work well with drum Brakes. Some older Mags are 'Unilug' that has a few different bolt pattens by simply changing the washer, The lug nuts & washers are still available. I have them on a few off my Hudson's...The only disadvantage is older Mag's arent clear coated but stay nice with Mothers or Wenyol Polish.
  • LHudson
    LHudson Expert Adviser
    I have been looking into this also. I have been looking into Crager mags. I don't see how the unilug system is going to work with the lug bolt system of the Hudson. Looks like the unilug system uses the lug stud and lug nut system. I have a question. The Jet in the Garlet museum, what mag wheels are on it? Thanks L Hud
  • PAULARGETYPE
    PAULARGETYPE Senior Contributor
    WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I HAD MAG WHEELS ON MY 57 HOLLYWOOD WHAT I DID WAS REMOVE MY BRAKE DRUMS ,INSTALL LONG GRADE 8 BOLTS THAT HAD BEEN PREDRILLED FROM THE REAR OF THE DRUM AND I WIRED THEM IN PLACE AFTER TIGHTNING THEM I THEN COULD PUT WHAT EVER WHEEL I WANTED I HAD A SET OF UNILUG WHEELS ON IT AT ONE TIME BUT AS I SAID THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO
  • Ol racer
    Ol racer Senior Contributor
    Paul's suggestion is a good method too. Ive inserted Studs with a thin nut on the Inner side of the Drum with Red Loctite. Ive also spot welded the stud to hub inside drum. Another I inserted just 3 Studs then drilled & put a set screw in the other two lug nuts. You could drill & tap all 5 Lug Nuts to use Unilug Washers but putting the wheel on would be difficult w/out any pilot. I have Unilugs on 3 Hudsons using the above methods.
  • LHudson
    LHudson Expert Adviser
    Ran across a set of mopar wheels at a swap meet last week end. I know they should bolt too the Hudson drums and would work on a stepdown. I want a set for the Jet. They looked too wide for the Jet. We have a set of the Mopar police wheels for the stepdown but would like a set like the Garlet (McCauley)Jet. Don't know what they are. Anyone know? L Hud
  • GrimGreaser
    GrimGreaser Senior Contributor
    Some Halibrands with knock-offs? Or maybe some Cragars? Too bad they're virtual... :)
  • LHudson
    LHudson Expert Adviser
    Does anyone recognize these mags. L Hud
  • Ducor Kid
    Ducor Kid Expert Adviser
    edited October 2013
    Cragar SS or Rocket mags are my best guess.
  • super651
    super651 Senior Contributor
    Solone Mc Cauley Built this Jet in the 60s-70s and raced at Green Valley Race way in Dallas Tx He used Magnum - 500 in 14 inch and 15 inch. They were the same as used on some Ford Mustangs and Mopars. I was racing my Jet at the same time so he would give me lots of help while I was building mine.
    I use the same ones on my 1946 Hudson that I I bought from Summit.
    Hope this helps. Rudy
  • superwasp912
    superwasp912 Member
    I stuck a set of Magnums on my SuperWasp till I can afford some SuperCushions. J.R.
  • LHudson
    LHudson Expert Adviser
    Thanks for the info. Rudy. I like the looks of that Jet. J.R. I would not be any hurry of putting others on the Wasp. I like it. L Hud
  • 54Hollywood
    54Hollywood Senior Contributor
    Following up on this thread, I have a few more questions. First, for those of you who have fitted mags using the standard Hudson drums, how did you deal with the dowel? Did you cut it off or are there Magnum or Cragers or some other make that will let you use the Hudson drum without altering it? I understand about installing studs from the inner part of the drum but what about the dowel?
    I'm also exploring the option of using my original wheels and maybe having them powder-coated. There's a shop around here that charges $75 per wheel for powder-coating. Is that a fair price or should I just have them sand blasted, primed and painted? Thanks for the advice. Still learning.

    Tim in WI
  • superwasp912
    superwasp912 Member
    I 'm thinkin,Supercushions WWW on stock wheels "fire engine red",chrome rings and a set of spiders=old school. The Magnums have conical seats so they don't care about nuts or studs and the spokes have a little space behind to hide the drum proboscis. J.R.
  • ratlee2
    ratlee2 Expert Adviser
    54Hollywood,
    I used dual bolt pattern wheels. The dowel pin fits into the 4 3/4" bolt pattern and the baby moon cap covers the bolts.

    Rich
  • 54Hollywood
    54Hollywood Senior Contributor
    Rich,
    I'm finding a lot of nice dual bolt pattern wheels at Summit. What would you recommend for backspace, offset and maximum width on your stepdown? Thanks for the info.

    Tim in WI.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories

In this Discussion