yenko chevelle wheels

[Rat_Pack]

Jeff H, thanks for the note on that wheel site. Good information for the novice. There are some statements that are incorrect about American and Fenton wheels on that site.

Not all American Torque Thrusts have the offset or size cast into the back of them but they all do say American Racing Equipment. I have not found any of the T70 wheels to say anything more than American Racing Equipment cast into the backs of them. Some of the T70 15 X 7 wheels do have Patent Pend cast into them after the ARE casting. Also I have never seen an original set of aluminum Torque Thrusts with the centers painted (except current TT-D's) as the article states in the "restoration" area. The finish was "as cast" and they even stated that in their ads. The May 68 issue of HRM the ad states "Prime Metal.....we are the largest producers of unpainted wheels in the world". The machined areas were exactly that, machined, but almost to a polished look. They did not have the deep machined grooves like the current wheels have where you can catch an edge with your fingernail. They were a lot smoother and were almost undetectible.

Some Fenton mags that look like the Torque Thrusts are exactly that. They used a Torque Thrust wheel to make their casting and the words Fenton Racing Equipment is cast into the back of the wheel. What is funny is that you can see where they removed the word American and cast their logo in there. This is most commonly found on their 15 x 9 (not 8-1/2" wide that is another difference) wheel. Where they changed the wheel was on the outer machined/polished lip. Besides adding a 1/2" to the width of the wheel, the "step up" where the machined surface meets the spokes is at a sharper angle than the American. Thus giving a deeper look to the wheel.

Sorry for the long post but I just wanted to relay some more information about the many differences of these wheels over the years...................RatPack............

[68l30]

Rat_Pak,How did ARE finish the rear side of the Torq Thrust? I have mine polished from the cast area where they are marked ARE out.Do you guy's clear coat your spokes and center non polished areas?I thought I would for ease of cleaning...

Steve

[Rat_Pack]

The machined area on the backs of the wheels are finished like the current Torque Thrust D's with a pronounced machine finish. If you clear the centers make sure you use something that does not turn yellow from heat. I think Eastwood offers something that will work. If you use anything else the clear will yellow after a few trips to the local cruise night maybe even quicker if you have disc brakes on the front. Also sometimes clear coating rough cast aluminum will darken the finish a little, not always though.

I leave my wheels unfinished just like they came originally. If you have them on a daily driver I can get you a mix formula that is very close to the original gold/gray tone of the aluminum that they used to cast those wheels in. I will email you a picture of a car that I finished this summer and we painted those ugly dark gray centers on the current Torque Thrust D's...............RatPack.....................

[Rat_Pack]

Stefano, never thought of using that. I wonder if you can tint that stuff. One thing is for sure, it should outlast the wheel............RatPack.................

Steve, did you get my email? Let me know if you didn't..............RatPack............

[Edited by Rat_Pack (01-30-2002 at 02:46 PM).]

[Belair62]

Based on discussions with some of knowledgeable wheel people I am reasonably sure you could get Torq Thrusts in natural as cast aluminum and gold or black painted spokes.Not sure of year but I will try and verify. Rat Pack I thought the gold hue was on the natural magnesium wheels. I used Aluma Blast on the re-pops and it looks very good.

[Stefano]

I love all the "POR" stuff and use it whenever I can. I use the chasis black on frame and suspension as opposed to powder coat for diver quality restos.

[whitetop]

Belair62, you are right. I have seen original ARE ads showing the wheels available in different colors but can't remember which color specifically. I think the wheels were initially only available in natural but later came out with different hues.
Dave

[68l30]

Rat_Pack,yes I did.You now have mail!I am after the natural look,but must be able to clean brake dust.This car will be driven,and driven hard.I would be afraid to put POR 15 on my rims even if it is just a little spot.If the color is not just right on the aluminum when dry,your stuck with it.


Steve

[Stefano]

Glass beeding works just fine to take off the manifold cast iron paint off alloy rims. It is not por 15, nor as durable.

[68l30]

Stefano,sorry.I know what your talking about now.I've seen the color on manifolds not a bad choice.I've seen it burn off on driven cars,but should be ok on low heat rims.

Steve