Originally Posted by DeadheadNM (Post 8582625)

See this thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=575539

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM (Post 8582814)

Oops. You are right. I’ve never seen that component missing and haven’t a clue as to how to reattach one. Maybe I’m wrong but something looks different about the finish on that wheel - this and the black color on the hub make me think it’s been painted and therefore possibly repaired.

Originally Posted by special-K (Post 8582886)

These wheels were used in Vans through '78. It could be they changed molds or it's a different jobber at some point post-72

Originally Posted by special-K (Post 8582886)

These wheels were used in Vans through '78. It could be they changed molds or it's a different jobber at some point post-72

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69 (Post 8583046)

It appears to me that the later (van?) wheels had a somewhat different grain on the rim portion of the wheel. The grain on my original appears "finer"/ sharper than the later wheels. Has anyone else noticed this? Is it just difference in wear? Here are closeups of mine which was covered most of its life.

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69 (Post 8583046)

It appears to me that the later (van?) wheels had a somewhat different grain on the rim portion of the wheel. The grain on my original appears "finer"/ sharper than the later wheels. Has anyone else noticed this? Is it just difference in wear? Here are closeups of mine which was covered most of its life.

Originally Posted by randy500 (Post 8584694)

Deadhead, thanks for posting that, i have noticed it too but never thought much about it being actually different grain. I see now it is

Tony, i looked at a few cracked wheels i have here, the piece that your missing seems to not come off, its glued or molded in. Wonder why its MIA

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69 (Post 8584341)

My wheel (part # 97497530) is the original from the factory unless the dealer had some reason to change it in the months between production and when I bought the truck new in 1969. I put a leather cover on the wheel about 1972 when the truck had less than 25,000 miles. I removed the cover in 2010 at 118,713 miles when I started the restoration. I have looked at the grain many times and wondered what it would look like worn to a level similar to the "good" ones we normally see. Perhaps it would look the same as the others. Obviously, as mentioned above, more than one grain type could have been used with the same part number, but why would mine be unique other than it has very little wear?

That said, I have a spare tilt I rescued from a van that has the part #335212 wheel. I don't recall the year that the van was, but it must have been early 70s since the tilt has a metal gear indicator housing, a truck type indicator lens (both supposedly used only on truck tilts) and a curved wiring connector. That wheel has a pattern similar to what we normally see. I have another wheel which I believe came from my junkyard truck tilt that I will have access to in a couple days. I'll check the part number and post it here.

EDIT: Here's a link to a wheel sold here that both Tony and Pete responded to. It looks to me that my wheel might display this pattern if worn. It also may look like Tony's in post 2.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=706730

And a discussion Pete and I had in 2013 that involved part # 335212.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=575539

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402 (Post 8584993)

If there are two different grains, I'm not so sure it's as simple as "69-72" grain Vs "later van" grain. Might be a 69-70 grain Vs later grain, just guessing here.

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69 (Post 8585027)

Maybe.... only The General knows for sure!

Originally Posted by Spartan (Post 8585071)

This is nos grain afaik. Not black but I thought I'd post for data points.
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Originally Posted by FirstOwner69 (Post 8585075)

Thanks for your input. Mine appears closer to new than I thought. Too bad it has a few small cracks.

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM (Post 8585175)

Sounds like a keeper then. Any idea why there is paint on both sides of the metal plate?

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69 (Post 8584341)

.....I have another wheel which I believe came from my junkyard truck tilt that I will have access to in a couple days. I'll check the part number and post it here.

Originally Posted by randy500 (Post 8584694)

.....Tony, i looked at a few cracked wheels i have here, the piece that your missing seems to not come off, its glued or molded in. Wonder why its MIA

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69 (Post 8585396)

Part number is also 9749753



I agree. This other wheel has a major crack (about 1/4" wide) at the top of the hub. I tried to pry it apart with no luck. That dust shield seems molded in. There is zero grain left on the rim. Tony, if you want this wheel for practice, it's yours!

Jim

Originally Posted by randy500 (Post 8584695)

Factory service manual explains correcting steering wheel flaws, scratches etc, i believe it says wipe with acetone (which dissolves the plastic) then polish it. I saw it recently in a 72 gm car service manual that covers corvettes, camaro, etc,

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402 (Post 8585436)

... Nice gesture, thanks Jim, but unless that steering wheel is toast I can't do it. You might be surprised what these are going for now, check Ebay, I think there's one available. Imagine that, 69-72 wheels are now rare. I see some trying to sell complete junk for 200ish. Course they're worth $1, but WTH. Just guessing here, but I feel I can sell my old one for $150+, with cracks and major grain loss. Otherwise I'd pull its shield....

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69 (Post 8585606)

I've seen those prices, but with the hub crack and 6 smaller cracks, I think it's beyond repair and not worth the hassle of selling it. Besides, it was on my true truck tilt column when I found it in the junkyard. I paid a total of $50 for the column and wheel. I think I came out pretty well. Here are some pics. The offer still stands if you change your mind.

Jim

Originally Posted by Spartan (Post 8586703)

I'm going to try my hand at recasting a couple wheels. Mainly because I'm stuck on the odd ball 69 colors.
I have a couple old pieces and figure ill make the mold with an nos wheel then break all the plastic off the donor and see if I can get it to work.
This thread got me thinking that shield was maybe glued in afterwards.maybe a two part deal. Ill probably sacrifice the dark green first. The hope is that the color in the center of the plastic is accurate. Anyways...
It's threads like this that inform me and guide forward momentum. Thanks guys!
Of course being armed with information just makes me more dangerous. Lol
Cheers!
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Originally Posted by BigBird05 (Post 8588046)

I believe the process was to place the dust cap over the plastic studs on the wheel then hot melt (stake) those studs tight. The process might be called sonic welding.

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402 (Post 8585436)

I forgot to mention, I think I read you can tell part 335212 by the hub, which is missing the 5/16" threaded holes, at least. I believe they all have the later grain. All my wheels have the 9749753 imprint. The # doesn't come up in the parts book, but the replacement (335212) does.

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69 (Post 8584341)

....I have a spare tilt I rescued from a van that has the part #335212 wheel. I don't recall the year that the van was, but it must have been early 70s since the tilt has a metal gear indicator housing, a truck type indicator lens (both supposedly used only on truck tilts) and a curved wiring connector. That wheel has a pattern similar to what we normally see on van wheels.