Frank, I don't know, Jimmy got them and they came with the car. They are bonded, and I always use riveted, maybe that's the difference. Or could it be that we are not used to looking at new brakes. (Just a joke there son.) I figured people would ask about the studs. Duane
They are actually only about 1/2" longer then standard studs. The lug nuts on the car were only holding the Hurst wheels on with about 3/8" to 1/2" of thread, and that's how they were running the car. Even with the special longer shank Hurst Lug nuts I have, they only added another 1/8" of thread. That scared the hell out of me, so I went to meet with some of the original Hurst Engineers at one of the Carlisle events. One of the Engineers was actually part of the team that developed the wheels, and the guys pulled out some of the factory catalogues. Even though they did not have one there for 1969, the catalogues listed either different lug nuts or studs for the A-body Buicks. They all agreed that the factory length studs were not long enough for the wheels, so Nick was able to find some that worked and install them. The Hurst lug nuts are very tall and will take the extra stud length, so now I have plenty of thread. Duane
I see, oh...I absolutely noticed the studs, I just figured it was something to do with the Hurst wheels. It's weird though, because I was a teen in the late 60's, had a GTO, spent a LOT of time at several speed shops, the racetrack, etc., and don't ever remember hearing about special studs for the Hurst wheels. We had a ton of musclecars in my area, nobody was really buying those wheels. It was all Cragars, Keystones and slotted aluminums (Rockets, Ansen, etc.). One other thing that surprises me is all the Pontiacs at Baldwin. As far as I know, the "hot" Pontiac tuner guy in the NYC area was a guy named Nunzi, who had a shop in Brooklyn, I think. He was the one that always seemed to be popping up in the car magazine articles for GTO's and 'birds. The brakes? I don't know, they just looked beefy to me. I noticed they were bonded. I figured I'd ask, and maybe learn something new!
Yeah the wheels on the car are the earlier style webbed wheels which have a hub thickness of 5/8", and would have worked fine with the cars of the day with the long shank lug nuts. The problem is they are made of un-obtanium. The later wheel hubs (non-webbed) were only 3/8" thick. I don't know when the change took place or why, but they probably would have worked just fine on the 69 car but that is not what I had. The lugs I have are the shorter shank version and may be reproduction, I don't know. The catalogues listed several different part numbers for lugs etc. depending on the year etc. Either way the engineers said I needed longer studs with the wheels and the lugs I had, so it was done. Duane
More pics from today. Nick has the front fender sub assemblies all together, and the body mount insulators are going in. Duane
Looks like the motor is going back together. You can see the valve job was done on the heads, and the pockets were cleaned up. Duane
Beautiful. Cant wait to see this car done. The blue with white stripes with the Hurst wheels is going to be outstanding.
Thanks Jim, Nick was doing some more work on the engine today. He has the roller rockers on to test the differences between them and the standard rockers when he runs the engine. Duane
Nick has the motor all back together and it's ready to run again. Today was wheel day. He masked everything off, primered and then painted them. The last pic shows the polished spoke faces. Can't wait to see them done. Duane
Duane I always thought the Hurst wheels were just another “Cragar” look-a-like. But looking at the close-up pics from the paint booth, they really are different!! They look great!! I can’t wait to see them on the finished car, but I’m sure I’m not quite as anxious as you and Nick. Awesome job!!
Phillip, Yeah, We were hoping to polish the entire hubs but that was not possible. Only the spoke faces will be polished, which was the way these wheels were when new, so that will be fine. Nick is getting the red-line tires mounted today, then the centers with new decals and the trim rings go on. The trim rings are high polished chrome. They cover the steel rim and wheel weights (for a clean look) and fit around and past the spokes so the steel rims will look like they are chromed. You will see what I mean when they are complete. Hurst called these wheels "The Dazzlers" and I think that is a fitting name. Besides being rare they are a PITA to find parts for, work with, find lug nuts for etc., but I think when they are all done everything will be forgiven. Duane
Duane , Was the gas tank vent tube “builders choice “? Thought they were added in ‘70. The 68/69’s we’ve seen only had the hoses . I don’t recall your build date . Thanks
DL, I don't know but will check into that. This is a "9D" Oshawa (GMAD) car, so it is pretty early. Just checked the assembly manual and they show a restrictor, basically just a piece of foam, being put in the larger hose to stop the fuel from surging out. Nick has and drives 69 cars, maybe he does this to prevent fuel from leaking, I will ask him. Duane
That is the way my original 48K 69GS400 was and is, just a piece of foam in the larger hose. Please post the differences in the HP difference between the stock and roller rocker, I was going to change my originals to roller, but was not sure it was worth any HP. Thanks Bill.
Bill, I will see what info I get from Nick and let you know. I know Rollers are recommended with the cam we are using but they were not required. DL, Nick says he puts the vent tube on to stop the gas surges. I guess it's cheap insurance, and no body can see it once the car's on the ground. Good catch, I'm still learning about 69 cars. Duane
Here are a couple of pics of the wheels on the car. They are not completely assembled yet, but were put on the car for the shots. Enjoy. Duane
Cant wait to see it with uncapped headers and a big pair of slicks with the front tires about 6” off the ground!!! Lol
Another something that started going together today. The table is starting to look empty!!!!! Duane PS. When James Weinman saw the picture of the wheels on the car he said it looked like I was building a Hot Wheel.
