could someone give me some idea as to what you would usually do to switch your street tires with the correct 1971 wheel with closed tappered nuts and stock length studs and meet the nhra requirements of open nuts and long studs so as I can run slicks with centerline draglites? Do you have to drive out all the short studs when you arrive at the track and insert the longs. Or do people drive around with long studs on the street? Is this rule enforced at the strip? Dumb question but one I have been agonizing over for a couple weeks
I can't remember the requirements, but I know that Rick Henderson drives his Skylark with the long studs. How much do they need to extend past the end of the nut? I know on my ralleye's, with some aftermarket (but stock style) studs, they stick out beyond the nuts. The nuts are also the original style tapered nuts though too (NAPA stuff from the "bins"). I remember trying to put some Centerline's or Cragars on them before to try out a friend's tires, but with the nuts that went with those wheels, the stud was still a little down in the hole. You could drive them all out and swap them, but it's a lot of work! I've replaced all of mine in the rear and it's not too bad, but I wouldn't want to do them all every time at the track!
studs I've got the long ones on my GS. I believe the extended part passed the nut has to be equal the the width of the nut. It's not a swap and go deal once you press em in thier on to stay,unless you like bustin yer ass every time you go to the track. Heres what mine looks like. If I got the right pic:TU:
I guess the question is how can he run both the stock style closed end nuts on the street, yet still be legal after a wheel swap to centerline draglites? How much stud length do you need to be at least at the minimum needed with the centerlines? How much is the maximum you can have to be able to use the stock style nuts? If it's possible to do both with the same stud, you're in business. Another option would be to run the longer studs, but use a spacer for the stock rims for the street??? You may run into clearance problems depending on what size tire you're using though. If that's the case, then you could go with a custom wheel offset??? Those are all the options I can think of to have it both ways w/o swapping studs at the track.
I had a Camaro (years ago) and had the same problem, I wanted to run my stock rallyes with closed nuts, I ended up finding some extended length closed end nuts, looked pretty close to stock from 20' out or so. I've also seen guys chrome plate the open nuts then just run the closed ones down on top of them. Nothing is going to give you that exact stock look if your running extended studs.
Thanks very much for the input guys. I think the long studs used in conjunction with a spacer, and deeper nut may be the answer. I'll measure up and see. If not it looks like I'll just have to run open nuts on the sreet.
You cannot use a spacer with the long wheel studs. It is printed in the moroso wheel stud kit. I drive with both long wheel studs on front and back. these are safety reasons with weld wheels. I have seen others do it with the short studs but what is your life and car worth to you. stock steel wheels can use stock open lug nuts I think. get a nhra rule book and check to be correct. chris
Yes thanks for that Chris. I also see the warning printed on the moroso package. I have resigned myself to the fact that I will be running open nuts with both my wheel types and thats all there is to it.I did manage to find some long nuts so there won't be so much stud protruding from the wheel. It is the same type of problem that you have with all the strip rules. You want to go fast you play by the rules. Like having to roll bar at 11.99. If you want to maintain the stock appearance. don't run that fast. Anyway thanks again
Tom NHRA rulebook says "Wheel studs must be threaded into hex portion of lug nut a distance at least equal to the diameter of the stud". I run studs that are just long enough to meet that requirement and closed end lug nuts still fit fine. Open nuts are not required.
Wayne, Now thats the best news I've heard. IU looked through the rule book but did not come up with that information. Thanks very much. I will measure up and see if I can fit into that criteria.
