This may be an easy answer to those that have tread this ground before but here goes: Friday, I bought 1970 ribbed wheel center caps from Cars. I got them home and assembled them. When I put them on my Wheel Vintique wheels, they are too loose. They would rattle and likely fly off if I dared drive it with them. My black-center, smooth later model center caps are sufficiently tight and work just fine. What have people done to get them to snug up. I've already tried bending them but they don't seem to bend well and I suspect I'll break them before I get sufficient positive engagement.
Greg, My Wheel Vintiques seem to have larger center holes. Maybe due to reconditioning the center sections & rechroming? My Stocktons were tighter. I haven't lost one yet, but they are original spring retainers. Great meeting & chatting with you this weekend!
OK, the real secret is 1/8" of washers. I put the first locking bar on and it was mostly tight but would still rock back and forth. I put the equivalent height of washer on the other two screws and they click on solid and don't rattle. I may put the other half of the locks on next time I take the wheels off. For now, this is sufficient.
Well, the washers worked and all of the repro 70 center caps are now tight and take a considerable effort to remove. Unfortunately, when trying to put the 71 3-piece center caps in the Wheel Vintiques, they are also loose and the washers aren't fixing it this time. I may have to get longer screws to accommodate more washers. Oddly enough, the newer style black center caps were just fine in the Wheel Vintiques. As we all know, Repro is close but no cigar!
