Spring clips on 66 - 70 center caps

[RivNut]

I'm off on a wild tangent getting ready to put some 71 and later Buick rally wheels on my Roadmaster wagon.  The wheels have a 2 inch center hole in them.  I can force the caps I have onto the wheels but they are really tight.  I uncrewed and took the spring clip off the cap to measure it.  There are so many different angles on those clips, I have no idea where to measure the diameter of the clip to see what size hole it's designed to fit.  Can someone tell me where I should measure the diameter of the clip, or in lieu of that, how tight are those caps on the Wheel?  Any play in them and how tight do they fit?  

 

Thanks,

Ed

[1965rivgs]

Ed,

  The hole in the `66 wheel is 2 and 1/8th. Are you saying you fit those retainers in a 2 inch center hole? The tighter the fit, the better...but I think the 2 inch center caps with the tri-shield logo might be more appropriately badged and look better than the cone cap, just an opinion..

  Tom

[RivNut]

Is this more toward your way of thinking?

 

I still have to repaint the webs so don't pay attention to the dirt.  The pits in the bead are hidden by a trim ring. And I e done nothing to bring g out the shine on the rest of the chrome.

Edited September 9, 2017 by RivNut (see edit history)

[EmTee]

Ed, cars has 2" center clips that you can install on the center caps: http://www.oldbuickparts.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_341_374&products_id=6891

 

I also like these tri-shield emblems, they'd look good on your wagon: http://www.oldbuickparts.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_341_374&products_id=7357

 

I also have a set of these on my road wheels; pricey, but beautiful and will never rust: http://www.oldbuickparts.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_341_374&products_id=7035

 

I had a couple of caps that were making noise, so the last time I installed them I placed a dollop of silicone on the flat part of the clip adjacent to the fingers where the wheel interfaces.  So far, no squeaks or rattles... 

[RivNut]

I'm betting that CARS gets them from Mitch Romanowski.  www.buickcenters.com  Rich's are exact reproductions.  He has all of the caps, centers, etc for all years 65 - 78 as well as pieces to fix what may be broken or missing.

Those are for the caps that go with the 71 and later rally wheels but I want to use the cones.  You can see in the one picture how they reflect off the rims

 

I already have 16 of them, the other four are locks.

Edited September 10, 2017 by RivNut (see edit history)