1969 Buick Electra Convertible Rims ..Retrofit to Buick Rally Rims...What’s the Correct Size?

[ctc72961]

<o:p> </o:p>

Currently my 1969 Buick Electra Convertible has the stock 15’ rims and hubcaps. I would like to install the Buick Rally Rims. Ive been told that the 15” 5-5 bolt rims from later model Buicks from the 80’s & 90’s will work on my ’69 Buick Electra...

<o:p> </o:p>

can anyone with experience in this matter verify this information or can anyone tell me specific year(s) and Models from other Buicks that might work, Thank you in advance

[JohnD1956]

Do you have drum brakes or disc? If Disc, you need the rims for the disc brakes. If drums most any of the rims will fit your car. In the back of the rim there is a register ring on the center of the spoke area. This ring is different sizes for different years. In all cases the ring can be and may have been already removed. However, if you find a set of rims with the ring you should id them and not remove the ring if possible.

If you have disc brakes and are in the market for a set of these rims, please let me know. I have a set for the disc brakes and I would probably let them go.

[ctc72961]

John, thanks for the reply.. I have drum brakes all the way around the car. I'm going to be removing the rims tomorrow so that I can mount a new set of tires on my existing rims until such time that I can locate a good set of rally rims. I was hoping to have located a nice set of Rally rims so that I can only do this once....but no luck

I will look to see if the "ring" is still in place on my existing rims I am assuming the register ring will provide me with information that will help me identify the correct rim, for example "Bolt Pattern" Im under the impression I need 5 on 5 pattern for my Electra

Do you have drum brakes or disc? If Disc, you need the rims for the disc brakes. If drums most any of the rims will fit your car. In the back of the rim there is a register ring on the center of the spoke area. This ring is different sizes for different years. In all cases the ring can be and may have been already removed. However, if you find a set of rims with the ring you should id them and not remove the ring if possible.

If you have disc brakes and are in the market for a set of these rims, please let me know. I have a set for the disc brakes and I would probably let them go.

[JohnD1956]

The register ring is on the rallye wheels, not your steel rims. The 5 on 5 is what you need, and is standard mounting from way back on all full sized rear drive Buicks. The hole in the center of the rim is where the problems lie.

The hole in the center is sized for your vehicles hub. When installed ,that hole in the center rides on a small protrusion of the hub. The lugnuts hold the wheel tight against the drum but the center of the steel wheel should ride on the hub.

On the rallye wheels this "register ring" simulates the hole in the center of your steel wheel. However, according to a chart I saw, from 72 to the end of the rally wheels, the register ring was eliminated, so the later rallye rims have no register ring.

Back in the day some people would just chop out the register rings so they could use any set of rallyes on any car. Considering the last version of this rim came that way to start with, it appears it is an acceptible practice. The lug nuts will still hold the rim against the drum. But I'm thinking a nice set of rims with the register ring are harder to find and if someone had a set, they might seriously impact the value of the ralley wheels if they removed the register rings.

[ctc72961]

John thanks very much now I understand, best regards, carl

The register ring is on the rallye wheels, not your steel rims. The 5 on 5 is what you need, and is standard mounting from way back on all full sized rear drive Buicks. The hole in the center of the rim is where the problems lie.

The hole in the center is sized for your vehicles hub. When installed ,that hole in the center rides on a small protrusion of the hub. The lugnuts hold the wheel tight against the drum but the center of the steel wheel should ride on the hub.

On the rallye wheels this "register ring" simulates the hole in the center of your steel wheel. However, according to a chart I saw, from 72 to the end of the rally wheels, the register ring was eliminated, so the later rallye rims have no register ring.

Back in the day some people would just chop out the register rings so they could use any set of rallyes on any car. Considering the last version of this rim came that way to start with, it appears it is an acceptible practice. The lug nuts will still hold the rim against the drum. But I'm thinking a nice set of rims with the register ring are harder to find and if someone had a set, they might seriously impact the value of the ralley wheels if they removed the register rings.

[alfmo]

Hi, I just joined 5 minutes ago. I realize this is an old thread but I'm looking for rally wheels for 69 electra conv with front disc and rear drums.

[NTX5467]

Looks kind of like Buick discontinued use of the "register ring" about the same time that Chrysler went to all rh-thread lug nuts?

As I understand it, with no register ring, then it's up to each individual lug nut and stud to initially center the wheel on the drum/hub/disc as they are tightened down. To me, this would mean that one should FIRST gently snug the lug nuts down, one by one in sequence, before going full-tilt with the tightening implement of choice (to max torque specs, of course), to ensure the wheel is duly centered on the hub/drum/disc. With the lug nuts having a particular taper on them, which matches the taper on the wheel stud hole on the wheel (unless it's an aftermarket wheel which uses a different lug nut/washer arrangement), it all works pretty well. I don't recall seeing register rings on the insides of the Magnum500s which Chysler and Ford used for so many years . . . or did I miss something?

NTX5467