late 1800 (E) hubs and stub axle on a 1966 Amazon

jakobandhismakarov · Jan 15th, 2007, 00:53

Hello,

Like a thick sod I bought those late P1800 alloys well aware of the PCD difference.

At the moment I'm investigating ways of fitting them once they're restored. Dai at Classic Swede told me of a rather complicated conversion (axle) that would be involved in order to get everything on.

Apart from hub adaptors (investigating some that an American company are selling), would a late '1800 hub and stub axle slot on? Is caliper \ drum clearance workable etc?

All the P1800s I've seen fitted with these wheels have silver rims with a black main body - are these trims or are they polished up?

Aside from that, does a '66 Amazon have a towing eye before I have to jury rig some way of towing it back to my friend's?

BillKat · Jan 15th, 2007, 08:11

Can't the hubs just be re-drilled to the new PCD? Common thing in hot rodding. E.g. the hubs on my Victor were changed from Vauxhall 4-stud and US Ford, to Chevy/Jag 5-stud PCD. Various places can do it, whereabouts are you.

jakobandhismakarov · Jan 15th, 2007, 12:46

I'm based in Manchester BillKat.

TBH I'm a bit confused as to how redrilling the hub PCD down by 2.5mm can be done without stressing the hub. Physically there wouldn't be the space either, surely, for the new stud holes to locate.

Literally I need to drop from 114.3 / 114.5 mm to 112 mm (thanks for the correct PCD Dai), and without stressing the original hubs which'll be old anyway, the only solutions I can see are a complete axle swap, a possible hub \ stub axle swap, or hub adaptors.

If you can put me on to anyone in the Manchester area who's confident they can redrill some 41 year old hubs without completely wrecking them, I'd be grateful for their details.

Not meaning to sound arrogant or dismissive BillKat, I might just be being thick.

BillKat · Jan 15th, 2007, 13:13

What would happen in this case I think, is the studs will be re-located, and the original holes plugged with weld. Re age, my Victor has now had over 10 years on re-PCD'd hubs and thousands of miles inc drag strip with a Rover V8. It's rear hubs were at least similar vintage poss even 50s (9" Ford axle).

Folks who do this include Andy Robinson Race Cars, Hauser Racing, Chris Isaacs (robinson-race-cars.co.uk, hauserracing.com, chris-isaacs.com), there'll be others, those are just the ones I know of.

Another possibility depending on the wheel design and if numbers of studs are the same, perhaps the wheels could be slightly "unilugged" i.e. drilled/milled since it's only 2.5mm or so difference. Unilug wheels are common with much bigger slots, e.g. a Ford/Jag/Chevy unilug wheel with a PCD of 4.5" to 4.75". If the design of the wheels allows that (enough meat around the stud holes), and nos of studs is the same, that'd prob be the easiest route.

Pigeon · Jan 15th, 2007, 14:44

...and the Amazon does not have a towing eye but you can easily enough put a rope round the front crossmember. Do not be tempted to tie it round the track rod

jakobandhismakarov · Jan 15th, 2007, 15:09

'Tis okay Pigeon.

My friend adjusted the clutch arms so that the car was briefly driveable (no need to tow it, the clutch was getting replaced and it wasn't going far) - enough to get it to his house.

BillKat, thanks for clarifying but I need a lower cost option than that, and for the car to be off the road for a minimal amount of time. How much would I be looking at for that sort of thing?

I might sell the alloys back on the 'bay.

BillKat · Jan 15th, 2007, 15:35

Not sure of cost but it's not bad, lots of rodders do it because they want custom wheels which are nearly always on a US PCD. Mine were already done, by Andy Robinson who isn't cheap but has a rock solid reputation. Best give one of those co's a phone call. Milling/drilling the wheels would be cheap & quick if the wheels are suitable.

mike gilbert · Jan 15th, 2007, 18:41

I'd ditch the E wheels idea, especially if cost is an issue. The other option, apart from altering your wheels is to get later axles but its a big job to swap over 1800E/ES axles onto an Amazon or S. Plus you will then need to buy brake calipers etc as the E has discs all round and you can't fit drums on the back axle. Also those wheels look nothing without the rim embelishers you have referred to. These vary between very expensive and not available at all, plus they are flimsy things and scuff/dent very easily. You'll never park near a kerb again. Is it worth the grief?

jakobandhismakarov · Jan 15th, 2007, 20:13

Probably not Mike,

They'll be back on the 'bay soon. Anyone here interested? They need a rub down and 4 of the five tyres are legal.

amazon69 · Jan 15th, 2007, 20:21

Will they fit an amazon?

Sorry.
I'll get my coat.

Jan 15th, 2007, 00:53	#1
jakobandhismakarov Master Member Last Online: Mar 24th, 2024 21:35 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Peterborough	late 1800 (E) hubs and stub axle on a 1966 Amazon Hello, Like a thick sod I bought those late P1800 alloys well aware of the PCD difference. At the moment I'm investigating ways of fitting them once they're restored. Dai at Classic Swede told me of a rather complicated conversion (axle) that would be involved in order to get everything on. Apart from hub adaptors (investigating some that an American company are selling), would a late '1800 hub and stub axle slot on? Is caliper \ drum clearance workable etc? All the P1800s I've seen fitted with these wheels have silver rims with a black main body - are these trims or are they polished up? Aside from that, does a '66 Amazon have a towing eye before I have to jury rig some way of towing it back to my friend's? __________________ Sinderland Road through Dunham Town - The interesting way home.

Jan 15th, 2007, 12:46	#3
jakobandhismakarov Master Member Last Online: Mar 24th, 2024 21:35 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Peterborough	I'm based in Manchester BillKat. TBH I'm a bit confused as to how redrilling the hub PCD down by 2.5mm can be done without stressing the hub. Physically there wouldn't be the space either, surely, for the new stud holes to locate. Literally I need to drop from 114.3 / 114.5 mm to 112 mm (thanks for the correct PCD Dai), and without stressing the original hubs which'll be old anyway, the only solutions I can see are a complete axle swap, a possible hub \ stub axle swap, or hub adaptors. If you can put me on to anyone in the Manchester area who's confident they can redrill some 41 year old hubs without completely wrecking them, I'd be grateful for their details. Not meaning to sound arrogant or dismissive BillKat, I might just be being thick. __________________ Sinderland Road through Dunham Town - The interesting way home.

Jan 15th, 2007, 14:44	#5
Pigeon Volvo-loving biker Last Online: Feb 3rd, 2019 05:24 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: All alone in the crazy city	...and the Amazon does not have a towing eye but you can easily enough put a rope round the front crossmember. Do not be tempted to tie it round the track rod __________________ Pigeon's Nest Be kind to pigeons

Jan 15th, 2007, 15:09	#6
jakobandhismakarov Master Member Last Online: Mar 24th, 2024 21:35 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Peterborough	'Tis okay Pigeon. My friend adjusted the clutch arms so that the car was briefly driveable (no need to tow it, the clutch was getting replaced and it wasn't going far) - enough to get it to his house. BillKat, thanks for clarifying but I need a lower cost option than that, and for the car to be off the road for a minimal amount of time. How much would I be looking at for that sort of thing? I might sell the alloys back on the 'bay. __________________ Sinderland Road through Dunham Town - The interesting way home.

Jan 15th, 2007, 20:13	#9
jakobandhismakarov Master Member Last Online: Mar 24th, 2024 21:35 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Peterborough	Probably not Mike, They'll be back on the 'bay soon. Anyone here interested? They need a rub down and 4 of the five tyres are legal. __________________ Sinderland Road through Dunham Town - The interesting way home.

Jan 15th, 2007, 08:11	#2
BillKat Senior Member Last Online: Aug 16th, 2023 21:45 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cambs	Can't the hubs just be re-drilled to the new PCD? Common thing in hot rodding. E.g. the hubs on my Victor were changed from Vauxhall 4-stud and US Ford, to Chevy/Jag 5-stud PCD. Various places can do it, whereabouts are you.

Jan 15th, 2007, 13:13	#4
BillKat Senior Member Last Online: Aug 16th, 2023 21:45 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cambs	What would happen in this case I think, is the studs will be re-located, and the original holes plugged with weld. Re age, my Victor has now had over 10 years on re-PCD'd hubs and thousands of miles inc drag strip with a Rover V8. It's rear hubs were at least similar vintage poss even 50s (9" Ford axle). Folks who do this include Andy Robinson Race Cars, Hauser Racing, Chris Isaacs (robinson-race-cars.co.uk, hauserracing.com, chris-isaacs.com), there'll be others, those are just the ones I know of. Another possibility depending on the wheel design and if numbers of studs are the same, perhaps the wheels could be slightly "unilugged" i.e. drilled/milled since it's only 2.5mm or so difference. Unilug wheels are common with much bigger slots, e.g. a Ford/Jag/Chevy unilug wheel with a PCD of 4.5" to 4.75". If the design of the wheels allows that (enough meat around the stud holes), and nos of studs is the same, that'd prob be the easiest route.

Jan 15th, 2007, 15:35	#7
BillKat Senior Member Last Online: Aug 16th, 2023 21:45 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cambs	Not sure of cost but it's not bad, lots of rodders do it because they want custom wheels which are nearly always on a US PCD. Mine were already done, by Andy Robinson who isn't cheap but has a rock solid reputation. Best give one of those co's a phone call. Milling/drilling the wheels would be cheap & quick if the wheels are suitable.

Jan 15th, 2007, 18:41	#8
mike gilbert Master Member Last Online: Today 18:57 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Peterborough View Photos By: mike gilbert	I'd ditch the E wheels idea, especially if cost is an issue. The other option, apart from altering your wheels is to get later axles but its a big job to swap over 1800E/ES axles onto an Amazon or S. Plus you will then need to buy brake calipers etc as the E has discs all round and you can't fit drums on the back axle. Also those wheels look nothing without the rim embelishers you have referred to. These vary between very expensive and not available at all, plus they are flimsy things and scuff/dent very easily. You'll never park near a kerb again. Is it worth the grief?

Jan 15th, 2007, 20:21	#10
amazon69 Premier Member Last Online: Today 16:22 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Falmouth	Will they fit an amazon? Sorry. I'll get my coat. __________________ Falmouth, Cornwall. 1970 California white 131.

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