Cragar Super Trick wheels

[22rdstrguy]

Just wondering if anyone here has run the original 2 piece Cragar Super Trick wheels for the front, back in the day or maybe even still are? I had read on other sites that they would crack around the "flange" or around the bolt holes but that seems to be on heavier cars like Chevelles, Novas, etc. I picked up a set a of (4.50 - 4.75 X 15) little while ago and would like to run them.

 

[VegasBruce]

I haven't had ant experience with them, but with the other wheels we've run I don't think there would be a problem. They would look cool on the front, especially if you can find a set for the rear also.

 

[22rdstrguy]

I haven't had ant experience with them, but with the other wheels we've run I don't think there would be a problem. They would look cool on the front, especially if you can find a set for the rear also.

Thanks VegasBruce,a lot of the T buckets run skinny spoked wheels so I kind of figured that it wouldn't be a problem really as the car is going to be quite light especially on the front with just the aluminum 215 Buick motor I am planning to run. I was thinking of getting a set for the rear but I scored a set of slotted mags (kidney bean style) for the rear and they have about a 60% positive offset so I might get away without narrowing the Jag rear.

 

[Corley]

I've got a set of those that I picked up at a garage sale, one is cracked radially through the valve stem hole. I also got the matching rears, which are 10" X 15", and they are fine. I may use the rears, but with only one good front, I'll have to do something else there. The fronts had 165s on them, and they looked a little fat for the wheel, so you might consider 155s with those wheels. I don't know what these where on, but they definetely are only good for a lighter vehicle like the 'T'.
Question: What trans are you planning to run with the 215? I've got one ('63 Olds) and considerred adapting a Jayco OD automatic from something like a Nissan or Toyota pickup since both the Buick and Olds automatics used with that motor were such junk...

 

[Ted Brown]

I have found that any stock trans that came with a factory engine, in the heavy car they were designed for, a lot were not holding up well... But in a light weight T Bucket, they seem to work out just fine, unless you are a Heavy foot driver...

 

[VegasBruce]

I've got a set of those that I picked up at a garage sale, one is cracked radially through the valve stem hole.

You could check on having that wheel repaired, I've seen quite a few Centerlines welded in the past. The offroad guys bent, break, straighten and weld them, and abuse them more.

 

[22rdstrguy]

The fronts had 165s on them, and they looked a little fat for the wheel, so you might consider 155s with those wheels. I don't know what these where on, but they definetely are only good for a lighter vehicle like the 'T'.
Question: What trans are you planning to run with the 215? I've got one ('63 Olds) and considerred adapting a Jayco OD automatic from something like a Nissan or Toyota pickup since both the Buick and Olds automatics used with that motor were such junk...

I have found that any stock trans that came with a factory engine, in the heavy car they were designed for, a lot were not holding up well... But in a light weight T Bucket, they seem to work out just fine, unless you are a Heavy foot driver...

I have 165s on them now and probably going to stay with them due to the bigger footprint. I am considering a 200R4 or the 700R4. Although like Ted Brown said the stock trans maybe just fine for such a light car and may just use that until it fails because I want to get this on the road as soon as I can.

 

[Corley]

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but on the subject of the 215ci engine trans issue, the Olds trans has terrible gearing, shift is awful, and is pretty unreliable to boot. Probably, as you say, it would hold up in a 'T', no problem though. The Buick trans was a 2 speed with a terrible reputation for slipping and breaking, but again, as you point out, it would probably work out OK in a 'T'. The thing about the Jayco's I mentioned is that they are an OD trans, with pretty decent gearing, and good reliability. They are also pretty rugged in a small form factor, but then the Buick two speed is also small. (The Olds 3 speed is more the size of a turbo 350...) Just thinking outside the box a bit...

The one I have is a '63 Olds 215, that was running and driving when pulled about 20 years ago. Chances that the trans would work asis are pretty slim, and rebuilders don't seem to want to work on these, at least not judging by the prices quoted for a rebuild. In my case I guess it's all academic anyway, since I'm pretty settled on a Chevy 90 degree V6, and a powerglide that is sitting in the other corner, but the Aluminum Olds nags at me... I was going to use a Jag XJ6 engine/automatic, but decied it is just too heavy. Good grief, I can hardly even lift the starter for the thing! It's a beauty though...

Welding the Super Trick wheel: I considerred this, and then putting it in the lathe to give a skinning in that area to bring back the apearance. They are REALLY thin and light weight though... RE tire size, my front wheels are 3.5" wide, and on a reread I see yours are 4" wide, so the 165s probably look better on yours...