Eight-Spoke American Mag Wheels Valve Stem Question

[Steven43]

I have a set of 8-spoke American magnesium wheels that I have owned since the '80s. I used to run them on my red Tiger that I sold to Jere T. in the '90s (I kept the wheels). If I get my Tiger restored in time for TU '22, I was hoping to put the mags on the car for the car show. (I would never run them in the Autocross, as I did in the '80s--the wheels are too old, too rare.) The problem I'm having is finding the correct valve-stem for the front wheels. The valve stem protrudes through the polished part of the rim at a weird angle. On the rear wheels, the valve-stem comes through the center, in a more traditional manner. As I've stated in other posts, my Sunbeam memory is fading. I had these wheels on in the '80s. but I don't recall what valve-stem I used. I bought the wheels used, and I'm not sure they even came off of a Tiger.

FYI, I also have a set of American Racing Equipment aluminum wheels that look similar to the mags. So if you see me running these in the Autocross, they're aluminum, not mag.

Thanks for any help,
Steven Alcala

 

[KenF]

I run tubes in my AR mags . Not sure the porous magnesium would hold air, maybe it would. As you say the front valve stem hole is weird, although the hole on mine seem to be in a slightly different location than yours.

 

[Warren]

I think I recall that they use a heavy two part epoxy to deal with the porosity of early LAT and other wheels. I recall that we had a member in Burbank that was a British and other wheel specialist.

 

[Theorangetiger]

Steven,

I went through that when getting new tires for those wheels back in the '80s. The tire shop looked all over for a special stem that would work but didn't find anything that looked right. Eventually they just tried a regular all rubber stem and it worked fine.

Out of curiosity how long after polishing did you take those photos? That stuff practically oxidizes before your eyes. I'm curious now if a clear coat would prevent that.

 

[michael-king]

I run tubes in my AR mags . Not sure the porous magnesium would hold air, maybe it would. As you say the front valve stem hole is weird, although the hole on mine seem to be in a slightly different location than yours.

View attachment 15182

Ken,
Think was discussed when you first got your car, but you can seal the Inside of the rims with an epoxy to stop them slow leaking. I used to have tubes on my alpine when it had wire wheels... When they puncture.. They go down in an alarming way... Im not a fan of tubes.

 

[Austin Healer]

I think I would opt for a rubber stem... as for tubes in wire wheels... all, new, Dunlop wheels supplied by MWS are sealed for use w/o tubes. You can easily retrofit older wheels for this by sealing the spoke ends with silicone... which is how MWS does it now...

However, and this is a big however... I have yet to see a car come into my shop in 40 years that doesn't have severe wear to both the wheels and splined hubs... I think that in 40 years I might have had one, maybe 2 cars that the wheels and splines were safe enough to use.... Best to buy new hubs and new wheels when dealing with wire wheeled cars... not something Tiger owners need to worry about!!

You cannot buy new wheel and use the old hubs.. you will destroy the new wheel in very short order... yes, it's expensive.. so's destroying a new set of wheels because you were cheap!

 

[Steven43]

I made it to TU, installed the eight spoke mags Sat. night and drove three miles to the car show Sunday. I had a vintage tire and wheel guy look at the mags and he said use innertubes, and of course I had him install just valve stems. (He said they might work.) Made it back from the show OK. And yes , I used two-stage epoxy primer on the wheels and will cover the bare polished mags with white grease and store them in trash bags till the next show!
Steven Alcala

 

[Steven43]

8 spoke Americans, or I should say American Racing Equipment-Magnesium (ARE-M)
I have liked the look of these for over 40 years . Maybe its that Ken Miles mystery-50 thing. I don't know why I call them 8 spoke Americans. Like every thing else I will just blame that on Dan W., Anyway after TU, Buck was kind enough to let examine his set of ARE-M wheels, I think they came off his AF car.(?) As I said before , I don't think my wheel cam off a Tiger, at least not the fronts. I think Buck's are the real deal, and I think these fronts are super rare.
Steven Alcala

 

[Steven43]

More Photos, My Mags vs Buck's

 

[Steven43]

Photos