Most readers will know of Wheelsmith, purveyors of steel wheels, aluminum artillery wheels, wires, and even their new range of big-inch billet wheels that look like steelies, in various styles. The company, however, also manufactures steel wheels for land speed racing.
SCTA rules dictate that wheel centers on steel wheels have to be welded for the full 360-degree area where the center touches the rim, or the total area where they meet on steel wheels with windows, a la ’40 Ford, rather than just plug welded. Fully welded wheels are not recommended for street use though, as if a crack appears, it will travel the full circumference of the wheel in short order. We should mention these same wheels are more than adequate for street use if they’re not fully welded though, and indeed that’s how they’re usually manufactured!
With calculations based on final overdrive ratio, differential ratio, engine rpm, and targeted top speed, a 30-inch-tall tire in the rear was required for this application, which in turn meant a 16-inch wheel diameter to allow for the best options when it came to rubber choice. We settled on 16x6 rears and 15x4.5 fronts.
Pulling the selected rim sizes from their inventory, Wheelsmith machined the centers for a perfect fit before pressing them into the rims and welding the two pieces together. They also installed the tabs for Moon discs, as they have the necessary jigs in-house. Mooneyes have the jigs too, should you wish to weld your own tabs in place. Wheelsmith offers a powdercoating service on their wheels as well, though these wheels were supplied raw and later painted.
[1] Just part of Wheelsmith’s...
[1] Just part of Wheelsmith’s vast on-site inventory of rims, hoops, or whatever you want to call them!
[2] The centers for wheels...
[2] The centers for wheels were trued on a lathe, both at the perimeter …
[3] … and at the mounting...
[3] … and at the mounting surface. The machined areas (arrow), ensuring the wheels will mount perfectly true against the rotor hats.
[4] This massive press is...
[4] This massive press is used to press the centers into the outer rims, while remaining absolutely perpendicular to them.
[5] A straightedge and steel...
[5] A straightedge and steel rule are used to ensure the backspacing is correct, even after setting the press accordingly. Note the “production line” of wheels awaiting welding in the background.
[6] Prior to welding, each...
[6] Prior to welding, each wheel is checked using two dial gauges (there’s another on the other side of the wheel) to ensure they’re within tolerance.
[7] Although with this particular...
[7] Although with this particular design the center touches the rim through 360 degrees, usually they’d be welded in four sections, somewhat like so …
[8] … but wheels intended...
[8] … but wheels intended for use within SCTA rules are required to be welded 360 degrees, as shown. These should not be used on the street, because if a stress crack should start, it will travel around the circumference because of the continuous weld.
[9] Wheelsmith is well versed...
[9] Wheelsmith is well versed in manufacturing wheels for lakes racing, and even have their own jigs for the installation of Moon disc tabs. Such jigs are regular discs with sections cut away, allowing access to weld the tabs to the rim. These are available from Mooneyes. Here the tabs have had their corners radiused for better fitment, and are attached to the jig. With the jig placed on the wheel, the tabs can be welded in place.
[10] Wheelsmith is well versed...
[10] Wheelsmith is well versed in manufacturing wheels for lakes racing, and even have their own jigs for the installation of Moon disc tabs. Such jigs are regular discs with sections cut away, allowing access to weld the tabs to the rim. These are available from Mooneyes. Here the tabs have had their corners radiused for better fitment, and are attached to the jig. With the jig placed on the wheel, the tabs can be welded in place.
[11] The finished, painted...
[11] The finished, painted wheel, mounted using long 1/2-inch studs and 1-inch-diameter lug nuts, as per the SCTA rulebook, ready for the Moon disc to be attached.
[12] We sourced this correct...
[12] We sourced this correct Dzus fastener installation and removal tool from Speedway Motors, our days of using a penny for this now over!