Hill-Engineering spacers: too small diameter for 355 wheels, rubber seal not covered! | FerrariChat

Hill-Engineering spacers: too small diameter for 355 wheels, rubber seal not covered!

Discussion in '348/355' started by johan6504, Jul 23, 2007.

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  1. johan6504

    johan6504 Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2005
    1,168
    Sweden
    Full Name:
    Johan
    Got my spacer-set from Hill-Engineering today and fitted them only to find out that they don’t cover the rubber seal on the 355 wheels. I am not sure I got the correct spacer, but made a search on the forum and read that some one else has had the same problem. The way the rubber seal is mounted I am not sure they will stay on the rim in high speed and the functionality of preventing corrosion of the magnesium wheels is lost, what should I do?
     
  2. lusso64

    lusso64 Formula 3

    Apr 12, 2004
    1,535
    Simi Valley
    Full Name:
    David
    Why don't you contact Paul Hill at Hill Engineering and ask him?
     
  3. johan6504

    johan6504 Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2005
    1,168
    Sweden
    Full Name:
    Johan
    I have contracted H-E too. But since there seem to be so much discussions about spacers I wanted to know if some one else had come to any conclusion about this specer/rubber question..
     
  4. 348paul

    348paul Formula 3

    Dec 27, 2002
    1,098
    Kent - UK
    Full Name:
    Paul Hill
    I'm just waiting for Gothspeed to chime in here - he will be along any second...

    We are looking into getting a new rubber seal manufactured as to make individual spacers model specific for the 355 would be not cost effective.

    I will send you a PM

    Paul
     
  5. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
    10,244
    U.S.A.
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    goth
    I had that same problem, I had to send them back. Those Hill spacers are a one size fits all diameter. The correct diameter to reach the 355 wheel rubber seal is about 6.25 inches. The Hill spacers are about 5.5 inches diameter. They may work adequately on other fcar wheels but I would not use them on the stock 355 magnesium wheels for the reasons you already stated.

    Here is a company that sells the correct diameter spacers for the stock rubber gasket 355 wheels. Good luck!

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ferrari-WHEEL-SPACERS-8-Cyl-355-308-328-348-430_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ42614QQihZ004QQitemZ140135061726QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V
     
  6. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
    10,244
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    goth
    :D
     
  7. bcwawright

    bcwawright F1 Veteran

    Jul 8, 2006
    5,234
    Georgia
    Full Name:
    Bruce
    Rubber donuts??? You really do not need them. Spray the mounting pad on the magnesium wheel with Gibbs Brand penetrant. Even with the rubber seal there is an accelerated corrosion process due to the magnesium contact with the cast iron rotors (inherent oxidation process). This penetrant stops it dead in its' tracks and if applied properly does not contaminate the brake pad/rotor contact area.
     
  8. johan6504

    johan6504 Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2005
    1,168
    Sweden
    Full Name:
    Johan
    Never heard of Gibbs Brand penetrant, dont think I can get it in Sweden or any were else in Europe. Any other brand selling similar product?
     
  9. Valence

    Valence Formula Junior

    Jan 20, 2004
    883
    Charlottesville, VA
    Full Name:
    Chris& Brian Coffing
    I think those ebay spacers look dangerous and I personally would never allow them on any car of mine.

    Double shear plane - 2 surfaces to slip - hub to spacer and spacer to hub - and the spacer looks polished too which is so bad.
     
  10. Valence

    Valence Formula Junior

    Jan 20, 2004
    883
    Charlottesville, VA
    Full Name:
    Chris& Brian Coffing
    I think those ebay spacers look dangerous and I personally would never allow them on any car of mine.

    Double shear plane - 2 surfaces to slip - hub to spacer and spacer to wheel - and the spacer looks polished too which is so bad.
     
  11. bcwawright

    bcwawright F1 Veteran

    Jul 8, 2006
    5,234
    Georgia
    Full Name:
    Bruce
    Not that I am aware of. This product was invented in the USA by a Harley Davidson owner. Those bike guys have their sh*t together...lol
     
  12. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
    10,244
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    goth

    Double shear plane...:confused: did you mean: hub to spacer and spacer to wheel??

    Great info Bruce!! :)
     
  13. Valence

    Valence Formula Junior

    Jan 20, 2004
    883
    Charlottesville, VA
    Full Name:
    Chris& Brian Coffing
    yes - spacer to wheel - I fixed my typo.
     
  14. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
    10,244
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    goth
    ;)..... Well they are the correct diameter, one can just 'skim' the surfaces on a lathe to remove the gloss. I think I may call them to make me a set and skip the polish step :).
     
  15. 348paul

    348paul Formula 3

    Dec 27, 2002
    1,098
    Kent - UK
    Full Name:
    Paul Hill
    These are now in production WS015-355

    Same as our WS015 spacers but approx 6 1/4" OD. (15mm thick)

    Just for the record - Our spacers are anodized to a specific process to help battle against corrosion - I would personally not recommend using a bare aluminum spacer.
     
  16. 348paul

    348paul Formula 3

    Dec 27, 2002
    1,098
    Kent - UK
    Full Name:
    Paul Hill
    Now I know how they manage to keep those mag alloy engine covers so nice an shiny!
     
  17. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
    10,244
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    goth
    not cost effective :(

    but I thought it was not cost effective to make them for the 355 :confused: ........ but I......???? Never mind I will take two :D ;) BTW.... do they come in Nero anodize??? :D :D ;)

    BTW can you make every other hole 1" diameter to battle weight :)??? These will have more material due to the larger/correct diameter ;)! This will also acomodate the factory rubber plugs already on the hub too!
     
  18. bcwawright

    bcwawright F1 Veteran

    Jul 8, 2006
    5,234
    Georgia
    Full Name:
    Bruce
    +1 on the anodized....this is how you do a first class aluminum spacer. Most of the AL spacers on the market skip(or should I say,"cut corners") this very important process.
     
  19. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Owner

    #19 Ricambi America, Jul 24, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Oz -

    I will carry the new 355 spacers when they are finished. The website has already been adjusted to allow the customer to select which particular WS015 is needed. We'll let folks know when the first batch arrives here in the U.S.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  20. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
    10,244
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    goth
    Excellent!!!......... Now my next question...... can I get the spacers only :)??

    BTW what about every other hole to be 1" diameter to reduce weight :D??
     

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