Gotti's installed (baby has new shoes)

Finally got around to installing the set of 5 spoke 16" Gotti's from my 308gtsi today. First put the 400 up on the hoist and pulled the metrics off. Then slipped the Gotti's on the front and checked the wheel bolt length as well as the back side clearance.

Had lots of clearance around the rear of the rim against the shocks and steering arms. The issue was the wheel bolts were a few mm's to long, not allowing the wheels to set tightly against the hub.

Quickly measured the distance between the wheel center and the hub with the wheel bolts tightened, 6mm. Went over to the computer and did a simple cad drawing of the needed wheel spacer with the proper bolt spacing and thickness. Transfered to the CNC center
and cranked out 2 6mm thick spacers for the front wheels. Installed the spacers and tightened the wheel bolts and all was perfect. I did take the extra step of putting blueing at the base of the bolt hole and on the beveled edge as well.. Then I ran the wheel bolts down torqued them with the wheel spacers and wheels in place. I then removed each bolt one at a time to see if there was any blueing on the end of the wheel bolt and to see how complete the blueing pattern was on the beveld edge mating to the wheel. Found we had clearance on the end of the wheel bolts and a perfect pattern around the bevel of the wheel and bolt, done deal.

Mounted up the rear wheels and found there was a 8mm gap. Repeated the process machining 2 8mm spacers for the rear wheels, did the blueing again and the pattern was perfect.

Took the car out for a road test ran it up to a quick 100mph for a short burst and the ride was totaly different than the antiquated metrics. Much less road noise, very straight tracking, and a vastly improved ride. I still need to do a 4 way aligment and rebalance the wheels and tires. I might have the tread trued if thers is much weight needed to balance.

I found that I was able to use the original wheel bolts by machining the simple spacers. I will post pictures as soon as I get a chance to clean the wheels and tires. These wheels make a nice addition to our cabriolet.

Howard Musolf
1981 308gtsi
1982 400i Cabriolet
1988 Lotus Esprit Turbo
2 many brass era cars.

p/s decided to have the metric wheels cleaned and refinished, then will give them to some of my car friends for hose hangers in their man caves.

 

Will wash and clean the car and wheels and post pictures this weekend. Gotta say those wheels are really good looking.

Howard Musolf
1981 308gtsi
1982 400i Cabriolet
1988 Lotus Esprit Turbo
2 many brass era cars