"Halibrand Cobra II wheels in......MAGNESIUM

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

It was a $3000 dollar option on the Corvette in 1998, so the price seems right on with inflation and all...

Fran is not GM and cannot negotiate the same deal as large multi-national corporation. And Fran would only produce 25 sets of wheels and that is a very small production run. Lastly, the wheel manufacturer needs to make a new mold, front and rear, since they no longer have or no longer can use Halibrand's old molds.

[joyridin']

Originally Posted by 601HP

From where I sit, IMO:
a. Locating enough buyers @ $4K+ per set IS an issue. I jumped ship over a year ago because of price.
b. Getting them made IS an issue that is driven by (a.), and other factors.

David

Isn't that what I said?

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

I know. Let's ask Fran to switch over to the idea of making up some sunbursts instead of the Halibrands. That ought to be simple. And no doubt lots of people will pop for the deposit right away. Uh, we haven't been down this road before, right?

Oh Ned, you are a very bad man! (wagging finger)

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Fran is not GM and cannot negotiate the same deal as large multi-national corporation. And Fran would only produce 25 sets of wheels and that is a very small production run. Lastly, the wheel manufacturer needs to make a new mold, front and rear, since they no longer have or no longer can use Halibrand's old molds.

So I guess your not getting any wheels then, end of discussion.

[Tutosnake]

I understand how risky this Cobra business really is. As a newbie, lots of things have started to become clear to me. This is a big Club, yet the hobby is a small one. Therefore the market share or target audience is limited. To make money in this business is really hard.
Having said that, the person who wants to make a living out of doing business with such a small audience has to IMO take some big risks from time to time. It's inevitable. It's the nature of the beast. The whole idea of "let's see who puts money in my hand for a product that is yet to materialize and then take the risk of a faulty/incorrect end item and all the consequences/pains to remedy that, including losing the money" is to me too insensible. It is true Mr. Fran (I do not know him) is not GM or Halibrand or whatever, but if I were him and had some resources, I would produce the wheels and then offer them for sale. I for one would have much less problem/anxiety with buying a real/finished product for whatever the amount (it will be expensive regardless, and deservedly so). Plus, if sales were slow on this forum, I am sure more than one e-tailer would by his wheels. "If you build it, they will come". I might be completely wrong on all this BUT the only way I would consider paying $$$$ for the wheel is if I can see/touch one... BTW I just got my car a few months ago and already am working on buying a full set of FIA repros with tires as a second option/backup for my 427... But would have bought the mags if available.
Hector

[brettco]

I've had two babies since the first go-around on these wheels and gave up after the first. Ill find some one day. I picked aluminum when we made mine a roller- oops!

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

So I guess your not getting any wheels then, end of discussion.

Yep, that's the running joke around here. So pretty much.

I'll continue to watch eBay and other forums for a set of mags, but getting a set of Halibrand mags is just immediately below getting a SOHC engine on the List of Unobtainium for my Kirkham.

[rodneym]

Rodknock,
If your wanting mags that bad, you can come over and clean mine.
I received them clean. Been about 3 months and they don't look so hot.
Some of the coating on the inside rim was peeling so I had them blasted and I 'PreKoted' them. Now I'm waiting for a warm enough day to coat them. Maybe this Sunday.
Then mount BB's.
Then my life will be complete.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Rodknock,
If your wanting mags that bad, you can come over and clean mine.
I received them clean. Been about 3 months and they don't look so hot.
Some of the coating on the inside rim was peeling so I had them blasted and I 'PreKoted' them. Now I'm waiting for a warm enough day to coat them.

Didn't I casually mention this (about 8000 times) in past??
What is 'PreKote' my friend? Gotta be careful what you use on them...

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Didn't I casually mention this (about 8000 times) in past??
What is 'PreKote' my friend? Gotta be careful what you use on them...

As Maxwell Smart used to say, "...Aaaaaand, loving it".
Hey, it's all cool, it's cool. I'm just sayin.

Prekote is a 'safe' surface prep, a chromate substitute, mostly for painting ally planes and also for magnesium. It's 'environmentally friendly' and tastes pretty darn good after the third helping. Supposedly it has great adhesion qualities. Considering the epoxy flaked off, I figured I give this stuff a shot. If not, I'll give them to Rodknock (just to pizz off Patrickt). I coated the inside rim and they look as fresh as the day I had them blasted. I'll get them nice and toasty in the mid day sun and slap on a couple coats of aircraft enamel.

If anyone has a better idea on a coating, please chime in.
BTW, I was advised "no Plastisol" by the bead blaster. He's an old timer with lots of midget and dry lake/salt racer experience (when Hali's were EVERYWHERE). What was on there was epoxy and it didn't do so good. Maybe it's all in the prep.
Anything available over the counter?

[ERA Chas]

Pal.
There's 2 ways I'd do it. Either blast and Nuvite only, or blast and a steady diet of Gibbs Brand Penetrant. I loved the Nuvite and less intensive than any 'polish'.
Was liking the Gibbs but never got the chance because a crazy guy gave me money for the whole car.

NO enamels, powders or anything that closes the mag pores. They'll just rot underneath it. (Why the epoxy [shudder] flaked off.)

[rodneym]

I think we're misunderstanding each other.
The face of the wheel is powdercoated in the center and the rim is now looking like it needs a shine. For that I'll use Gibbs and steel wool.

I was referring to the part of the rim that needs air sealing. There has to be a way to coat the mag. And I think any type of paint (enamel, polyester, urethane, epoxy, etc) is better than none, as long as the the surface was clean and dry right before application of 'prekote', as well as application of the paint.

I'll make sure the application is good before I mount but the proof won't come till after and see the rate at which they leak

[ERA Chas]

Now I got ya.
Although I used steel wool many times in the past to bring them back from the dead, I've read cautions about that-the wool fibers get into the pores of mag and cause corrosion. Dunno for sure but that's what I've seen.
When I got them very clean, I switched to the white scuff pads that Nuvite sells. They work excellently and are effective. No more steel wool if you keep after them but it's not punishing.
Gibbs looks very good to keep them 'natural metal', as opposed to high polish.
The inner bands I've seen done in zinc chromate or catalyzed epoxy-like Imron. Mine were done that way.

[rodneym]

Chas,
Are you saying that the zinc chromate process is enough, all by itself?

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Chas,
Are you saying that the zinc chromate process is enough, all by itself?

I've seen mags with zinc chromate in the bead area, used on vintage race cars. I do not know how they hold up over time or solve the air loss. They were treated that way on several of the race cars my buddy owned. I assume that was effective or he would not have had that.
Also remember your wheels may hold air just fine. I had three that were perfect and one I believe was a wheel air leak.
The real problem is the BB's-they leak from brand new and get worse. You can't always tell if it's the wheel or BB.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by rodneym

If not, I'll give them to Rodknock (just to pizz off Patrickt).

Ooh, I like this idea. I mean the part where we piss of Patrick.

Trigos sound good right about now (as Chas shakes his head in agreement and mutters under his breath, "I told you so.").

[RodKnock]

So, Fran called me today. He told me he will be going ahead with production. He told me that he has some owners of original 427 cars that want a set. He said he has about 1/2 of the production run reserved. The wheels will be gold and the valve stem will be in the original location.

Price? $1,200/wheel. Call Fran, if you want a set or have any questions, just don't ask me, because I have trouble tying my shoes. Fran's # is (412)441-5750.

Of course, I'm skeptical. But he sounded like he had determination in voice this time, like the wheels being produced were fait accompli.

EDIT: Chas, don't give me a hard time. I'm already depressed.

[patrickt]

Uhhh, are you going to crowbar in to that wallet of yours and get a set?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Uhhh, are you going to crowbar in to that wallet of yours and get a set?

You're a "funghi."

What do you think?

[RodKnock]

Oh, and he wants rodneym to call him, if he wants a set too.