1966 C10 Wheel questions

[1966burb]

Do the original wheels on a 1966 C10 have 3 or 4 "nubs" to retain the small hubcaps?

[markeb01]

In my experience the original 1966 six lug drum brake wheels only came with 3 hubcap retaining bumps. I never saw a 4 bump/nub wheel until sometime in the 1970's, when most of the hubcaps were being produced from aluminum.

Earlier stainless or chrome plated steel hubcaps will still fit on the 4 bump wheels, but careful installation is prudent or the earlier caps can split at the bead. Inspection of the wheels will show on 3 bump wheels, all three bumps are identical. On 4 bump wheels there are two "regular" sized bumps and two smaller bumps. These offer stronger retention than the earlier wheels, but can also cause a marginal hubcap to tear at the edge.

[rideblue00]

Can the nubs be polished down a little? That was what i was going to try to do if i can find a set.

[markeb01]

If your question means - can the nubs on a 4 bump wheel be polished down a bit to make early hubcaps fit without damage, the answer is they really don't need it. Just take your time to align the irregularities in the hubcap with the best fit over the nubs and they'll work fine. Sometimes they can be pressed in place with heel of the hand pressure.

Always try to have one of the small nubs/bumps be the last one to snap the hubcap over. That way the hubcap doesn't have very far to stretch. Installing over both the small bumps and one big bump first, causes the cap to stretch further to get over the last big bump.

I've runs old caps on 4 bump disc brake wheels for years with no hubcap damage. I've also seen other people bash them in place with a rubber mallet and no finess and either split the edge or smash the face of the hubcaps on the first whack, then blame it on the wheels.