A parts question; I have a set factory aluminum wheels (the white ones) any ideas on where to get some center caps, I need all 4. Are there any that are the same or similar, that I paint or print decals to match the original?
Are you looking for the entire chrome pieces, or just the plastic red center? The chrome pieces are the same as the Mustang II's that had the slotted aluminum wheels. These are on eBay quite frequently, and you may even be able to find some in your local used wheel and hubcap store (if you have one near you), or a wrecking yard that stocks vehicles that are a bit older. If you get the chrome pieces, but want to change out the plastic center, flip it over, and using a large screwdriver, bend back three of the six tabs that hold in the metal backing plate. Then, using the plastic handle of the screwdriver, gently push the plastic piece from the outside into the chrome center cap. If it still will not move, try bending back a forth tab and try again. When you get the metal disc and the plastic piece out of the chrome piece, you may notice that the metal disc has a thin layer of cork on it. This is to protect the finish on the plastic piece because the finish is on the inside of the plastic piece. I recommend finding some thin cork at your local hobby/craft store to replace this, as the cork loses it's flexibility due to age and heat. Once the new cork has been glued to the metal disc and been allowed to dry, and you have picked the plastic centers you will use, you can start putting them together. Just place the plastic centers back in from the back, as well as the cork and metal disc, then gently bend the tabs back down. I say gently, but I had to put the chrome piece on the workbench, and put the tip of a large screwdriver against the tab, and tap it with a hammer.
On a side note, I learned on the Mustang II's that their wheelcovers have the same red plastic centers as the centercaps for the slotted wheels. The plastic red centers for the rallye steel styled wheels are the same size also. There is also someone remanufacturing the black "Cobra" plastic centers. One thing I have wondered is whether or not the black plastic center of the 'fancier' Pinto wheelcover (the ones that are painted body color) is the same diameter as well. I haven't taken any apart to find out.
To my knowledge, there are four different types of plastic inserts. The red starburst, the red Mustang horse, the red Pinto horse, and the black Cobra II.
The first picture is what I believe your wheel should look like. The second is a set of center caps for the steel styled wheels with the red Pinto centers. The third is one of the 'fancier' Pinto hubcaps that I was talking about. The fourth is a Cobra II center cap for the slotted aluminum wheels.
Thanks for the info. I will look at my wheels tonight and see what parts I need, the pictures are a big help thanks.
Thanks I definitely have the slotted aluminum that uses the the cobra style caps
Realize though, that if you want your car to be Pinto "correct", you should have the large chrome piece like the fourth picture in the above post, but the red centers with the pinto "kicking pony" like the second photo in the above post, or the red 'starburst' centers like the two photos below.
Thanks, I am looking for the kicking pony, preferably. Any ideas on a good place to start, other than Ebay? Not much luck there or at the salvage yards. May have to settle for the right part, but wrong decal and make my own decal