Modern Magnesium Halibrand Wheel Quality

[RodKnock]

Doug, I believe the wheels sold new for $765 per wheel for the fronts and $795 per wheel for the rears, when they were available from Halibrand.

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Doug, I believe the wheels sold new for $765 per wheel for the fronts and $795 per wheel for the rears, when they were available from Halibrand.

So M & A doesn't sell them, they just manufacture them?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

So M & A doesn't sell them, they just manufacture them?

I'm not 100% sure, but they have made wheels for Halibrand in the past, but I don't think they have made these specific wheels for the retail market. Although they do make and sell other mag wheels to consumers.

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Doug, I believe the wheels sold new for $765 per wheel for the fronts and $795 per wheel for the rears, when they were available from Halibrand.

So add in some decent tires like Avons and you're bumping up against $5k out the door. Wow! Good looks, originality and all, but???

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

So add in some decent tires like Avons and you're bumping up against $5k out the door. Wow! Good looks, originality and all, but???

Well, if you're trying to make a more accurate replica...

Agreed, it's a ton of money.

[xracerbob]

The patterns are owned by Halibrand. M&A wants to make a run of 100 fronts and 100 rears minimum. If you want to buy a set of the patterns, you can also make them, albeit probably in the same minimum quantities. Halibrand does not have the $$ to lay out for a production run, which is why they have a waiting list which I have been on for 2 years.

[RodKnock]

Well, I sent an email to Karen at Halibrand last Wednesday and I got an email back from Richard at Halibrand today that says that they hope to start a production run on them later this year. I suppose, anything is possible, but given the current economy, I have my doubts.

I'm just curious if the manufacturing process in 2009 will produce better mag wheels than 5 or 10 years ago.

[ERA Chas]

Anyone know if the newer 'miracle' alloy magnesium (not the whole wheel, the raw magnesium) comes from offshore? Xracer, do you have any info on that? I would think if they are made with more alloys added to the mag, they would be heavier. If it's a'purer' grade of mag then not.

Rod,
Really now only takes less than a half hour to do all four wheels with PB and M.Buffer. And you can do it every 2 months with no problem or loss of shine.

[xracerbob]

Regarding the quality of wheels made today and from "back in the day", I believe the magnesium alloy is slightly different and a touch heavier than the early days. I met Ted (owner of M&A) when I was racing the Indy Lights cars that he had the exclusive rights to produce the wheels for. He is a very nice guy and has been in the magnesium casting business a long time. I think they do use pressure when casting now, not just pouringinto the mold which helps eliminate voids, leaks, etc.

If you've ever been to a magnesium foundry, they are not real pretty places. They are in one of two categories: One that has burned down or one that will burn down. As such, not a lot of investment into the facilities other than what is necessary to get the job done. I have been to M&A in Pinconning MI and it is as good as it gets in that business. Where they are really good is the machining side. Their wheels were great on the racecar and could take a good whack, (see pic in my gallery) easy to balance.

I just wish he would market the cobra style wheel himself, but I'm sure he wants to protect the relationship with his customer Halibrand.

[RodKnock]

Bob, do you know how long Halibrand has been an M&A customer? Put another way, how long has M&A been making the Cobra II wheels for Halibrand?

[xracerbob]

That I don't know for sure but he was doing them when I was racing the Indy Lights cars from '91-'96. It may have been much longer than that.

[ERA Chas]

Warren,
About 5 years ago I sent mine to a polisher where the centers were fine oxide blasted and the machined rims were repolished. When I got them back, I used Duplicolor clear to coat the centers only to preserve the original soft gold/green. Due to brake heat the centers turned dark gray again under the clear. The clear is still intact.
Do you know of an effective coating for Mg?

[cobra]

ERA Chas

If I remember right DOW have some coating. (I like this light yellow color)

http://www.dow.com/oxysolvents/app/coatings.htm

The FIA have a material list for Magnesium alloys.

http://www.fia.com/resources/documen...als_a_2004.pdf

I found the link of the FIA page on the Vintage Engineering site

http://vintageeng.com/

Good luck

[ERA Chas]

Thank you Walter for a long-distance reply! How is George's stroker in that beautiful ERA?

[cobra]

Chas

Thank you for the flowers.
George built for me a wonderful engine that make a lot of fun to drive on Swiss mountain roads.
Unfortunately since November we have about 30°F and the car must sleep in the garage. (excuse my bad English)

[WarrenG]

The book I have recommends an acrylic or vinyl acrylic coating baked on for maximum adhesion for aluminum and magnesium. It states that most instances of oxidation after coating have been due to failure of the coating (sometimes pinholes not readily visible to the eye) that allow oxidation of the metal beneath the coating. If the magnesium is changing color due to brake heat, I'm not sure what (if anything other than cooling air) would stop that.

[razerwire]

Lots of reading but you asked. Go to www.roadsters.com/wheels. Then go down to topic ( care of magnesium wheels ) at bottom of topic click on Gibbs Brand.

[ERA Chas]

Yeah-but you may meet the giant's sympathetic, lonely, lovely wife...