Alloy wheel valves?

[vxah]

Anyone know which valves are best to use with the Lotus alloy wheels?
I ask because they seem to have a very thick casting for the valve stem to pass through and i don't think
standard rubber valves will stretch that far and be "properly" fitted?
I was thinking of using screw in metal valves but again not sure if the threads will be long enough?
That and the fact that there is very little room to the side of the hole for a nut and washer!
I did find out that the wheels i have are not actually original "Lotus" ones but are in fact an early set
of Paul Matty replica wheels so, maybe they differ from oe?

Any thoughts welcome!

Also has anyone run vacuum advance on a twincam? I have fitted up some vacuum ports and piped it to
my Aldon Amethyst unit, just not quite sure how much to dial in?

Julian.

[denicholls2]

As the physics of the valve installation keeps the valve in place when the tire is inflated, this is a non-concern after the tire is inflated. The valve inserts from the rear and the stop is large enough to keep it from popping through, one would hope. If the notched portion of the stem is not deep enough to make it through to the outside, there's no harm done other than possibly a weaker seal to start the inflation process.

Still, I doubt the manufacturer would design a product that didn't work with standard valve sizes, because I've never heard of longer groove sizes. Or stems should have been supplied.

I have put a couple of stems through from the front side when I didn't want to remove the tire, and don't recommend the experience. But if you try this, you'll find that the bulb will either pop into place or it won't, and there won't be any in-between. The thing you use to poke it through needs to be blunt enough to avoid damaging the stem. But if you tear the stem, you'll know when you go to inflate the tire.

[vxah]

The wheels have no tyres on yet so fitting the valve from the correct side is not an issue.
I test fitted a standard rubber valve and i just don't like it because i have to stretch the stem so much through the rim that i worry it might try to pop back through or probably worse, tear in half leading to sudden deflation at speed!
As you may know the valve has a bulb on the end to stop it pulling through then, further along the stem there is a ridge that you "pop" through the rim and that keeps the valve in place. My rims are so thick that in order to get the ridge to "pop" through i have to stretch the stem a lot, a worrying lot! I am thinking there may be a type of valve with the ridge further up specially for thicker rim flanges?

[rgh0]

I would take the wheels to a good quality "old school" tire supply place and ask what they recommend. If there is a racing tire supplier near you try them as they generally know all the issues and tricks. The average tire fitter at your local cheap place will probably have no idea.

cheers
Rohan

[Certified Lotus]

This is the valve stem I use for aluminum wheels. Had them on my track Exige S and never had a problem with all the wheels & tires I had. Finding them can be difficult. I got mine thru Sector 111 but it took months and I had to buy a quantity of them.

[vxah]

Thanks Glen, had a fiddle about yesterday and i have got to use bolt in valves by the look of it.
Most of them have a step up in the thread size where they go through the rim and this bit is hardly long enough to get a nut on properly but, i did find some that i think will do the job ok.

Julian.

[Chancer]

The average tire fitter at your local cheap place will probably have no idea.

cheers
Rohan

True as that is they are quite resourcefull especially if they have screwed up, stripped a Wheel stud or something if the Customer is not looking.

If you were to turn your back for 10 seconds they would whip out a Cordless drill and the problem you have been agonising over would become (to them t least) a non problem

[alan.barker]

if they are Lotus alloys,
just a small detail you should be fitting inner tubes check to see if they have the safety bead
Alan

[vxah]

Thats just the thought i had, they are made for inner tubes! Who make tyres for inner tubes now though?
Pretty sure they have a "bump" for the bead, i will have another look!