Finally found one... My 57 356 A

[Phil Parry]

Hi Gill
Just re-read your thread. What's with 'Dowty' seals? Is this a modern make? Love the car by the way.
Cheers
Phil

[roy mawbey]

Phil and Gill,

I noticed Gill's comments regarding Dowty as well. When I was involved selling machine tools I sold machines to Dowty in the West country. They made hydraulic spool and valves for the aircraft industry. Precise items indeed. I seem to remember they had some offshoot companies into seal manufacture made of special materials neoprene? It's a well known company in aerospace or was when I was still working.

Mabe Gill can advise.

Roy

[Adrian3]

the typical Dowty seal is a metal ring with an integral polymer seal standing slightly proud of the faces of the metal, and is normally used where a copper washer would be used, although i daresay Dowty make/made a range of types

[roy mawbey]

Thankyou Adrian for the info.

Roy

[vwgillybilly]

Indeed Dowty seals are as described. A metal washer with a rubber seal in the internal side.

Basically they offer a 100% seal with about 1/3 the torque of a copper washer!

I can source & supply for free if required?

Gill

[vwgillybilly]

I've just finished my wheels.

It took me an age to find a paint match but I think I got it reasonably right?

All blasted, new clips fitted, etch primed, primed, painted, new valves & finally re-fitted the tires!

Gill

[roy mawbey]

Gill,

Nice job on the wheels, I presume you painted them, rather than had them powder coated?

Powder coating is fine except the crevices on the wheel where the rim meets the flat surface is the difficult area for powder to get into. I had mine blasted an powder coated but that crevice is not as perfect as I wanted. I believe there are some procedures the sprayer can adopt to help that process?

Roy

[Phil Parry]

Looking lovely Gill. Mine were done recently. Coated and then painted! Nuts probably.

I'd love to try a set of those Dowty seals for my zenith carbs if I may. Happy to pay.

Cheers
Phil

[aircool]

Dear vwgillybilly

Like your wheels! My Brazilians are just getting a little rusty and would like to follow your example..... may I have the spec?

My car below:



Note the retained US rear lights. Some will not approve, but I like.

Yours

Aircool

[KEVFITZ]

Hi Aircool,

Cheap and effective option: bought set of 4 replica 5.5 x15 silver steels for my 356 from Midland wheel supply for 165 pounds for the set.Wheels balanced up well and fill out arches nice.
Will see how they stand up to winter driving.

Oe wheels into storage for resto over winter


Regards
KEVFITZ

[vwgillybilly]

Thanks for comments people.

I matched the paint up on the original paint spare & the paint shop I use had some aerosol wheel spray that matched well.

I couldn't actually give you any specifications for the paint! They had 10 cans left so I bought them all & used 7!

Phil if you pm me your address I'll stick some in an envelope & send them next week - no cost.

Cheers.

Gill

[aircool]

Hi Aircool,

Cheap and effective option: bought set of 4 replica 5.5 x15 silver steels for my 356 from Midland wheel supply for 165 pounds for the set.Wheels balanced up well and fill out arches nice.
Will see how they stand up to winter driving.

Oe wheels into storage for resto over winter


Regards
KEVFITZ

That's good thinking Kev. I will investigate further - need to get the wheel tyre match right though. Not sure I would able to get mine repainted with spraycans to the excellent finish that vwgillybilly has achieved. Yours, A

[vwgillybilly]

It wasn't hard at all to be honest.

The paint was really forgiving. I got the garage nice & warm with a space heater, did the insides first then the outsides the following day. They ended up with about 6 coats each.

Total cost...

Blasting £50

Tyre removal, refitting & balancing £50

New clips £13

Paint & primer £70

Total = £183 + about 6 hours time.

Gill

[louis356]

If you ever decide to change that front badge for the correct one I'll buy it off you!

[vwgillybilly]

If you ever decide to change that front badge for the correct one I'll buy it off you!

Noted!

Please explain why it's wrong? Apart from it was initially fitted in a wonky fashion!

Cheers.

Gill