What kind of wheel do I have?

[scazz]

Hello, new to the group here, what great resource for Aeronca information! I've been a 7AC owner for 5 years and love the airplane.

I need some help. I lost a bearing dust cover. I'm looking at options for proper repair. One thread set on the wheel are broken out and another is stripped reason for losing the cover. A&P said we could use some hard puddy to build up the broken thread set, drill, then tap it. I'd like to check into replacing the outter half, but I cannot identify the wheel. The serial/part number sticker is half way torn. It is different than the other side - which clearly is a Cleveland DMB.

Can someone help identify this wheel? Here are 2 pictures.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/T7 ... directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uz ... directlink

Thanks in advance

Brent McCasland

[Mnflyer]

Hi Brent, looks like a Cleveland wheel to me. You can find them on e bay from time to time, the Piper Colts Pacers and TriPacers used a similar wheel (different model number and higher wt rating) but will slip right on.
Welcome to the Aeronca group.

[joea]

Agree and its not a Goodyear. Aeronca's of this vintage usually had either Goodyear or Cleveland main wheels.

[scazz]

Here is a picture of my other wheel. It is clearly stamped a Cleveland.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/E0 ... directlink

The one in question doesn't look anything like this.

Thanks, I'll keep my eyes open on ebay.

[Nathan K. Hammond]

Brent, don't worry, they are both Cleveland wheels. The one in question appears to be an early model actually made by Shinn, before being bought out by Cleveland. The fix is easy; drill and tap the 3 extra nodes cast into the wheel half and get a new dust cover from Univair or WagAero.

nkh

[scazz]

Thanks Nathan, I saw the nodes and wondered about doing that, but then thought surely not. I'll proceed down that path as well.

You guys are good!

Thanks

[Roger Anderson]

My Goodyear wheels on my Chief have several sets of additional holes around the wheel where the wheel hubcap's 3 screws screw on. Guess through the years, each set of holes had been stripped out finally. I drilled and tapped the last set. I just make sure I don't over tighten them now...and don't let anyone else do it for me. Like you, I lost a hubcap before I got around to drillng new holes.

[Nathan K. Hammond]

By the way, welcome to the forum Brent! You've got a nice looking Champ.

nkh