Problems with EMPI wheels over top line front disc conversion?

[Carl Fisher]

I did a front disc conversion on my restoration '79 and it's been sitting on stock steel for a while. I went to put the new Empi wheels on the other day and found that they don't fit over the flange on the disc rotor at the hub. They won't seat all the way down to the rotor as expected.

Is this a common issue? I'm guessing I'll have to find a machine shop and have the flange turned down a little bit to allow them to seat rather than adapting the wheels to fit or I wouldn't be able to rotate the tires long term.

Most of the rotor kits are from Ghia's as I understand it so does that mean that the Beetle and Ghia wheels are not interchangeable or did Empi mess up.

I can get some pictures tonight if it helps clarify.

[ps2375]

Is the center hole on wheel the issue? I wouldn't think it to be the Ghia brakes as the issue, as my car has OG Ghia discs up front and has had them on since the 70's and no issues that I know of from that time (but the car has only had 1 set of alloy wheels on it other than stock steelies) from that time.

I would measure the hole on wheels and the hub diameters to see where the issue is and compare to the steel wheels. This wouldn't be the first time Empi "screwed the pooch".

[Carl Fisher]

I haven't had a chance to get back to it yet but plan to get some measurements when I can get some time.

Yeah, the center hub opening of the wheel won't fit over the flange on the rotor.

[Carl Fisher]

To follow up on this since I finally had a chance to look at it.

The part of the hub that the wheel needs to fit over is 3.125". The through hole of the rim is only 3".

Looking at the stock steel wheels, 3.125" seems to be pretty legit so I'm thinking the Empi wheels are the problem here (big surprise?)

So the question becomes, do I have the inside of the wheel turned to fit over the hub or do I have the hub shaved down to fit so that I can properly rotate all 4 rims. Unfortunately I bought these wheels so long ago (2 years?) and have never tried to put them on until now so I don't think I have any recourse with the seller (CIP1 iirc)

[Jrm1080]

So what did you finally figure out, Carl?
I have a set of Empi (or Empi knock off) 8 spokes that I took off my ‘74 beetle drums that I’m hoping will fit the ghia hub/spindle that I installed with my disc upgrade. Just curious, Did you measure the diameter of the old hub to see how it compares to the new?
_________________
-Constant over thinker
-Figuring it out as I go. (With lots of Samba inquiries)

•’67 Type I mostly original semi daily driver (temperature permitting 🔥☀️)
•’74 Type I work in progress.

[jeffrey8164]

I have a 70 Ghia. Many years ago I replaced the calipers with new ones. I remember them being slightly different than stock but I am certain that they are the same calipers that came with disc brake kits of the day. This was 94 and I worked at Fisher Buggies at the time. When I replaced the stock wheels with Riviera style wheels the inner face of the wheel rubbed on the little nub of the caliper where the piston is. I had to grind a little groove into the backside of the rims to clear it. They weren’t EMPI wheels. I always want to say they were American Racing but that’s not right.
Anyway, just goes to show that when you step out of the stock box you open Pandora’s box.