I would break down the old tires and clean the wheel's at the bead really good. I've used a scotchbrite on a die grinder to clean up the bead and smooth off where the screws were. I don't see any reason why those holes would cause a problem Many running wheels with the holes and no screws.

FWIW my street car has drilled wheels on it from the old days. I switched it to a drag radial years and years ago and they hold air just fine. I don't glue them either, they typically move maybe 1.5-2" after initial install and a couple of hits. It aint fast but has been high 9's on pump swill this way.

I drilled and tapped the existing holes for 5/16-18 and used black oxide, low head, allen cap screws 3/4" long.

Had to trim them down to a little less than 1/4" thread length. It looks better than open holes to me.

quote:

Originally posted by Al Alguire:
FWIW my street car has drilled wheels on it from the old days. I switched it to a drag radial years and years ago and they hold air just fine. I don't glue them either, they typically move maybe 1.5-2" after initial install and a couple of hits. It aint fast but has been high 9's on pump swill this way.

On my cars I swap the tires side to side for the first two weeks when they are new. They move a little bit each way, but usually after 10 passes or so they never move again. I mark them so I can see. Fast car moves up to 2 inches, slow car barely moves at all. After that it is every 25 or so passes, helps them wear more even and last longer. Regular bias ply slicks.

Now, some of these new radial tires can't be swapped side to side, they have to be dismounted to swap them. That makes it a big hassle, not worth it to me to deal with.