Blue Dot Alignment

[67#0083]

I'm about to mount Blue Dots on my '65. Does it matter where the actual dot is aligned with the valve stem? I've heard the dot needs to be directly above the valve stem because it was a "quick and easy indicator for race teams to locate the valve stem." That sounds a little bit over the top to me. Thanks!

[Brant]

It does not really matter.

Looking at original pictures, I have seen the Blue Dots lined up with the valve stems, and I have seen them not lined up.

If you are having them mounted though, I would personally line them up. No reason, other than it cool and is no problem to do so.

[Bob Gaines]

I'm about to mount Blue Dots on my '65. Does it matter where the actual dot is aligned with the valve stem? I've heard the dot needs to be directly above the valve stem because it was a "quick and easy indicator for race teams to locate the valve stem." That sounds a little bit over the top to me. Thanks!

It is over the top.There is not any evidence to support a particular orientation. It is a esthetic personal choice that does not hurt..

[67#0083]

Great- thank you guys!

[98SVT - was 06GT]

New tires have a dots on them to guide mounting. They weren't that sophisticated in the 60s.

The yellow dots identify where a tire weighs the least — the lightest point on a tire. The yellow dot should be lined up and directly next to the valve stem, which is the wheel's heaviest point.

The red dots identify where the tire is flattest — the lowest point on a tire. The red dot should be directly across from the highest point of the wheel, which is usually indicated by a colored dot or a notch on the wheel.

If a tire has a yellow and red dot, the red dot takes precedence when balancing the tire.

No blue dot guidance............

[gt350shelb]

one owner car here with all 4 alined back in the day  / dont forget  the goodyear script wheel weights

[hertzdonut]

Wow! I've never heard about this before.

[Bob Gaines]

Wow! I've never heard about this before.

FYI enthusiast's do similar tire/valve stem alignment with Bluestreaks on 66 ,Speedways and polyglas blackwalls on 67/68 and Goodyear no size on 69/70. 

[Bob Gaines]

And yes some Polyglas blackwalls were used in 69/70 too.

[csxsfm]

Have had my Cobra and Shelby for close to 60 years. This never came to mind. And the guys changing tires in the shops never brought it to my attention. LOL

[Bob Gaines]

Have had my Cobra and Shelby for close to 60 years. This never came to mind. And the guys changing tires in the shops never brought it to my attention. LOL

I first saw it done on cars at the Dearborn SAAC convention on concours cars back in the early 80's. I have noticed it on cars (not all) in concours it seems every year since.   

[roddster]

Good information about the "other" colored tags and what they mean to a tire installer.
  Can't imagine that's when tires are put on a rim that it would matter to the usually underpaid tireman that it would matter.
 Having said that, to me, it makes a statement that these little things matter.  Some like it, and some don't. BUT, it's your car, do it the way you want it.

[67#0083]

Decided to go for it. Tipped the guy $50 to get them perfect... and he did! I have to say, it's a nice small detail.

[warwick]

On MCs often you balance the wheel w/o the tire (the valve stem is not always the heaviest point), mark heavy spot then mount the yellow dot to coincide with wheel heavy spot-the balance again to reduce weight.

Attached weights are sometimes a bit harder to attach securely.

[s2ms]

If not for this thread I never would have noticed this...

5S383 coming up for auction at Mecum on 1/18/25 has the blue dots aligned 180* from the valve stem...

https://www.mecum.com/lots/1138509/1965-shelby-gt350-fastback/?aa_id=648035-0