2600 Replacement wheels problem

I bought new replacement wheels for my 2600, old ones were terribly corroded. The centers don't want to drop in all of the way. They get caught on the edges of the loops that they bolt to. Any tips or tricks? Is it time to grind the edges of the loops where they weld to the wheels? The bolts line up fine but even working around the wheel it won't let the center drop all of the way to the loops. I'm setting the track at 56".

That is your reward for buying A&I wheels. I'm pleased to see that they're still buying them in from the same chinaman's factory as 10 years ago and he still hasn't repaired his pattern...
I had two of them 4-5 years apart. I will never have another one. I'll gladly pay for the factory GKN wheels.

Now... if you don't want to return the blasted things or can't afford to wait... you will need a competent helper with a strong back. You'll also need probably 3 36" tire bars. As I recall what I did was get 3 bolts placed and the nuts started... then use the tire bars to start bending the wheel outwards by prying against the center dish. You'll get the fourth bolt started fairly easily and start drawing it down. You'll need your buddy to get the fifth one started... and the last one... will require a lot of bad language. Just in case you think it's easier to grind the dish down to fit... you should keep in mind that the actual problem is that the wheel is not concentric... so if you don't force it out to fit it will never be concentric.... so that could make for a lot of road lope at speed if it's not quite round.
Personally, if I could afford to wait I would send the damn thing back. That is the only way they will ever get the message...

Rod

Unfortunately I guess I've learned this too late and the wheels are mine, not going back. I was looking at grinding the frt. lower portion of the loop to make it more of a ramp to possibly help get the center in. I didn't want to grind the center, I know that they are correct. All of the bolts will line up and drop in fine.

They do take defective parts back... If they're 'new' that's what I'd do if at all possible.

You could try grinding a bit of relief in the saddles as long as you don't taper where the disc actually has to sit...

Rod

It's impossible for us to tell how much interference there is. Centers will not 'drop in" to the steps on the loops without some effort. There is an interference fit with high quality aftermarket AND OEM rims. This helps keep the center from 'chucking' within the rim. I sell TISCO and Unverferth rims as well as OEM and the centers always have to be pulled onto the loops with the hardware. Depending on the amount of interference you have, your symptoms could be normal or unusual.

I've changed out several OEM wheels too and I've never observed one of them do more than scrape the paint. It was never a question of whether or not it would fit... just put the gun on it and run it down. These other heaps I'm talking about were more like 3/4"-1" out of round... to the point that the bolts didn't come close to lining up.

Rod

No, I get that. I don't get rims from A&I for the same reason you don't.

Centers are installed! I didn't want to force anything, better to ask first. I did chamfer the edge of the loops and where they were welded. Cleaned the paint off of the contact areas and they pulled in tightly.