The Ford Barn

Tudorp · 03-21-2014, 11:20 AM

Just before winter, I bought a pretty clean 53 Customline. Flathead V8/Fordomatic. It has some cheap Mr. Gasket moons on it, but they don't fit very well (VERY tight), in fact, you have to beat them to death to get them to bend enough to go on. I am pretty sure they are 10-1/8 id. Does someone know where I can get a better fitting moon for the factory wheels? Does someone offer a moon with a 10-1/4" id? The wheels have 3 outside nubs if that helps identify the wheels.

Any help with info on some moons that will fit this wheel better would be appreciated.

toby · 03-21-2014, 12:34 PM

Newer production baby moons have a different edge profile than moons of the 50's-60's. They will fit newer wheels.
The wheels you have with 3 nibs should be correct for your '53 and you might have to find moons from that era.

Tudorp · 03-21-2014, 02:00 PM

Thanks.. I'll see if I can find some era ones. In the meantime, the ones I have on it in the picture works, but I had to bend the rim of the moon to get them to go on. Real PITA to get on and off. But hoping to find some that are slightly larger so I won't have to beat them on and off, lol.. The ones on the car are the original 15" wheels, and really want to keep them in lue of newer aftermarket.

billwill · 03-21-2014, 02:08 PM

Nice old car

Tudorp · 03-21-2014, 02:10 PM

Thanks.. But, it is new... I am used to working with Model A's.. New or old is a matter of perspective I reckon.. lol..

hardtimes · 03-21-2014, 02:21 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Tudorp

Thanks.. I'll see if I can find some era ones. In the meantime, the ones I have on it in the picture works, but I had to bend the rim of the moon to get them to go on. Real PITA to get on and off. But hoping to find some that are slightly larger so I won't have to beat them on and off, lol.. The ones on the car are the original 15" wheels, and really want to keep them in lue of newer aftermarket.

Thanks for sharing the pic

! That's a beauty. I had one just like it ..with straight front axle in about '66 ! Hm , 272 Y block , if remember correctly good engine and freeway cruiser back then.

Regarding moon caps, I have '35 Kelsey wheels and same problem. But, to make lemonade from lemons....I just thot out a way to get them on/off without damage and was/am happy NOW that they are tight...as no loss of caps,eh

! Originals from back when may be harder to find, especially in good condition. Good luck.

Tudorp · 03-21-2014, 02:50 PM

Thanks.. Love the Ford. I hadn't driven it much because living in Michigan, only want to take it out in Spring/Summer. I picked it late fall of last year, but the little I have driven it, it runs and drives very nice. I took it out the first time this year yesterday and fell in love all over again. I had to heat up the caps I have on it now, and hammer them on. Just a PITA. Always been a huge flathead fan boy, but always had earlier flathead 4, and also Plymouth flathead 6. Always wanted a Ford flathead V8. I plan to do a lot of driving in it this spring and summer.

deuce lover · 03-21-2014, 02:55 PM

Put baby moons in the search window of EBAY.They turn up there quite often.

Tudorp · 03-21-2014, 04:23 PM

Been watching ebay. Full of the cheap Mr gasket moons, and most of those are 10-1/8". Some vintage ones in bad shape one or two at a time show up. I think I found a set that are for Ford vans (1966>) that are 10-1/4". Pricey, but might be the only option I have, and they will fit much better. I may just go that route.

waterboychuck · 03-21-2014, 05:20 PM

I had a 53 when I was a senior in high school, although it was green in color. Brings back old memories. Thanks for sharing.

STEVE1103 · 03-22-2014, 08:13 AM

Had the same trouble with my 53 Merc, had to beat them on, never did find any that fit right. I used the 49 Ford hub cap, (not a moon but close) it was the best altenitive I could find that fit!! I don't have that car but do have 4 dented moons still!!!!

flathead4rd · 03-22-2014, 08:44 AM

I've got a set that measure 10-1/4 ID. Where in Michigan are you? I'm just south of Detroit. If you want to try them first send me a PM with a phone number. Their not perfect but are in pretty nice condition.

Tudorp · 03-22-2014, 12:10 PM

I would love to try them. If they work, what do ya want for them? I am in lower Michigan south of KZoo. Zip 49099.

I'll PM ya.

Quote:

Originally Posted by flathead4rd

I've got a set that measure 10-1/4 ID. Where in Michigan are you? I'm just south of Detroit. If you want to try them first send me a PM with a phone number. Their not perfect but are in pretty nice condition.

flathead4rd · 03-22-2014, 02:15 PM

Got your address. Will try and send them out on Monday.

Tudorp · 03-22-2014, 03:07 PM

Thanks brother. Ill let ya know how they work out. Thanks again for your help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by flathead4rd

Got your address. Will try and send them out on Monday.

fordor41 · 03-23-2014, 10:16 PM

I had the same problem. Tried three different hubcap companies and they were all too small even thought they were listed as 10 1/8. Settled on 50 ford, I believe from Dennis Carpenter

TJ · 03-24-2014, 08:49 AM

You can buy the 50 Ford caps in stainless without the script.

funrunr · 03-25-2014, 01:19 PM

check out these, I bought from this guy before, very good person and fair too. He also has a set of Lincoln V-12 center caps

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cappy...type=3&theater

03-21-2014, 11:20 AM	#1
Tudorp Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 86	Need help with moons. Just before winter, I bought a pretty clean 53 Customline. Flathead V8/Fordomatic. It has some cheap Mr. Gasket moons on it, but they don't fit very well (VERY tight), in fact, you have to beat them to death to get them to bend enough to go on. I am pretty sure they are 10-1/8 id. Does someone know where I can get a better fitting moon for the factory wheels? Does someone offer a moon with a 10-1/4" id? The wheels have 3 outside nubs if that helps identify the wheels. Any help with info on some moons that will fit this wheel better would be appreciated.

03-21-2014, 12:34 PM	#2
toby Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Racine, WI Posts: 472	Re: Need help with moons. Newer production baby moons have a different edge profile than moons of the 50's-60's. They will fit newer wheels. The wheels you have with 3 nibs should be correct for your '53 and you might have to find moons from that era.

03-21-2014, 02:00 PM	#3
Tudorp Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 86	Re: Need help with moons. Thanks.. I'll see if I can find some era ones. In the meantime, the ones I have on it in the picture works, but I had to bend the rim of the moon to get them to go on. Real PITA to get on and off. But hoping to find some that are slightly larger so I won't have to beat them on and off, lol.. The ones on the car are the original 15" wheels, and really want to keep them in lue of newer aftermarket.

03-21-2014, 02:08 PM	#4
billwill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: capemaynewjersey Posts: 653	Re: Need help with moons. Nice old car

03-21-2014, 02:10 PM	#5
Tudorp Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 86	Re: Need help with moons. Thanks.. But, it is new... I am used to working with Model A's.. New or old is a matter of perspective I reckon.. lol..

03-21-2014, 02:50 PM	#7
Tudorp Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 86	Re: Need help with moons. Thanks.. Love the Ford. I hadn't driven it much because living in Michigan, only want to take it out in Spring/Summer. I picked it late fall of last year, but the little I have driven it, it runs and drives very nice. I took it out the first time this year yesterday and fell in love all over again. I had to heat up the caps I have on it now, and hammer them on. Just a PITA. Always been a huge flathead fan boy, but always had earlier flathead 4, and also Plymouth flathead 6. Always wanted a Ford flathead V8. I plan to do a lot of driving in it this spring and summer.

03-21-2014, 02:55 PM	#8
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern France Posts: 5,308	Re: Need help with moons. Put baby moons in the search window of EBAY.They turn up there quite often.

03-21-2014, 04:23 PM	#9
Tudorp Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 86	Re: Need help with moons. Been watching ebay. Full of the cheap Mr gasket moons, and most of those are 10-1/8". Some vintage ones in bad shape one or two at a time show up. I think I found a set that are for Ford vans (1966>) that are 10-1/4". Pricey, but might be the only option I have, and they will fit much better. I may just go that route.

03-21-2014, 05:20 PM	#10
waterboychuck Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Nine Mile Falls,WA Posts: 900	Re: Need help with moons. I had a 53 when I was a senior in high school, although it was green in color. Brings back old memories. Thanks for sharing.

03-22-2014, 08:13 AM	#11
STEVE1103 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville PA Posts: 73	Re: Need help with moons. Had the same trouble with my 53 Merc, had to beat them on, never did find any that fit right. I used the 49 Ford hub cap, (not a moon but close) it was the best altenitive I could find that fit!! I don't have that car but do have 4 dented moons still!!!! __________________ STEVE1103

03-22-2014, 08:44 AM	#12
flathead4rd Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 505	Re: Need help with moons. I've got a set that measure 10-1/4 ID. Where in Michigan are you? I'm just south of Detroit. If you want to try them first send me a PM with a phone number. Their not perfect but are in pretty nice condition.

03-22-2014, 02:15 PM	#14
flathead4rd Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 505	Re: Need help with moons. Got your address. Will try and send them out on Monday.

03-23-2014, 10:16 PM	#16
fordor41 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: elmira,ny Posts: 1,518	Re: Need help with moons. I had the same problem. Tried three different hubcap companies and they were all too small even thought they were listed as 10 1/8. Settled on 50 ford, I believe from Dennis Carpenter Last edited by fordor41; 03-25-2014 at 10:15 PM.

03-24-2014, 08:49 AM	#17
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,037	Re: Need help with moons. You can buy the 50 Ford caps in stainless without the script.

03-25-2014, 01:19 PM	#18
funrunr Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Belleville,MI Posts: 1,428	Re: Need help with moons. check out these, I bought from this guy before, very good person and fair too. He also has a set of Lincoln V-12 center caps https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cappy...type=3&theater __________________ Thank God this is only a hobby!