Options for rims for a 35
 

My little roadster is just not smooth enough on the hiway,new 600-16 radials helped a lot but the rims are just not true enough for a good balance,
I like the spoke rims but think a solid rim would be smoother ride!!
What later rim would fit,or does some one that’s straightens the spoke rims???

Re: Options for rims for a 35
 

I like 49-50-51 mercury rims.

Re: Options for rims for a 35
 

There is someone here in Southern California that does it but shipping would be a killer. Contact your local Model A and Early Ford V8 clubs and see if they know some place local that does that type of work or buy some rims that are straight. I assume you have mechanical brakes and know know that if you run solid wheels on mechanical brake drums/hubs you need an adapter/spacer. I like the look of the wire wheels.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Options for rims for a 35
 

for my 35 Roadster I went through all of my stock Ford 16" wire wheels and picked out the best 4 i had, perfectly straight.... i put tires on with absolutely no balancing done to them and i can take my hands off the wheel at 80mph

Re: Options for rims for a 35
 

Use dynabeads in your tires.

Re: Options for rims for a 35
 

Anyone had luck with the sand in wheeled??

Re: Options for rims for a 35
 

Try Dynabeads from Dynamic balancing - made just for your problem ....

Re: Options for rims for a 35
 

Anyone had luck with the sand in wheeled?


Yes!, well dynabeads, I run them in my 35 with KH wires. The fun part is getting them into the tubes, but very worthwhile result. I drive my 35 fast and no vibration whatsoever.

Re: Options for rims for a 35
 

No balancing in the world fixes a rim that is all over the place...
On the other hand the spoke rims aren´t to hard to straighten if you know how to deal with them.
If you want your rims dead on the last tiny bit is almost impossible to straighten so when you are done straigtening set it up in the lathe and cut the mounting surface.

Re: Options for rims for a 35
 

Do you remove all weights when using the dyna beads??? I’m am running tubeless and have no air problems..

Re: Options for rims for a 35
 

Yes, remove all the weights. Running tubeless? so easy to fit the beads in that case. Try 'em, you love 'em.

Re: Options for rims for a 35
 

Have you spun the wheels to check for out-of-round and run-out?

Charlie Stephens

Re: Options for rims for a 35
 

Are you using the stock or later drums? You need support rings to run wires on later drums and you need to machine off the little towers to run later rims on early drums.
16” wires will wobble if used on later drums without the support rings.

Re: Options for rims for a 35
 

A friend of mine owned a bicycle shop that trued a set of wires for a 20's or 30's Cadillac restoration. I don't know how they turned out but if you have a bicycle shop nearby, it might be worth a visit or a phone call.

Re: Options for rims for a 35
 

Don my buddy here in Australia does wheel straightening. He just did 5 35 wires for me and he said they were terrible, he did the best he could. So I dug out 5 16” Kelsey hays wire wheels and gave them to him. He said wow these are far superior quality to the ford wire wheels. Anyway the K H are going on my convertible sedan.

Re: Options for rims for a 35
 

I’m sure the KH would be better—If I had 4 !!!
Have watched a guy balance them and they do have some run out ,,they balance but the run out is probally my problem
My buddy Bruce picked up what is supposed to be a wheel straightener from the early days,has a couple built in hyd jacks and some mandrels,might look into this machine!!
Car had hyd brakes when purchased!never did see any spacers or rings,I assume they are 39 or 40 brakes assembly,they have the encentric adj on lower back of backing plates and 2 adj on upper BP

Pretty sure the rims hit the drums but should double check anyway

Re: Options for rims for a 35
 

I have factory ‘35 ford wires on my ‘29 A and at 65 it is as smooth as can be. They balanced fine. I did buy the nicest original set I could find. I have a jig that mounts to a table or tailgate so you can spin the wheel and check for straightness before buying. It was simple to make.

Re: Options for rims for a 35
 

Hydraulic drums and wire wheels usually don't get full contact. Here is what you should be looking for: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...=1#post1286293

Charlie Stephens

Re: Options for rims for a 35
 

up to about an 1/8" runout is pretty common, and should not be a problem. up to 3/16 i would run on the back, and maybe get away with it. any more..no good. but any show of being out of round puts them on the junk pile. i have a rig i made for painting wheels, but works good for checking for true also.

Re: Options for rims for a 35
 

What you need to find is a wheelwright. Check in your area, or with other clubs to see if one is close enough that you don't have to ship the wheels. Also try google "wheel straightening" in my area.