30`s v8 wire wheels

[farmerdick]

Will the later 30`s v8 wire spoke wheels fit the 1930 A drums?
Thank you.
farmerdick

[CarlG]

Yes

[ModelAMike1930]

The 1930 pickup I bought had the later wheels on it. Don't think any adapters were used.

[ursus]

I met an early V-8 guy at a swap meet recently who complained that so many of the Model-A guys were installing the V-8 wires that he was having trouble finding any for his restoration. If so, I haven't seen any corresponding increase in the availability of good Model-A wheels.

[Charlie Stephens]

Any wire wheel through 1935 will fit the Model A drums (excepting AR, and there I am not sure). Where you get in trouble and need adapters is trying to run wire wheels ('28-'35) on the later hydraulic drums. Another time you need adapters is running '40-'48 (and probably later) solid rims on stock Model A drums.

Charlie Stephens

[farmerdick]

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Thank you guys for the info. Do you think there would be any alignment issues if I used a smaller and wider tire?

[Tiny]

Originally Posted by farmerdick

Thank you guys for the info. Do you think there would be any alignment issues if I used a smaller and wider tire?

I'm not sure what you mean. Like big and littles? Hot rod style?

[farmerdick]

If I go to a 16" rim and put on a wider radial tire, would there be alignment problems.

[1931 flamingo]

NO Why would there be if it was right before the wheel change??
Paul in CT

[farmerdick]

Great. Just wasn`t sure if there would be with the radical change in geometry. Thanks much.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by farmerdick

If I go to a 16" rim and put on a wider radial tire, would there be alignment problems.

Just make sure the wider tyre doesn't rub the drag link or anything else when you turn the steering to full lock. Mine didn't so you will probably be right but it's worth the 30 seconds it takes to check.

[jthomas6]

When going from 19" to 16", it will throw the speedometer off by ???mph - probably the odometer too.

[29spcoupe]

The radial tires will require a different camber than the bias ply tire.

[sphanna]

Originally Posted by jthomas6

When going from 19" to 16", it will throw the speedometer off by ???mph - probably the odometer too.

Yes, it will throw off your speedometer and your odometer. This is how to know how much. Measure from center of hub to the floor of a mounted wheel and tire properly inflated. Say for example you measure 14.4 inches with your 19 in. Wheels. Now if you mount 16 in. wheels and measure as before and you might get 13.25 inches ( I do not know what that measure will be). My 19 inchers are 14.4. Now divide your 16 in. Measure by the 19 in. Measure. 13.25/14.4 = .92. So your speed will be 92% of the speedometer reading.

[Charlie Stephens]

Since questions about wheels and adapters come up frequently I thought I would post a couple of pictures on the subject. The wire wheels from ‘28 (I am not sure about the AR wheels) through ‘35 are designed to mount on a surface that has 2 levels. The first photo shows the ring on the rear wheel of a Model A that provides this second level. Beginning in late ’31 with the cast drums and continuing through ‘35 this second level was provided by raised nubs as shown in the second picture. All wire wheels (including aftermarket Kelsey wheels) can be run without adapters on the brake drums intended for mechanical brakes. The wheels for ’40 through ’48 were designed to run on flat drums as shown in the third picture. There is an adapter shown in the fourth photo that provides this second level when running wire wheels on hydraulic brake drums. There is a spacer available to run the later disc wheels on the mechanical brake drums. In both cases it is necessary to check that the studs are long enough. The spacers to run wire wheels on the later hydraulic brake drums are available from MT Car Products as part # 5000, Speedway as part # 91065470, and Sacramento Vintage Ford Parts as part # 05199-8 as well as many other sources. Since all wheels had the same 5 on 5 ½ bolt pattern the wheels can be bolted on and appear at first glance to fit. Unfortunately, not running adapters/spacers when they are required may result in cracked rims.

[emf]

A few thread ago, I spoke about having my front end aligned on a machine that could correct the camber by bending the axle. I have 16 inch wheels and the new Coker 16 inch radials. When I got to the shop, the tech checked the camber and it was 1* positive. His opinion was that we should not change it and that the tire would run fine with 1*. Mind you, his shop has been doing front end alignments for over 40 years. The toe-in was adjusted and off we went. The bigger problem was wheel balance. A couple of the wheels had some wobble that presented problems, but there were work arounds. All in all, very satisfied with raidals...

Frank

[farmerdick]

This is for future changes I want to make to the car and appreciate the information. Thank you.
farmerdick

[Gary WA]

Early Ford Wire Wheel Tech - Hot Rod Forum : Hotrodders Bulletin Board

[Afordman31]

Originally Posted by jthomas6

When going from 19" to 16", it will throw the speedometer off by ???mph - probably the odometer too.

I have this app on my smart phone that I can check the MPH. I have checked my speedster with 16" wheels and found the speedometer to be pretty close, closer than I expected. The app is dead on as I have tried it against my modern vehicles. This app is for the IPhone. You can get them for the Android also. I forgot to mention, that it is FREE. Thanks

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spee...307529605?mt=8