The Ford Barn

spdway1 · 08-11-2023, 10:26 PM

What is the best/easiest way & tricks to mount the spare tire driver's side mount so that my tire valve stem is at the top? The fender well is an original one. Right now it mounts at about 2oclock. My OCD is killing me!!!

The truck is an "A" 28/29.

Thanks for your help and input.

Bill Cilker · 08-11-2023, 10:56 PM

I am not sure on 28/29 vehicles, but on 30/31 Model A's the tire valve stem is at 2 o'clock when mounted in a front fender. I expect that a 28/29 would be the same. The picture is from my Victoria.

Gary WA · 08-11-2023, 11:07 PM

you can loosen the big nut and try turning to get lug holes where they line up so valve is at top?! At least my 30's do that.

spdway1 · 08-12-2023, 10:15 AM

Ford archives (28/29) photos show the valve at 12 o'clock, I don't know how to post photos.

Marshall V. Daut · 08-12-2023, 10:34 AM

Make sure the triangle mounting plate with the three studs has two studs across the flat top, not the single one at the tip of the triangle on top. The plate can be mounted either way. That may be the problem.
Marshall

ModelA29 · 08-12-2023, 01:00 PM

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When the wheels were made was the hole for the valve stem always in the same relation to the bolt pattern? I suspect not as there would be no reason for Henry's workers to spend the extra few seconds on each wheel.

Y-Blockhead · 08-12-2023, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModelA29

When the wheels were made was the hole for the valve stem always in the same relation to the bolt pattern? I suspect not as there would be no reason for Henry's workers to spend the extra few seconds on each wheel.

I believe it is because the valve stem on a rear mounted spare is always mounted with the stem pointing straight down.

katy · 08-13-2023, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModelA29

When the wheels were made was the hole for the valve stem always in the same relation to the bolt pattern?

I think it probably was and they used the hole for indexing when the wheel was assembled.

spdway1 · 08-13-2023, 02:34 PM

I figured it out! I has an incorrect later plate on it with a slanted stud slot. I just ordered the straight stud slot one for 28 from Snyders.

mercman from oz · 08-13-2023, 05:25 PM

Fender Mounted Spare Wheels on Early Ford V8's with Wire Wheels.
Valve goes at the top to allow trapped water to escape out of small drain hole.
Old Henry thought of everything.
So many people when mounting their Spare Wheels miss this point?
It makes sense to position the Valve Stem at the top to prevent water being trapped in the Valve Hole.
I am not familiar with Model A Fords so can't give a definitive answer.

Randy in ca · 08-15-2023, 02:58 AM

A few years ago I purchased what looked to be a very nice condition wheel on eBay - appeared more than likely to be a spare that had rarely if ever been put into service. When the wheel arrived it was indeed in very nice condition - everywhere that is except for the valve stem hole which was badly rusted out. Had likely been mounted for some time with the valve stem hole somewhere other than at the top!! The seller had conveniently not shown this in the pictures!!

ModelA29 · 08-20-2023, 03:57 PM

I just found this tip......

Alignment of Valve Stems and Hubcaps
On all wheels, including spares, the hubcaps were installed so the horizontal line of the Ford script was perpendicular to the axis of the valve stem. On most wheels mounted as spares, the valve stem was mounted at the top or 12 o'clock position. On most 19" wheels, when mounted on a properly assembled side mount spare wheel carrier, the valve stem cannot be mounted at the 12 o'clock position. The stem will appear at either the 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock positions. Either is acceptable.

Source: Model A Restoration Guidelines, page 22-4

08-11-2023, 10:26 PM	#1
spdway1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chicopee, MA Posts: 1,402	Spare Tire Side Mount Help! What is the best/easiest way & tricks to mount the spare tire driver's side mount so that my tire valve stem is at the top? The fender well is an original one. Right now it mounts at about 2oclock. My OCD is killing me!!! The truck is an "A" 28/29. Thanks for your help and input.

08-11-2023, 11:07 PM	#3
Gary WA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island Posts: 4,105	Re: Spare Tire Side Mount Help! you can loosen the big nut and try turning to get lug holes where they line up so valve is at top?! At least my 30's do that. __________________ www.whidbeymodelaclub.com Last edited by Gary WA; 12-30-2023 at 02:36 PM.

08-12-2023, 10:15 AM	#4
spdway1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chicopee, MA Posts: 1,402	Re: Spare Tire Side Mount Help! Ford archives (28/29) photos show the valve at 12 o'clock, I don't know how to post photos.

08-12-2023, 10:34 AM	#5
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,112	Re: Spare Tire Side Mount Help! Make sure the triangle mounting plate with the three studs has two studs across the flat top, not the single one at the tip of the triangle on top. The plate can be mounted either way. That may be the problem. Marshall

08-12-2023, 01:00 PM	#6
ModelA29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: SoCal Posts: 591	Re: Spare Tire Side Mount Help! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) When the wheels were made was the hole for the valve stem always in the same relation to the bolt pattern? I suspect not as there would be no reason for Henry's workers to spend the extra few seconds on each wheel.

08-13-2023, 02:34 PM	#9
spdway1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chicopee, MA Posts: 1,402	Re: Spare Tire Side Mount Help! I figured it out! I has an incorrect later plate on it with a slanted stud slot. I just ordered the straight stud slot one for 28 from Snyders.

08-13-2023, 05:25 PM	#10
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,376	Re: Spare Tire Side Mount Help! Fender Mounted Spare Wheels on Early Ford V8's with Wire Wheels. Valve goes at the top to allow trapped water to escape out of small drain hole. Old Henry thought of everything. So many people when mounting their Spare Wheels miss this point? It makes sense to position the Valve Stem at the top to prevent water being trapped in the Valve Hole. I am not familiar with Model A Fords so can't give a definitive answer.

08-15-2023, 02:58 AM	#11
Randy in ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,646	Re: Spare Tire Side Mount Help! A few years ago I purchased what looked to be a very nice condition wheel on eBay - appeared more than likely to be a spare that had rarely if ever been put into service. When the wheel arrived it was indeed in very nice condition - everywhere that is except for the valve stem hole which was badly rusted out. Had likely been mounted for some time with the valve stem hole somewhere other than at the top!! The seller had conveniently not shown this in the pictures!! Last edited by Randy in ca; 08-15-2023 at 03:04 AM.

08-20-2023, 03:57 PM	#12
ModelA29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: SoCal Posts: 591	Re: Spare Tire Side Mount Help! I just found this tip...... Alignment of Valve Stems and Hubcaps On all wheels, including spares, the hubcaps were installed so the horizontal line of the Ford script was perpendicular to the axis of the valve stem. On most wheels mounted as spares, the valve stem was mounted at the top or 12 o'clock position. On most 19" wheels, when mounted on a properly assembled side mount spare wheel carrier, the valve stem cannot be mounted at the 12 o'clock position. The stem will appear at either the 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock positions. Either is acceptable. Source: Model A Restoration Guidelines, page 22-4