The Ford Barn

Shemp · 09-02-2015, 03:50 PM

Hi Ford Barners,

I've been lurking for awhile. It's time to get involved.

I am restoring an April '28 Roadster that I inherited mid-project from my Dad. It is in many pieces although as far as I can tell, all the pieces are there. I'm hoping to do as much of the work myself as I can.

I have 16 "AR" wheels from which to chose the ones I'll keep. The car's original wheels look to be the best of them. My question: how straight does a spoke have to be? For example, the rim on one wheel is quite true with 79/1000" run-out and 26/1000" wobble. The spokes appear quite straight and all ring true when struck with a screwdriver. However, when I lay a straight edge against various spokes, some of them have 1/16"-3/32" bend in them. Straight enough? My concern is that any attempt to tweak the spokes will disrupt an already true rim.

Thanks for all the knowledge you've already imparted.

Steve

1930artdeco · 09-02-2015, 04:02 PM

Welcome Shemp. A couple of my wheels have bent spokes but still track fairly straight. Obviously, they should all be straight and true. But your measurements don't seem to me at least to out of line with a true wheel. Just my opinion and I am sure someone ways smarter than I will chime in.

Mike

KGBnut · 09-02-2015, 06:13 PM

Yours sound better than mine and I get no vibration or shake, even at those rare times that I am running of 50 MPH.

Glad to hear you are keeping the car in the family.

Ken

larrys40 · 09-02-2015, 06:17 PM

Steve,
I would straighten them as it is also a cosmetic issue. I think you will find that it doesn't take too much tweaking to get the spokes back straight.. and it probably won't be enough to effect the true...... Nice looking straight, well finished unpitted wheels painted well do a lot to the detail and making a nice looking "A".
To me it's part of doing "quality" and thorough restoration work.

Larry Shepard

Shemp · 10-03-2015, 04:44 PM

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Okay, after a month of evenings, I have some nice, straight spokes. All are within 1/32" of true and runout was minimally affected (thanks, Larry).

While a slide hammer was handy, I found that my dinging hammers and dollies were much more effective and precise. In some spots, a 19mm socket makes a nice dolly.

One other thing that helped was annealing the particularly tough spokes. 87 years on the road will work harden anything.

Thanks for the input, gentleman!

Steve

09-02-2015, 03:50 PM	#1
Shemp Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Eastern Iowa Posts: 14	New Guy & Question About Spokes Hi Ford Barners, I've been lurking for awhile. It's time to get involved. I am restoring an April '28 Roadster that I inherited mid-project from my Dad. It is in many pieces although as far as I can tell, all the pieces are there. I'm hoping to do as much of the work myself as I can. I have 16 "AR" wheels from which to chose the ones I'll keep. The car's original wheels look to be the best of them. My question: how straight does a spoke have to be? For example, the rim on one wheel is quite true with 79/1000" run-out and 26/1000" wobble. The spokes appear quite straight and all ring true when struck with a screwdriver. However, when I lay a straight edge against various spokes, some of them have 1/16"-3/32" bend in them. Straight enough? My concern is that any attempt to tweak the spokes will disrupt an already true rim. Thanks for all the knowledge you've already imparted. Steve

09-02-2015, 04:02 PM	#2
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,550	Re: New Guy & Question About Spokes Welcome Shemp. A couple of my wheels have bent spokes but still track fairly straight. Obviously, they should all be straight and true. But your measurements don't seem to me at least to out of line with a true wheel. Just my opinion and I am sure someone ways smarter than I will chime in. Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

09-02-2015, 06:13 PM	#3
KGBnut Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Southwestern Connecticut Posts: 931	Re: New Guy & Question About Spokes Yours sound better than mine and I get no vibration or shake, even at those rare times that I am running of 50 MPH. Glad to hear you are keeping the car in the family. Ken __________________ Style beats speed any day, and with a lot fewer tickets.

09-02-2015, 06:17 PM	#4
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 1,998	Re: New Guy & Question About Spokes Steve, I would straighten them as it is also a cosmetic issue. I think you will find that it doesn't take too much tweaking to get the spokes back straight.. and it probably won't be enough to effect the true...... Nice looking straight, well finished unpitted wheels painted well do a lot to the detail and making a nice looking "A". To me it's part of doing "quality" and thorough restoration work. Larry Shepard

10-03-2015, 04:44 PM	#5
Shemp Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Eastern Iowa Posts: 14	Re: New Guy & Question About Spokes Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Okay, after a month of evenings, I have some nice, straight spokes. All are within 1/32" of true and runout was minimally affected (thanks, Larry). While a slide hammer was handy, I found that my dinging hammers and dollies were much more effective and precise. In some spots, a 19mm socket makes a nice dolly. One other thing that helped was annealing the particularly tough spokes. 87 years on the road will work harden anything. Thanks for the input, gentleman! Steve