The Ford Barn

Joe AZ · 04-09-2011, 09:06 PM

I'm looking for new tires for my '40 Ford Coupe. Looking for a bit of a "big & little" look. Will the stock 4" rims work with the 6.50 x 16's, or do I need a wider rim?
Thanks, Joe

Ken Crans · 04-09-2011, 10:32 PM

Hey Joe, I going to chance it too. I am ordering 650x16 bias for my 40 Ford truck. I have the 4 in. rim also. I have 670s on there now,but i havn't taken the tires off yet to measure. Ken

Tom's36coupe · 04-09-2011, 10:47 PM

Hey Joe, here are some pictures of my 36 with 650rs on 16" wheels that are 4 inch. It will work fine but they look a little skinny. I have my wheels out right now to make 5 1/2 inch. The bias tires do look wider though on the stock wheels, so they should be ok.

JM 35 Sedan · 04-09-2011, 11:40 PM

650x16's should work fine on 4" wide rims. I have 750Rx16's on 4" wide '35 wires on the rear and 550Rx16's on 4" wide '35 wires on the front for a big & little look on my '35 sedan.

blucar · 04-10-2011, 10:26 AM

If you are concerned about the 4" wide rims with 6.50 x 16 tires on a '40 Ford, switch the rims to '56-66 Ford pickup wheels. The pickup wheels will take a similar style of hub cap as the '40's, however, they will be 5" wide. Most of the later model pickup wheels will be 15", however, a lot of the pickups had the 16" option for 6.50 x 16" 6 ply tires.

Kube · 04-10-2011, 11:13 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

There is no reason for concern.
They will work and were an actual authorized option in 1940.

Joe AZ · 04-10-2011, 11:37 AM

Thanks for all of the responses. My concern was based on information from Coker, etc. that recommend a 4 1/2" plus rim for the tire size.
Joe

JM 35 Sedan · 04-10-2011, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe AZ

Thanks for all of the responses. My concern was based on information from Coker, etc. that recommend a 4 1/2" plus rim for the tire size.
Joe

I bought my tires from Diamondback and the President of the company told me there would be no problem running the 750Rx16 tires that they sold on 4" rims. I was planning to have a set of rims widened, but after talking to Diamondback they said it was not necessary when using the tires that they were recommending. He was right, they worked well.

DirtyDan · 04-11-2011, 07:16 AM

Here is a 700-16 mounted on a 4.5" wheel, so I don't think you will have any problems w/ the 6.50 on a 4"

blucar · 04-11-2011, 01:23 PM

The problem with mounting oversize tires on the 600 X 16" wheel is that they have a tendency to break the rim at the bead line.. Radial tires do not have this tendency because the side walls flex so much. The problem with mounting radial tires on to narrow of a rim, is that the contact of rubber to the road is decreased.
I can remember when I was a kid of about 12 or so, my father split a lot of rims at the bead line because he was running over size tires, 650, 700, because a person could not be to selective during WWII.

04-09-2011, 09:06 PM	#1
Joe AZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prescott, WI Posts: 336	6.50 x 16's on 4" Rim? I'm looking for new tires for my '40 Ford Coupe. Looking for a bit of a "big & little" look. Will the stock 4" rims work with the 6.50 x 16's, or do I need a wider rim? Thanks, Joe

04-09-2011, 10:32 PM	#2
Ken Crans Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Highland,MI Posts: 1,196	Re: 6.50 x 16's on 4" Rim? Hey Joe, I going to chance it too. I am ordering 650x16 bias for my 40 Ford truck. I have the 4 in. rim also. I have 670s on there now,but i havn't taken the tires off yet to measure. Ken

04-09-2011, 11:40 PM	#4
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: 6.50 x 16's on 4" Rim? 650x16's should work fine on 4" wide rims. I have 750Rx16's on 4" wide '35 wires on the rear and 550Rx16's on 4" wide '35 wires on the front for a big & little look on my '35 sedan. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

04-10-2011, 10:26 AM	#5
blucar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 2,464	Re: 6.50 x 16's on 4" Rim? If you are concerned about the 4" wide rims with 6.50 x 16 tires on a '40 Ford, switch the rims to '56-66 Ford pickup wheels. The pickup wheels will take a similar style of hub cap as the '40's, however, they will be 5" wide. Most of the later model pickup wheels will be 15", however, a lot of the pickups had the 16" option for 6.50 x 16" 6 ply tires. __________________ Bill.... 36 5 win cpe

04-10-2011, 11:13 AM	#6
Kube Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 9,001	Re: 6.50 x 16's on 4" Rim? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) There is no reason for concern. They will work and were an actual authorized option in 1940.

04-10-2011, 11:37 AM	#7
Joe AZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prescott, WI Posts: 336	Re: 6.50 x 16's on 4" Rim? Thanks for all of the responses. My concern was based on information from Coker, etc. that recommend a 4 1/2" plus rim for the tire size. Joe

04-11-2011, 07:16 AM	#9
DirtyDan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 146	Re: 6.50 x 16's on 4" Rim? Here is a 700-16 mounted on a 4.5" wheel, so I don't think you will have any problems w/ the 6.50 on a 4"

04-11-2011, 01:23 PM	#10
blucar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 2,464	Re: 6.50 x 16's on 4" Rim? The problem with mounting oversize tires on the 600 X 16" wheel is that they have a tendency to break the rim at the bead line.. Radial tires do not have this tendency because the side walls flex so much. The problem with mounting radial tires on to narrow of a rim, is that the contact of rubber to the road is decreased. I can remember when I was a kid of about 12 or so, my father split a lot of rims at the bead line because he was running over size tires, 650, 700, because a person could not be to selective during WWII. __________________ Bill.... 36 5 win cpe