The Ford Barn

Drbrown · 03-06-2015, 10:45 PM

I have 15 inch wheels on my '47 Ford and want to determine exactly what they are. If they are Ford or Merc is there a part number or other ID stamped somewhere on the outside of the rim. I obviously would like to avoid removal of the tire to figure this out. Thanks for any help.

corvette8n · 03-07-2015, 12:42 PM

Just looked at a rim I had laying around without a tire on it (AMC rim) but part # were inside, you may have to take the tire off.

rotorwrench · 03-07-2015, 01:03 PM

There are charactaristics that are viewable in the area covered by the hub cap that can be helpfull. There have been many wheels made with the 5 on 5.5" X 15" specs for FoMoCo alone. Chrysler an others also used this size back in the day. Most were set up for caps that fit outside the hub ring including 49 to 51 Mercury and many Ford pickups. Earlier Mercury cars with 15" wheels had the caps that fit inside the hub ring like the 1940 and up Ford wheels. 15" wheels were also optional for some bonus built trucks if I remember correctly.

A photo with th hub cap removed would be a big help and whether there is a Ford logo stamped near the lug bores would also help. Kelsey Hayes made a lot of wheels for FoMoCo but their stampings would be in the rim inner well area.

There is a person on the HAMB whose ID is Wheel Kid that could tell you what it is by those characteristics. He is the most knowledgable person I know of on the subject of automobile wheels.

V8COOPMAN · 03-07-2015, 01:17 PM

If you can take a picture up close-enough to include the entire wheel WITH the hub cap installed, and then a second picture even closer to show details of the lug bolt area stamping with the cap REMOVED, I'd bet we can get close......IF they're actually Ford wheels. We already know that they're 15s. It's possible they're '46-'48 Mercury wheels. DD

Drbrown · 03-08-2015, 12:08 AM

Thanks all .... will get some photos.

dwick01 · 03-08-2015, 01:03 AM

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I have 15" wheels on my '47 as well. They take the small baby moons and have the inner nubs.

03-06-2015, 10:45 PM	#1
Drbrown Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Glens Falls NY Posts: 1,267	How to ID tire rims I have 15 inch wheels on my '47 Ford and want to determine exactly what they are. If they are Ford or Merc is there a part number or other ID stamped somewhere on the outside of the rim. I obviously would like to avoid removal of the tire to figure this out. Thanks for any help.

03-07-2015, 12:42 PM	#2
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 2,954	Re: How to ID tire rims Just looked at a rim I had laying around without a tire on it (AMC rim) but part # were inside, you may have to take the tire off.

03-07-2015, 01:03 PM	#3
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: How to ID tire rims There are charactaristics that are viewable in the area covered by the hub cap that can be helpfull. There have been many wheels made with the 5 on 5.5" X 15" specs for FoMoCo alone. Chrysler an others also used this size back in the day. Most were set up for caps that fit outside the hub ring including 49 to 51 Mercury and many Ford pickups. Earlier Mercury cars with 15" wheels had the caps that fit inside the hub ring like the 1940 and up Ford wheels. 15" wheels were also optional for some bonus built trucks if I remember correctly. A photo with th hub cap removed would be a big help and whether there is a Ford logo stamped near the lug bores would also help. Kelsey Hayes made a lot of wheels for FoMoCo but their stampings would be in the rim inner well area. There is a person on the HAMB whose ID is Wheel Kid that could tell you what it is by those characteristics. He is the most knowledgable person I know of on the subject of automobile wheels.

03-07-2015, 01:17 PM	#4
V8COOPMAN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON Posts: 11,115	Re: How to ID tire rims If you can take a picture up close-enough to include the entire wheel WITH the hub cap installed, and then a second picture even closer to show details of the lug bolt area stamping with the cap REMOVED, I'd bet we can get close......IF they're actually Ford wheels. We already know that they're 15s. It's possible they're '46-'48 Mercury wheels. DD __________________ *Click Links Below* __ ▼ *'35-'36 W/8BA & MECHANICAL FAN* *T5 W/TORQUE TUBE*

03-08-2015, 12:08 AM	#5
Drbrown Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Glens Falls NY Posts: 1,267	Re: How to ID tire rims Thanks all .... will get some photos.

03-08-2015, 01:03 AM	#6
dwick01 Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Wellington, Kansas Posts: 444	Re: How to ID tire rims Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have 15" wheels on my '47 as well. They take the small baby moons and have the inner nubs.