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Old 09-01-2015, 07:20 AM   #1
western77
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Default Kelsey Hays wheels on A

I went to put a set of Kelsey hays bent spoked wheels on the back of my A and they would not fit. I have Mikes cast iron drums on the back. There was about 3/16s interferance with the drum. Is the pressed steel drum that much smaller? I always thought that Kelsey hays 16 inch wheels were interchangeable. What do you guys do to make them fit? Thanks.
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Old 09-01-2015, 08:34 AM   #2
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Default Re: Kelsey Hays wheels on A

They bolted right on to mine. Not sure why you are having a problem.
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Old 09-01-2015, 10:11 AM   #3
Jim Brierley
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Default Re: Kelsey Hays wheels on A

Kelsey made wheels for other cars, maybe you have some of them???
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Old 09-01-2015, 10:22 AM   #4
redmodelt
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Default Re: Kelsey Hays wheels on A

How are they not fitting? If they are not sitting flush against the hub at the studs you need the spacers.
Maybe this will help;
http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/V8brakedrums.htm
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Old 09-01-2015, 11:05 AM   #5
western77
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Default Re: Kelsey Hays wheels on A

This is the interference. The brake drum measures 10 inches. The inside of the wheel at the smallest spot, the spoke head, measures 9.875 on the top set of spokes and 9.825 on the bottom set of spokes. This will not let me install the wheels. These brake drums are cast iron and could be a little bit larger in diameter than the stock pressed steel, I do not know.
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Old 09-01-2015, 11:27 AM   #6
1931 flamingo
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Default Re: Kelsey Hays wheels on A

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Give Mike's a call.
Paul in CT
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Old 09-01-2015, 12:43 PM   #7
BILL WILLIAMSON
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Default Re: Kelsey Hays wheels on A

Western,
If you have a friend with a Model A, see if they fit on his car??? I never heard of a mis-fit, using the 16" Kelseys on stock mechanical drums.
Chief said that EVERYBODY & THEIR DOGS, were making 16" '35 style wire wheels, to keep up with the GREAT demand. A lots were even used for trailers, etc. I'm sure there might have some MIS-FITS manufactured.
Bill W.
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Old 09-01-2015, 02:08 PM   #8
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Default Re: Kelsey Hays wheels on A

Quote:
Originally Posted by western77 View Post
This is the interference. The brake drum measures 10 inches. The inside of the wheel at the smallest spot, the spoke head, measures 9.875 on the top set of spokes and 9.825 on the bottom set of spokes. This will not let me install the wheels. These brake drums are cast iron and could be a little bit larger in diameter than the stock pressed steel, I do not know.
I'm with Jim B and his thoughts on your situation ! My wheels are same same and I've had them on Ford V8 drums , on Model A drums and presently on Lincoln drums. Can you show us a picture of the inside diam, etc of you drum /wheel problem
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Old 09-01-2015, 03:05 PM   #9
BILL WILLIAMSON
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Default Re: Kelsey Hays wheels on A

PURELY A "THOUGHT"---Could it be a discrepancy in the O.D. of the drum & if so, could it "possibly" be turned on the outside of the drum, to make it fit?
NOT RECOMMENDING THIS, just "thinking" of what's causing them NOT to fit, as this seems to be an UNUSUAL problem. "Maybe" it's caused by some TOO TALL of welds on the spokes?????
Bill W.
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Old 09-01-2015, 03:45 PM   #10
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Default Re: Kelsey Hays wheels on A

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Brierley View Post
Kelsey made wheels for other cars, maybe you have some of them???
I think this is most likely your problem. There are a lot of Kelsey Hayes wire wheels with 5 1/2 by 5 bolt patterns that look just like those made for Ford but aren't. KH wheels were used on A LOT of 1930s era cars as OE equiptment.
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Old 09-03-2015, 12:50 PM   #11
Rainmaker Ron
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Default Re: Kelsey Hays wheels on A

Quote:
Originally Posted by western77 View Post
I went to put a set of Kelsey hays bent spoked wheels on the back of my A and they would not fit. I have Mikes cast iron drums on the back. There was about 3/16s interferance with the drum. Is the pressed steel drum that much smaller? I always thought that Kelsey hays 16 inch wheels were interchangeable. What do you guys do to make them fit? Thanks.
I have the same situation, cast drums and Kelsey wheels. I took a little off the spoke nubs and was able to mount the wheels. I have run tubeless like this for 10 years with no trouble.
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Old 09-03-2015, 04:10 PM   #12
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Default Re: Kelsey Hays wheels on A

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Originally Posted by Rainmaker Ron View Post
I have the same situation, cast drums and Kelsey wheels. I took a little off the spoke nubs and was able to mount the wheels. I have run tubeless like this for 10 years with no trouble.
Rainmaker Ron
This is what I did also
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Old 09-05-2015, 06:28 AM   #13
western77
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Default Re: Kelsey Hays wheels on A

Thanks everyone, with a little grinding I have mine on too. Looks great if you like 16s on a model a. JB
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Old 09-05-2015, 06:33 AM   #14
C26Pinelake
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Default Re: Kelsey Hays wheels on A

All is well that ends well and we learned something to ad to our information book ! Wayne
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