16" Tire Questions

[sturgis 39]

Napa

You probably know, but to run early spoke wheels on later hydraulic drums you need a spacer so the lug bolts do not support the wheels. The spacers are available at most model "A" stores and probably not NAPA. I do not know if you are running hydraulic brakes. Just thought I would throw that in.

The 33 and 34 Fords had 17" wheels and I think the 32 had 18" wheels with the lugs nuts inside.

There are a lot more experts on these wheels than me.

[400A-64]

I have used the "Bent Spoke Kelseys" with The "Rav 4" Radials that Jim Brierley spoke of. I ran a bead of contractors silicone in side the rim on the spoke ends and spread it all over the spoke ends with a chip brush. Then I had the radial tires mounted and the bead sealed.They give a great ride and add to better braking. Bad roads are somewhat forgiven with the Radials.
Bruce Davis [email protected]

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by Vic in E-TN

I am looking forward to new 16 inch rims with 19 inch centers becoming available in my lifetime...

Are these the ones I keep hearing that Snyders is working on???

[Vic in E-TN]

Two years ago I was speaking with Trey (Don Snyder III) at Hershey and asked him if he would be interested in making these (19-16's) in addition to the 19 and 21 inch versions. He said that there probably was not enough market but I could do it if I wanted to. Not enough money and storage for a container load of rims.

At our AACA meeting in December Corky Coker had a smile when I asked him about rim width and his radial tires. H understood the problem and said maybe an answer was coming in the future.

Vic

[johnsor]

I am running 35 Ford spoke wheels with 6:50 x 16 tires. The 6:50's are the same O.D. As the 19" tires, thus gear ratio/speed is the same. Also, a much smoother ride. No fit problems at all. Bought new "Ford" caps from Mikes. I saved my former 19" wheels and tires in case I ever wanted to switch back.

[Peter J]

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johnsor, aren't those 650's too heavy? I have a pair that I won't put on because they're 6pr and huge. I think I'll hold out for 600's

[lindy williams]

I bought my hubcaps from Bob Drake. top quality in my opinion.

[MurphyJ]

I purchased a set of 4 600X16 Bias Firestones, same as what Coker supplys, from Performance Plus Tire and Auto in Long Beach California and saved a bit on the tire cost and shipping cost as I live in the Northwest. Might want to check them out. www.performanceplustire.com.
Shop around for caps as they do differ in price for the same product.

[Peter J]

Thanks Murphy. Shipping costs per tire is almost 1/2 the original price.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Peter J

johnsor, aren't those 650's too heavy? I have a pair that I won't put on because they're 6pr and huge. I think I'll hold out for 600's

Peter,
In high school, I ran 6.50 x 16 -6 ply on the rear. The larger size looked more business like & substantial to me. I lowered the air pressure to get a better ride and I couldn't seem to ever wear those dudes out. Bill W.

[Purdy Swoft]

Here is one with 700X16 on the back and 600X16 on the front. Purdy Swoft loading horse pills for fertilizer. The big back tires, other than looking cool, will make it run faster!!!!!!! A friend gave me the 700 mud grip rear tires back in 1979, They are still on it and will probably never wear out. It probably wouldn't pass judgeing standards but we don't worry MUCH about that!!!!

[kp]

PURDY SWIFT :I like that truck. Wish I had one just like it, horse crap and all!!

[Purdy Swoft]

Thanks kp. I've had the old strip down since 1967. I got it out of a junk yard. It was sitting on the ground with no wheels or radiator. I paid thirty dollars for it, that was more than it would have brought for scrap iron at the time. The old guy that had it wanted thirty five dollars for it but I said that I only had thirty. The old guy was a real piece of work and had a turd in every pocket for somebody. He figured it was useless and just said, I recon so, just take the damn thing on. One of his boys had wrung off a head stud in the block and to make it worse broke off a drill bit trying to drill out the stud. I took a set of wheels with me and pulled it home ,on the back roads with a chain.

The dried horse pills are good organic fertilizer and doesn't burn plants like too much commercial fertilizer will. We got rid of the horses and the pills are long gone.

[Bick in New Zealand]

These are 16 inch Firestone Air Balloon Wheels that I am running on my coupe. The tyres are Bridgestone Dueller HTS 215/70 R16. This combination has worked really well for me, looks great the only downside is the spokes are a pain in the A to clean.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

I am using 215/70 R16 on my 35 Fordor and they are about the same diameter as the original 600-16 tires. The 215 is about the right width but the middle number is the key as to whether the tire looks right on the car. I wouldn't go under "70" or it will look too small in diameter.

[Peter J]

Bick,
That does look pretty good. I assume you went tubeless? I would imagine with my B engine, I could keep up with the A's and the taller tires. The diameter will mean a little higher engine speed.

[Bick in New Zealand]

Hi Peter J.

I am running tubes as the spokes go through the rim. You will be pleasantly surpised at the better handling characteristics of the smaller / wider rims.

[flattie1929]

Hi guys, i'm running 16" ford spoke wheels with 600x16. Is it possible
to use 700x16 on this rim. Someone told me that the rim should be
4.50 to 5.00 width to use 700x16. If i'm right the Ford rim has 4.00 width.
Is there any problem..?
Thanks in advance and greetings from germany Frank

[Duffy1]

I have the 16 " ford wheels and 215/700 cooper tires ( discout tire ) and they rub the rear fender wells when two people are in the back seat ( 31 S/W ) and you go around a corner . I put a sway bar ( pander bar ) in the rear but have not tested it yet .I looks as though you have a coupe so you might not have this problem . I was also told that my rear spring could be weak causing the problem. If anyone else out there has the same problem I would appeciate your remedy .
Thanks

[Charlie Stephens]

Ford used the same diamenter hub caps from 1932 to 1935. Check out the various styles in a catalog like Bob Drakes http://www.bobdrake.com/Categories2.aspx?Id=hubbeautrin. My preference is for the 1932 style caps with the script instead of the V8. I would invest in a set of Keysey's. They are more expensive but by the time you add up everything else they are a smaller part of the cost.

Charlie Stephens