Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-21-2020, 08:18 PM   #1
bartmcneill
Senior Member
 
bartmcneill's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ada, OK
Posts: 577
Default 1938 Ford Pickup wheels/tires

I just bought a 38 Ford Pickup with the wide bolt pattern. Will the wheels work with tubeless tires?
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 38 pass front.jpg (115.5 KB, 46 views)
bartmcneill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2020, 11:32 PM   #2
51504bat
Senior Member
 
51504bat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SoCal-Redlands
Posts: 2,997
Default Re: 1938 Ford Pickup wheels/tires

I'm running tubeless radials on my '39 p/u with wide fives. The front tires loose 10 pounds or so every 2 weeks but the backs don't loose much pressure at all. Don't know if its due to the turning stress on the fronts that cause the air loss or if the wheels themselves leak. I'm guessing the loss is due to the stress from turning since the rear wheels are fine. At some point I'm going to dismount all the wheels and coat the insides with flex seal to see it solves the problem of the front loosing air. As for now I just air up every 2 weeks or so.
__________________
Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.
51504bat is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 07-22-2020, 08:58 AM   #3
Seth Swoboda
Senior Member
 
Seth Swoboda's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern Illinois
Posts: 3,744
Default Re: 1938 Ford Pickup wheels/tires

Another thing to consider is the condition of the wheels. Are they nice and smooth or pitted slightly? Does it look like the bead will seal and hold air? I have a '39 pickup. I'm running the radial tires that look like bias ply and the tubes inside.
Seth Swoboda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-22-2020, 09:32 AM   #4
corvette8n
Senior Member
 
corvette8n's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY
Posts: 2,931
Default Re: 1938 Ford Pickup wheels/tires

I've had good results from xtra seal stopping air leaks on the beads, works way better than flex seal.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg image.jpg (40.4 KB, 12 views)
corvette8n is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-23-2020, 12:43 AM   #5
bartmcneill
Senior Member
 
bartmcneill's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ada, OK
Posts: 577
Default Re: 1938 Ford Pickup wheels/tires

I have a 39 chassis and its wheels are like regular ford pickup wheels. The 38 has the big bolt pattern and I've never dealt with them before. Really want to get this truck on tires.
bartmcneill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-23-2020, 07:59 AM   #6
sunshine
Senior Member
 
sunshine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SUNSHINE MD.
Posts: 318
Default Re: 1938 Ford Pickup wheels/tires

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Great looking truck , looks like my 39 when I bought it . My rims were so pitted I had to find some better ones , I found a guy who was street rodding a 37 car . They hold air very well . The old stock car guys loved these wide 5s claimed they were stronger .Sunshine
sunshine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2020, 12:33 AM   #7
Tinker
Senior Member
 
Tinker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 7,053
Default Re: 1938 Ford Pickup wheels/tires

I run tubes also. Not a big deal. Some line the old rims with duct tape or get rim liners if you think needed. Tubes are fine. Why would you trust tires on a wheel and not tubes. 20 yrs now on tubes.
Tinker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2020, 08:32 AM   #8
sunshine
Senior Member
 
sunshine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SUNSHINE MD.
Posts: 318
Default Re: 1938 Ford Pickup wheels/tires

Bart there is a set of 4 radial and good looking wheels 4 sale on the Barn Swap area in FL. subahine
sunshine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2020, 09:55 AM   #9
3739ford
Senior Member
 
3739ford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Dothan, AL
Posts: 325
Default Re: 1938 Ford Pickup wheels/tires

My 39 pickup had terminal cancer and I knew it was going to be a while before I got it on the road. I researched and bought four radial tires/tubes the same height as 16" bias tires and let's me move the frame around while working on it. Got the mechanical side done and now the really slow body work begins. I plan on running radials once drivable anyway.
3739ford is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:03 AM.