The Ford Barn

Tom's36coupe · 03-26-2018, 09:21 AM

A friend gave me a set of 16 inch wide five wheels that are narrower 4 1/2 " wide total to the outside of wheel. and wondering what size tire will work? Want to go with Coker w/w either radial or bias. currently have 550's on front and 650's on the back. Not sure of what the wheels came originally? Pretty rusty but my painter said still in good shape.

19Fordy · 03-26-2018, 09:35 AM

This may help. Google "Tire size for rims"
https://ridewrightwheels.com/pages/m...-fitment-chart

Personally, I think those rims look too far gone to use safely.

cas3 · 03-26-2018, 09:42 AM

originally came with 600's, but lots of folks have the big and little's on the 4" rim. you measure the inside where the tire beads sit against the rim when measuring rims

Mart · 03-26-2018, 09:47 AM

If you measure in between the beads it will be 4" for a normal wide 5 and 3.5" for a V860 wide 5. Ignore the tyre recommendations, they don't count for full height sidewall bias plys. For a V8-60 wheel you'd want 5.50s. They were standard fit. For 4" normal size wide 5s anything between 5,50 and 7.50 have been used successfully since the 1930s. If you want to run wider sizes, use the normal wheels and save these (if V8-60) for someone who wants skinny tyres as front runners.

Not based on anything but gut feeling.

Mart.

V8COOPMAN · 03-26-2018, 10:07 AM

5.50s and 7.50s work just fine on the 4" (measured BETWEEN bead surfaces) wheels. DD

32phil · 03-26-2018, 10:44 AM

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Sorry IMHO way too rusty to use or paint safely.
These wheels are fairly common and can be found in very good shape for not a lot of money.
Get better ones, you won't regret it.

tubman · 03-26-2018, 10:53 AM

If those are really '4 1/2 " wide total to the outside' it probably means they are V8-60 wheels, which I believe are neither common nor cheap.

Gary in La. · 03-26-2018, 11:19 AM

V-8 60 wheels are 16 x 3 1/2

Tom's36coupe · 03-26-2018, 11:26 AM

Guess will hopefully know more once they blast them. Not sure what the measurement is inside of the rim, like i said they are 4 1/2 total outside to outside.

19Fordy · 03-26-2018, 01:17 PM

Usually you subtract 1 in. So those are 3 1/2 in. rims, not 4 1/2 in.

V8COOPMAN · 03-26-2018, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

If those are really '4 1/2 " wide total to the outside' it probably means they are V8-60 wheels, which I believe are neither common nor cheap.

The "wide five" wheels measuring 3-1/2" wide are not nearly as "sought-after" as the 1940 wheels measuring 3-1/2" wide. Of course, they're the "one year only" SOLID DISK 5 X 5-1/2 wheels that take the small hub caps. I don't understand the reason why any of the 3-1/2" wheels are so desirable, because the LITTLE 5.50 x 16 tires fit the 4" wheels just fine. Braggin' rights, I guess! DD

Tom's36coupe · 03-27-2018, 09:46 AM

Most likely going to stay with what I have now, 550s front and 700s in back with Coker w/w radials. The front wheels are original width and the backs I had made 1 1/2 inches wider. Was thinking an even smaller front tire would give me more of the big/little profile look. Called Coker yesterday and they have a 525 that he said will fit fine on the small wheel, in a bias ply wide whitewall. Which would make me buy four new tires! Spending enough on the new paint job!

Rodrelic · 03-27-2018, 11:00 PM

FYI, my research revealed first year Mercury & optional pickup would be 4.5" with 6.50, probably scarce as you can get.
I tried 750 on a stock rim (4") looked like a bicycle tire. I had a pair widened with a 2" band, still looks kind of "roundly" profile IMO.
Like the 39 & Merc. Caps best

03-26-2018, 09:35 AM	#2
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,923	Re: Tire size for 16" wheel This may help. Google "Tire size for rims" https://ridewrightwheels.com/pages/m...-fitment-chart Personally, I think those rims look too far gone to use safely.

03-26-2018, 09:42 AM	#3
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,567	Re: Tire size for 16" wheel originally came with 600's, but lots of folks have the big and little's on the 4" rim. you measure the inside where the tire beads sit against the rim when measuring rims

03-26-2018, 09:47 AM	#4
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,745	Re: Tire size for 16" wheel If you measure in between the beads it will be 4" for a normal wide 5 and 3.5" for a V860 wide 5. Ignore the tyre recommendations, they don't count for full height sidewall bias plys. For a V8-60 wheel you'd want 5.50s. They were standard fit. For 4" normal size wide 5s anything between 5,50 and 7.50 have been used successfully since the 1930s. If you want to run wider sizes, use the normal wheels and save these (if V8-60) for someone who wants skinny tyres as front runners. Not based on anything but gut feeling. Mart.

03-26-2018, 10:07 AM	#5
V8COOPMAN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON Posts: 11,106	Re: Tire size for 16" wheel 5.50s and 7.50s work just fine on the 4" (measured BETWEEN bead surfaces) wheels. DD __________________ *Click Links Below* __ ▼ *'35-'36 W/8BA & MECHANICAL FAN* *T5 W/TORQUE TUBE*

03-26-2018, 10:44 AM	#6
32phil Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Montgomery, NY & Port St. Lucie Florida Posts: 935	Re: Tire size for 16" wheel Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Sorry IMHO way too rusty to use or paint safely. These wheels are fairly common and can be found in very good shape for not a lot of money. Get better ones, you won't regret it. __________________ Early Ford Lock & Key Service https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46583 Last edited by 32phil; 03-26-2018 at 10:44 AM. Reason: spelling

03-26-2018, 10:53 AM	#7
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: Tire size for 16" wheel If those are really '4 1/2 " wide total to the outside' it probably means they are V8-60 wheels, which I believe are neither common nor cheap. Last edited by tubman; 03-26-2018 at 11:39 AM. Reason: Proper use of the various parts of speech

03-26-2018, 11:19 AM	#8
Gary in La. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Louisiana Posts: 866	Re: Tire size for 16" wheel V-8 60 wheels are 16 x 3 1/2

03-26-2018, 11:26 AM	#9
Tom's36coupe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 549	Re: Tire size for 16" wheel Guess will hopefully know more once they blast them. Not sure what the measurement is inside of the rim, like i said they are 4 1/2 total outside to outside.

03-26-2018, 01:17 PM	#10
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,923	Re: Tire size for 16" wheel Usually you subtract 1 in. So those are 3 1/2 in. rims, not 4 1/2 in.

03-27-2018, 09:46 AM	#12
Tom's36coupe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 549	Re: Tire size for 16" wheel Most likely going to stay with what I have now, 550s front and 700s in back with Coker w/w radials. The front wheels are original width and the backs I had made 1 1/2 inches wider. Was thinking an even smaller front tire would give me more of the big/little profile look. Called Coker yesterday and they have a 525 that he said will fit fine on the small wheel, in a bias ply wide whitewall. Which would make me buy four new tires! Spending enough on the new paint job!

03-27-2018, 11:00 PM	#13
Rodrelic Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Florida panhandle Posts: 194	Re: Tire size for 16" wheel FYI, my research revealed first year Mercury & optional pickup would be 4.5" with 6.50, probably scarce as you can get. I tried 750 on a stock rim (4") looked like a bicycle tire. I had a pair widened with a 2" band, still looks kind of "roundly" profile IMO. Like the 39 & Merc. Caps best