16" Wheels

J

johnsor

Senior Member
For some time now I have been considering putting 16" wheels on my 30 Delux Roadster and know where I can get six, 35 Ford wheels very convenient and reasonable. After looking at that beautiful black 30 Roadster on pages 26 & 27 of my new "Restorer" mag, I think I'm going to go ahead with the project.

On that car illustrated, I wonder how they got the apparent wider 6:00x16 tires into the front fender spare tire wells? Did they enlargen the wells, or significantly under-inflate the mounted tires and force them in? Any thoughts or experience?
 
You will have to widen the wheel wells. If you deflate the tires they no longer will be useable "spare" tires. Gar Williams
 
I let a small amount of air out of my 600-16 tires and carried a tire pump. Please don't widen the wheel wells. You might also consider a slightly smaller tire for the spare, 550-16? 525-16?

Charlie Stephens
 
Charlie:

Why do you say "Don't widen the wheel wells." i'm considering just that approach to put side mounts on my roadster. What should i know, that i don't know?

Thanks in advance for your input.
 
Oh Thom, your roadster looks great just the way it is. Those side mounts can be a pain. I have powdercoated 17" wheels on my std. roadster (changed since the Avatar pic.) with a rear mount and I think it looks great.
 
Thom IV said:
Charlie:

Why do you say "Don't widen the wheel wells." i'm considering just that approach to put side mounts on my roadster. What should i know, that i don't know?

Thanks in advance for your input.
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If you are like me ten years from now you (or the next owner) will want to go back to the stock wheels. The 600-16's fit fine and look good (check some out at the next run) if you let a little air out. I ran bent spoke Kelsey's that way for several years (never had a flat) on my '31 RDPU but now I am back to stock (at least for a while). If you run really big tires you can still run smaller tires as spares and they will look fine.

Charlie Stephens
 
If someone was going to order rims 16" NEW what would be the best size/bolt pattern to ask for. Also what would be a reasonable size 16" tire (Radial ?) for these new or pre owned wheels that would be close in diameter to the stock 475-500-19" so like Charlie said you could still mount a use your stock older wheel as a spare. I would like this set up to look near stock, also be stuff that might be less costly that a $300 19" steel rim, ride better and most of all be safer . Thanks A-Jay
 
I just saw Bill Lee's thread on the wheels and tires I think most of my questions are answered there. Roll on!
 
A-Jay said:
If someone was going to order rims 16" NEW what would be the best size/bolt pattern to ask for. Also what would be a reasonable size 16" tire (Radial ?) for these new or pre owned wheels that would be close in diameter to the stock 475-500-19" so like Charlie said you could still mount a use your stock older wheel as a spare. I would like this set up to look near stock, also be stuff that might be less costly that a $300 19" steel rim, ride better and most of all be safer . Thanks A-Jay
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You need wheels that have a 5 on 5 1/2 bolt pattern. Note that the mechanical brake drums have raised areas that may require an adapter if you are not using '28 to '35 Ford wire wheels. If some evil sorcerer made all of the stock Model A wheels disappear (this hasn't happened yet, they are still available for about $75 each needing paint) I would start by looking for a set of 16 inch bent spoke Kelsey wheels (about $175 each needing paint). If I couldn't find them I would look for a set of '35 Ford wire wheels (about $50 each needing paint). Some people use the 17 or 18 inch wire wheels from the '32 to '34 Fords but I don't personally like them (about $50 each needing paint). I have never considered stock or any of the wheels I mentioned to be a significant safety problem (yes, I know other tires handle better). There are many safety dangers inherent to the Model A in addition to wheels and the only way to fix them all is to go out and buy a new car.

Charlie Stephens
 
Thanks for the post replys. Obviously the easiest and least expensive is to put the 35 - 16" wheels on all fours and then two of my good 19" wheels that I remove into the spare tire wells. I'm sure the nineteens will look O.K. in the wells.
 
johnsor said:
Thanks for the post replys. Obviously the easiest and least expensive is to put the 35 - 16" wheels on all fours and then two of my good 19" wheels that I remove into the spare tire wells. I'm sure the nineteens will look O.K. in the wells.
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Maybe I am just too picky but I don't like the mismatch of hubcap sizes. I think it would look better with the 35-16" wheels also in the wells. I will try to get some pictures at the upcoming Orange County Model A Ford Club pancake breakfast as there will probably be someone there with this combination. The good news is that if you don't like it with the 19's in the wells you can easily replace them with 16's.

Charlie Stephens
 
Aren't the wheel wells in 30 31AA trucks a little wider so the 16" tires even inflated will fit them. That is what I was always led to believe.
 
Hey THOM IV, how about a couple pic's of that Roadster and tell us what size wheels and tires your running. Also the pro's and con's if any. Thanks!
 
here is a pix of my S/W with 16" wheels on the ground and 19" wheels in the wheel wells. Some may say it looks funny and dont match, but, it is my car and I can do what I want to with it. Actually I did it that way 'cause someday I may want to go back to 19" wheels on the ground.e was taken 'bout month ago and I still have not figgered out what that white stuff was.
 

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Actually it doesn't look that bad, there's one on ebay now with same set up and you've really got yo look twice at pic to see the diff (in my opinion). I'm going to be in the same quandry as I've picked up some 16's that i may be swapping to after the white stuff is gone also.
Paul in CT
 
kenparker said:
here is a pix of my S/W with 16" wheels on the ground and 19" wheels in the wheel wells. Some may say it looks funny and dont match, but, it is my car and I can do what I want to with it. Actually I did it that way 'cause someday I may want to go back to 19" wheels on the ground.e was taken 'bout month ago and I still have not figgered out what that white stuff was.
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That "white stuff" is angel dandruff.
 
I don't consider it odd or funny at all. In fact, I'm planning on doing it myself. I have 7 19" wheels and 5 16" wheels just with that in mind.
Terry



kenparker said:
here is a pix of my S/W with 16" wheels on the ground and 19" wheels in the wheel wells. Some may say it looks funny and dont match, but, it is my car and I can do what I want to with it. Actually I did it that way 'cause someday I may want to go back to 19" wheels on the ground.e was taken 'bout month ago and I still have not figgered out what that white stuff was.
Click to expand...
 
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