1940 Ford wheels?

[V8COOPMAN]

Tapered on one side are 4.5" wide I always thought.

That's exactly the way I have always understood it. And don't forget that the elusive '41 Merc wheels which are 5 INCHES wide also have the square front and tapered rear drop centers. Coop


1941 Merc 5" Wide Wheels-Two Pictures BELOW

Also notice that the '41 Merc has the five lug holes WITHOUT the "volcano" effect that "Lanny" mentioned in post #14. So, I'm GUESSING that the "volcano holes" came on the scene for the Ford Motor Co in '42, which I believe to be 4-1/2" wide. Coop

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[alchemy]

alchemy ....Do you actually have a 4-INCH wheel with drop center square in front, and tapered in rear? I have never seen a 16" (4" wide) Ford wheel like that. Coop

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Yes, I do. About half and half of the 4" Wheels I have.

If anyone wants to trade me some 5" wide wheels for some of these tapered 4"ers I'd be up for it.

 

[alchemy]

Here's what I've got.

 

[V8COOPMAN]

Yes, I do. About half and half of the 4" Wheels I have.

If anyone wants to trade me some 5" wide wheels for some of these tapered 4"ers I'd be up for it.

alchemy....I can't imagine anyone wanting to trade for your 4" wide wheels, as the 5-inchers are RARE, RARE!

And most folks looking for something other than the 'everyday' '40-'48 Ford sixteeens is looking specifically for 16" 5 X 5-1/2 with the "INSIDE nubbies" for the hub caps, with WIDER hoop!

Now you've got me wondering whether YOUR pictured 4" wheels might be '42-ONLY? I mean they have the "UN-volcano" lug holes and still 4" like '40 & '41, yet with the NEW tapered rear side of the drop center.

Another theory that I have is that the wheels with "UN-volcano" holes (earlier wheels) are Kelsey-Hayes wheels, and that the later 4-1/2" wide "VOLCANO" wheels are Ford produced, as all of those that I have seen have the Ford oval with script stamped between two of the lug holes, as below. Coop

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[alchemy]

alchemy....I can't imagine anyone wanting to trade for your 4" wide wheels, as the 5-inchers are RARE, RARE!

And most folks looking for something other than the 'everyday' '40-'48 Ford sixteeens is looking specifically for 16" 5 X 5-1/2 with the "INSIDE nubbies" for the hub caps, with WIDER hoop.


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Oh I know, but you can't blame a guy for trying.

As for the 4"ers with the taper, I actually like them better than the square center wheels because mounting a tire is WAY easier.

 

[rustythumb]

years ago, i bought a n.o.s. '40-'41 wheel (16"x4") with tapered drop center from joe mac (of ford obsolete). he told me it was a replacement sold over the ford parts counter after ww2. could be,huh?

 

[V8COOPMAN]

years ago, i bought a n.o.s. '40-'41 wheel (16"x4") with tapered drop center from joe mac (of ford obsolete). he told me it was a replacement sold over the ford parts counter after ww2. could be,huh?

Something like that is entirely possible, as over-the-counter parts many times have similar features to later production features, if said part will fit & function properly and safely. But as many of these oddballs as "alchemy" has, there almost has to be more to the story. Coop

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