33 ford wheels with wrong sized tires

Harpkatt

Senior Member
Early last year I purchased a ford Model a "doodle bug" of sorts. The wheels are from 33/34 ford. While tending to the brakes I noticed that some of this ancient tires are 17 and some are 17.5.

The story from the gentleman I bought it from said these were used tires already when they were put on in the 60's! Still hold air though. But I've never seen harder tires in my life.

I'm looking for an aggressive tread tire for these wheels, it seems many aggressive tires are made for 17.5 but none for 17.

I guess I'm surprised the 17.5 that are on there fit at all. Any guidance or know where I can find some chunky tires?

-Chris
 
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it looks like the tires on there now are very similar to STA Super Traxxion tires.
 
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i would be very Leary of those 17.5's blowing off the rim when you air em up!! . if you switch to 16" 35 wires you can still buy the knobby snow tires like the dirt track guys liked
 
This thing is as low buck as it gets. I'm trying to preserve the character that it was received with. Buying new wheels is out of the question. Unless somebody wants to trade :^)
 
Remove the air valve and insert the tube from a can of spray foam. Squeeze til there's no more. The tires won't fall off the rim now. And you'll never have to worry about a flat again.
 
perhaps they are 17,5 on 17 rims---could be stuffed with rags---adapted to the smaller rim with wood ----measure the rims
 
most all the doodle bugs i have seen used a truck rear end to get the lower gears. truck wheels would open up a whole lot of tire choices for cheap old rock hard junk yard tires
 
most all the doodle bugs i have seen used a truck rear end to get the lower gears. truck wheels would open up a whole lot of tire choices for cheap old rock hard junk yard tires

Actually I swapped out the axle for one with rear brakes,both are stock type A'. The wheels are the same though.
 
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