Model A Wheel to 17" Wire Wheel Swap Question

A

alvisoroadsters

Member
Hi All,
Question - I had heard that 16" and 17" Ford wire wheels would fit a Model A. As I was scouring for information, I read something about "AR" Model A's not being able to because of their hubs.

I have a '28 roadster with the "AR" items like the red steering wheel and the emergency brake placement. Can I swap my 21" wheels for a set of 16" or 17" wires, or will I need new hubs?

Also! If anyone has a picture of a full fendered A with the 17" ('33/'34 ford) wires, I'd love to take a look. All help is greatly appreciated!!
 
yes the "Early" '28 have a shallower depth center hub but later 28-29 (21")will be standard as 30-31 (19") along with other later Ford wheels having the 5 hole configuration. 1932 were 18" then 33-34 were 17" and I believe 35-36 were 16".....anyone else care to elaborate ?
 
Al it sounds like you get it. alvisoroadsters you should search the forum for the E28 wheels posts I'm sure there are pictures for you to be 100% sure of the wheels you have.

Where is your parking brake, on the left?
 
Will do - the parking brake is on thr right, but I believe it's in a different place than sat the '30/'31S?

What should I be looking for at the wheels to verifywhether the hub is AR or not?
 
How many brake rods run to each rear backing plate?

The early 28's only have one, and the parking brake handle is on the left by the door post.
 
Is the hub "thick" or "thin".

The AR has hubs that look model T like- about 1 1/8" thick.

the newer hubs are closer to 1 1/2".
 
sometimes looking things up in the archives is not as easy at it sounds. Here are some pictures that might help.
First pix the area between the arrows is 3/16" to 1/4" narrower than and A wheel. AR 1 1/8 " across. A wheel 1 3/8" across. approx. measures. Hubs are also didfferent.
 

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Great call - measured the section you've indicated with the arrows, and I have 1-3/8" in the same section.

This would indicate the hubs are not AR, and I'd be fine with running 16" or 17" ford wheels, is that right?
 
Tom - two rods running to the back hubs.

Ken's info was great, confirmed I've got A wheels. Would that mean that a set of 16's are bolt-on possibilities? Thanks!
 
A 16" 1935 Ford wheel is a direct bolt up to a stock (not AR) Model A Hub and drum. I cannot speak for 17" wheels, 'cause I have never put any on a car.
 
(32) 18's and (33-34) 17's will also bolt right up to the late 28-31 Model A hubs. Same as with the (35) 16 inch wire wheels.

Chris W.
 
Back in the 1930s, there was much of that Model A Ford wheel swap action going on. Decades ago, we used to run across many A models with 16 and 17 inch V8 Ford spoke wheels installed. To knowledge, the things bolt right on.
 
al's28/33 said:
yes the "Early" '28 have a shallower depth center hub but later 28-29 (21")will be standard as 30-31 (19") along with other later Ford wheels having the 5 hole configuration. 1932 were 18" then 33-34 were 17" and I believe 35-36 were 16".....anyone else care to elaborate ?
Click to expand...
You are correct but it would be good to note that the '36 wheels had a 5 on 10 1/4 bolt pattern. The first year of the "wide fives".

Charlie Stephens
 
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