Model T Wheel

drpepper1885

drpepper1885

Member
Apart from not being technically correct, would there be any issues with using 30x3 tires on the rear of a 1917 roadster? What were the correct rim sizes for rear wheels (non-demountable)? I purchased my first Model T this last weekend and discovered that the rear tires are 30x3 rather than 30 x 3.5. Not sure what to do. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.
 
The rear tires should be 30 X 3 1/2 on 23" rims, US built cars had 30 X 3 on the front on 24" rims. Canadian built cars had 30 X 3 1/2 on all four wheels.

Measure your rims to see if someone has somehow mounted the smaller tires on the 23" rims. Old tires do shrink sometimes. This is not a good situation.

Aside from looking wrong your narrower tires have less rubber on the road & will be even more prone to skidding when trying to stop the car.

Good used wheels are often available & not too hard to change.

Do not let this scare you into not driving the car. The situation you need to get used to is that your car will have a little less than the next to nothing brake system it was built with.
 
Thanks for the information. I ordered two 30x3.5 tires, tubes and flaps this morning from Synders. Based on your response, I probably have the wrong size rims on the back of the vehicle. If so, I will be in the market for replacements.
 
Be sure to measure the rims before getting going too far. The front rims should be 1 inch larger in diameter than the rear ones. If they are the same diameter then something is wrong.
 
We measured the wheels last night. All were 24" with 30x3 tires. I got lucky and found a pair of 23" wheels at a parts supplier. Albeit pricey, they were redone with new wood spokes and beautiful. Thanks again for the information.
 
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