Question about 1935 spoke wheels

J

Jay in Mass

Senior Member
I know that this question has come up before, but I can't find it so here it is again.
When bolting 1935 spoke wheels onto early 1940- 1948 Ford hydraulic brake drums, it seems that a spacer ring has to be placed on the brake drum studs. Is that ring placed on the outer edge of the studs or the inner edge of the studs? If someone has a picture of the ring on the brake drum, it would be appreciated so I can get an idea of what to look for.
Also what is the thickness of that ring?
Thank you in advance for any and all answers.
 
There are two types that I am aware of. There are support rings and there is a plate with holes that fits over the drum studs.
I use the rings because I can easily make them from 4" ID pipe using either the galvanized or black iron versions. The dimensions are 4" ID x 4-1/2" OD x 0.185" - 0.190" thick after cutting them off using a lathe. I attach these on the inside of the wheel as shown in attached picture using RTV.
The other type, which is a stamped plate that fits on the drum studs, is not my first choice because it shortens the length of the studs when used on stock drums from '40 to '48. They do work better on repro drums that have longer studs.
 

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WOW!!! JM Thanks for the fast answer.

Would you please answer another question. Look at the picture that you posted where you placed the three rings on the outer edge of the 35 rim. Is that outer edge supposed touch the brake drum when it is all bolted together?

Thanks also for the dimensions . Just in case I can't make the rings with my old worn out lathe, do you know who sells them?

I honestly appreciate this help and advice. Jay
 
Jay in Mass said:
WOW!!! JM Thanks for the fast answer.

Would you please answer another question. Look at the picture that you posted where you placed the three rings on the outer edge of the 35 rim. Is that outer edge supposed touch the brake drum when it is all bolted together?

Thanks also for the dimensions . Just in case I can't make the rings with my old worn out lathe, do you know who sells them?

I honestly appreciate this help and advice. Jay
Click to expand...

Yes, if I am interpreting the rim you mean correctly, at least all of mine touch there.
 
What is the purpose of the rings? I have the 39 or 40 drums on my 35 / spoke rims,,what am I missing??
 
Don said:
What is the purpose of the rings? I have the 39 or 40 drums on my 35 / spoke rims,,what am I missing??
Click to expand...

If you look carefully at stock 35 drums you will see 5 little projections or raised nubs inside the stud circle near each stud. All of the drums used during the wire wheel years from '32 to '35 (not sure about pre 32) had those same projections to support the center of the wire wheels when lug nuts were tightened. The later drums from '40 to '48 pass cars did not have those projections, so something has to be added to prevent the wire wheel centers from distorting when lug nuts are tightened. I have plenty of '35 wire wheels that were damaged this way, and also by drum balance weights that were welded to the outer flange on the later style drums used in '46 - '48.
 
Last edited:
JM 35 Sedan said:
There are two types that I am aware of. There are support rings and there is a plate with holes that fits over the drum studs.
I use the rings because I can easily make them from 4" ID pipe using either the galvanized or black iron versions. The dimensions are 4" ID x 4-1/2" OD x 0.185" - 0.190" thick after cutting them off using a lathe. I attach these on the inside of the wheel as shown in attached picture using RTV.
The other type, which is a stamped plate that fits on the drum studs, is not my first choice because it shortens the length of the studs when used on stock drums from '40 to '48. They do work better on repro drums that have longer studs.
Click to expand...

Jay in Mass said:
JM Thank you . I had a feeling that the outer edge of the rim does touch the brake drum. That's something I have to make sure of when putting everything together.. Jay
Click to expand...

The large spacer that fits over the studs (see photo in John's post #2) will raise the wheel so it will not touch the brake drum. Better to use the small ring spacers if you want to have them touch, as original.
 
John R said:
The large spacer that fits over the studs (see photo in John's post #2) will raise the wheel so it will not touch the brake drum. Better to use the small ring spacers if you want to have them touch, as original.
Click to expand...

Good point John, and another reason to use the rings rather than the spacer that fits over the studs.
 
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