Solids on Model A drums

[bent8burns]

What's the trick to get 16" Ford solid wheels to fit stock Model A drums? They just don't seem to fit flush, but I know I have saw a bunch of A's with them.

 

[1931 flamingo]

There is an adapter ring avail, usually for the 35 wires to later drums, maybe this is what's needed for your application?? Supposedly the 35 wires will bolt directly to an A.
Paul in CT

 

['29wagon]

i had 16" '35 wires on the rear of mine when i picked up, i never saw an issue. traded em for 21"
also i picked up these 15" and 16" , '40's similar.
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52391
i put them on just to set it back on the ground, rim only. they fit well .
any way to get a picture of that ? i'd like to know what doesn't fit.

 

[V4F]

its only off a little . i glued a washer over each stud . been working for 10 yrs for me . i do locktite the lug nuts as you dont get as much stud . im over kill , but im happy .. steve

 

[Jim Brierley]

The problem is that 1928-35 drums have a 2-level mounting area where the wheel sets against, '40 and later set against a flat drum. The bolt pattern is the same but the wheel will eventually crack if not properly supported. Spacers are made to fit wire wheels on V8 drums but not the other way around, as far as I know. You could make your own, measure carefully but I think 3/16" is the thickness needed, and they would go around the OD of the studs.

 

[bent8burns]

Okay, thanks everyone. I was thinking of putting washers behind them. It's running a stock 4 cyl. so it should be okay.

 

[Brendan1959]

I am running later f100 16 " rims, what I have done is installed cast drums and new studs, on the rear I machined the drum and hub so they were flat to the diameter of the inner hole of the wheel, the rears now sit flat with plenty of stud. I would have done the same on the front but it would have cut through the drum as the step is on both sides of the drum. If I used AR drums and hubs it could be done on the front, so I made 2 spacers, old steel drums can be machined to make good spaces if you have some. You will still have very little stud to protruding, so for the front I machined the nuts to go through the rim a bit like they do on mag wheels, I had to enlarge the hole in the wheels a small amount but I am now confidant my wheels will not crack or fall of, If I wish to go back to original wheels I will make spacers to suit.
Regards
Brendan