Tires and wheels

[RobertB]

I like the look of the 32-34 wheels. Is there any advantage, disadvantage to putting these on my 1931 Town Sedan?

I'm going to need a complete set of tires, and will want the old wheels painted or powdercoated, so if I decide to go with the 32 wheels and tires, now is the time for me to decide.

The car is a dual side mount. I'm guessing the 32 wheels and tires wont fit on the mounts...or in the fender wells?

Finally, any advantage or disadvantage to radial vs bias ply on these cars?

 

[Charlie Stephens]

I always thought that 16 inch wheels looked like a WW II work around to tire availability. Having said that I have no problem with the 16's (Ford or Kelsey's). In the back of my mind I always thought the 17 or 18 inch wheels looked like something that was put on because a person had them and couldn't find the correct wheels (probably just me). I am guessing that they will fit in the wells, you may need to let some air out and carry a tire pump. Can you find a V8'er with a wheel to loan before you go too far with the project?

Charlie Stephens

 

[jkeesey]

If you look up the tire size on coker or universal tires websites they have the specs of basic tire dimensions. Compare it to the stock and to get a halfway decent idea. One of the only disadvantages I have run into with those wheels is the tire availability is marginal compared to the stock A or the 35 16".

 

[Tiny]

I like my 17's

 

[RobertB]

So I should consider the 35 16inch?

 

[Tiny]

Loads of people run the 16's. Not a lot of people run the 17's I believe tire availability is not as good for them. I've always thought they look to small also, 16's that is. I put the 17's on because I had been unable to find a good set of 19's. Now that I have the 19's I still haven't put them on, I really like the look of the 17's, I also have a set of 17" bent spokes that may get powder coated and put on instead. Those are stock wheels in the picture. Tires will be much cheaper for 16's or 19's

 

[jkeesey]

just did a quick search on availability. Through coker, stock 1930 Model A sized tires there are 10 different kinds available, for 1933 Ford 17" wheels factory size tire there a 5 different kinds. For 1935 16" wheels there are about 22 different ones.

 

[racer32]

I like my 17's

Me too!

 

[QGolden]

Me too!

I do too.. I have 17's on my Speedster build.

 

[Tiny]

There's nothing wrong with my wheels and if I chose to sell the car I have the correct ones for it also.

And no one has ever pointed it out and called them the wrong wheels.

I also enjoy an overdrive effect with the oversize rear tires.

 

[Brother Hesekiel]

I just replaced the 16-inch wheels on my car with 19-inch ones. I do like the idea of the 18-inch wheels (1932 only) though. What I like about it is (1) that it screams 1932, (2) that the hubcaps enclose the lug nuts, and (3) that the 5.50-18 tires size appears to give the best ratio between wheel width and tire width, purely from a cosmetic perspective. Now try to find a set of Deuce wheels . . .

 

[Barry B./ Ma.]

I like the std. 19's (30/31), I had a set of powdercoated 17's on my 30 roadster and found the steering much harder due to the tire width and found them to be much harder to mount and dismount and you have to remove the hubcap to get to the lug nuts. As far as mounting goes it's tough to line up the lug studs with the holes because you can't see the lugs. The model A wheels are a breeze by comparison. I went back to the 19's and am glad I did.

 

[RobertB]

Have you sold the 16's?

 

[CarlG]

A lot of guys here have the 32-35 style wheels, mostly 35's (16") and buy their radial tires at Costco or wherever. I don't like the way they look and have stuck with my 19's.

 

[jkeesey]

I only run bias tires on my 16's. Radials just look wrong on a car this old.

 

[crumbaa]

Our 30 Cabriolet is a dual side mount and had 16's. The tire just barely fit into the wells and getting the wheel on and off past the mount post is very tight. Have to push or pull quite a bit to get in it or out. Too much running and scraping on the well for my liking.

 

[Duffy1]

Do a search . Lots of info on this topic .

 

[Charlie Stephens]

Our 30 Cabriolet is a dual side mount and had 16's. The tire just barely fit into the wells and getting the wheel on and off past the mount post is very tight. Have to push or pull quite a bit to get in it or out. Too much running and scraping on the well for my liking.

Just let some of the air out and carry a tire pump. Or maybe smaller tires for the spares?

Charlie Stephens

 

[glenn in camino]

They will make your car look funny.

 

[John LaVoy]

If performance and radial design, you can get Excelsior tires from Coker that fit 19" and 21" Model A wheels keeping the stock appearance and giving you the ride quality, the roadster pickup has those on it and we enjoy them.