Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1583217963
It amazes me how many immaculately restored high point 1932 to 1935 Ford have their spare wheels mounted incorrectly. When these 1932-1935 Fords left the Factory, the position of the Valve was always at the top, regardless of if the Spare was mounted at the rear or in the Fender. The reason for this was to prevent water sitting in the valve opening, which over time causes problems with rust. The other reason is that that any water that is trapped behind the hubcap can escape through a small hole that Henry designed for this purpose.
The next time you go to an Early Ford V8 Nationals or car show, take a close look at how many owners add the spare wheel with no thought of where to position the valve. The above photos of a very nice 1935 Ford Cabriolet is just one example. what do other owners of these fine 1932 to 1935 Fords think?

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1583218849
This photos shows the correct way to mount spare wheels on 1932-1935 Fords, showing the location of the Valve at the top and the Small Drain Hole to allow trapped water to escape at the bottom. This is how all Spare Wheels were mounted at the Factory by Ford Motor Company. Your Spare Wheel should be mounted in this position to be correct, "As Ford Built It".

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

I believe 32 Fords wheels had the valve positioned slightly off perpendicular, which was rectified from 33. Bent spoke Kelseys like I run, also have the valve located slightly off of centre

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1583228260
The owner of this beautiful 1934 Ford has mounted the Spare Wheel correctly, with the Valve at the top. This is how all Spare Wheels should be mounted, with the Valve at the top. Congratulations, job well done.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

Don't know about spares but I always try and put the hubcaps on with the logo square to the valve. I also put the tyres on with the middle of the Firestone name centred to the valve.

Wheel and tyre OCD I suppose.

Mart.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

Mart, in my experience with wide fives, the wheels themselves are not always perfectly balanced, which becomes useful in locating the tire heavy side opposite the wheel heavy side. This is especially good to know if using the modern (junk) lead-free wheel balancing weights.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1583275780
Take a look at this beautiful 1932 Ford Five Window Coupe. The restoration looks perfect, but the owner has mounted the spare wheel with the valve at the bottom, ready to trap water, when it should be at the top.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1583287855
Here is a Factory Photo of a 1932 Ford Roadster with the Valve located in the correct position at the top. Restorers should follow this example when mounting their spare wheels to 1932-1935 Fords.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

I didn't know there was a correct way to have the valve when I mounted mine, but I managed to get it on top. I figured it was either top or bottom and since I also had a luggage rack, it was easier to access the valve if it was on top. Thanks for clarifying.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

As evidenced by the photo of the 32, notice the valve, even though in the upper position, is not exactly centred. Ford corrected this in 33 and for all subsequent models. Stock Ford wires only.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1583293884
JimG, Glad that you learnt something from this Thread. That is why I started it, to educate people in the correct way to mount their spare wheels on 32-35 Fords. It doesn't matter if the spare is on the rear, or fender mounted, the same rule applies.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1583296626
Owners of 1936 Fords can only mount their spare wheels with the valve at the top, as if they don't, the metal cover will not sit correctly. The hubcap on this cover is hinged at the bottom to gain access to the lock. If the cover is not mounted with the valve hole at the top, the hubcap would sit at an angle. The problem of where to place the valve is only a concern to owners of 1932 to 1935 Fords.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

I mount every one of my wheels with the valve at the top. The problem is, after driving I find they are all over the place.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

Reminds me of a friend who owned a very nice 1956 Ford Customline Sedan. He managed to locate a set of NOS Wire Wheel Covers, the ones that don't have a hole for the Valve. He was not interested in pulling the covers away on those special retainers each time he wanted to check the air in his tyres, so he drilled a suitable hole in the correct position on each, and replaced the Wire Covers. He then went for a drive, and to his amazement, after returning home, no Valve was protruding out of the drilled hole. A set of NOS Wire Wheel Covers ruined. Regarding your car, I hope that the Valve on the spare wheel stays in the correct location?

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

I don't own one of the subject models, but am now informed so that I can carry the fight to the next concours field. Thanks for the information.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

How interesting to note all the idiosyncrasies of Mr. Ford. …...


I wonder if any modern car manufacturers have similar criteria for autos coming off the container ships from China ??

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

I thought only Buicks were made in China and only for their domestic market...

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1583399978
This thread is about 1932-1935 Fords, not Buicks.
Here is another example of the Spare Wheel mounted incorrectly, this time in the Fender. When these cars were assembled, the Valve was always placed at the top, no matter if the Spare was on the rear or in the Fender. The reason for this is explained in Post 2. This very nice restoration of a 1934 Ford with Six Wheel Equipment is spoiled by this slight error when the spare was mounted.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

Notice the wheels are the bent spoke,accessory.Might be Motor Rim & Wheel.Curious to see if the bent spoke wheel valve stem location would be at 12 o'clock on the spare when mounted on the carrier. I had a '35 sedan with 16" Kelsey's and the valve stem on the spare when mounted was not centered at the top.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

Trevor is addressing a design characteristic of stock 18", 17", and 16" original equipment wheels, with on one side of the hub a drain hole for the inevitable intrusion of water into the hub from around the hub cap and the portion of the back of the hub open to the elements and opposite or nearly opposite that hole the opening for the valve stem thereby minimizing the possibility water intrusion via the valve stem. Like just about every other detail of originality, whether or not the spare wheels are noted as being mounted according to Ford's design intent is dependent on the knowledge of those doing the judging. And as with most subjects, history shows that to be uneven.


I applaud Trevor for attempting to enlighten those in the dark.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

I'm not a '32 - '35 guy but really appreciate your keen eye. I enjoy the intricate details of our old Fords. It's things like this that separate the true #1 restored cars to the much more common #2 quality "restorations".
Thanks for sharing Mercman!

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...mp;d=158344551

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1583445513
Here is a comparison shot of the back of both a regular Ford wire wheel and the Accessory Kelsey Hayes wire wheel showing that both manufacturers added a drain hole. So, what ever wheel your early Ford has, the the Valve should always be positioned at the top, so that any trapped water can escape thought this very thoughtful drain hole.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1583486576
Ford owners are not the only ones having problems mounting their spare wheels correctly. Check out this 1930 Hudson Super 8 Brougham. The owner had mounted the spare wheel with the Valve just where it landed. While I was talking to the owner, I checked the back of this wheel, and would you believe that Hudson, like Ford had a small hole to allow trapped water to escape. The owner thanked me for pointing this feature out, removed and remounted the spare with the Valve at the top and the hole at the bottom while I was there.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

While this may be the correct mounting and if I had one of these cars, I would mount the spare in this manner, but as far as rust, I doubt that in today's world, there would be little chance of a spare rusting!!

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1583537440
Nice 1934 Ford Sedan with spare wheel mounted incorrectly.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

This is the correct way that my spare wheel is mounted on my 1932 - 3/W. It depends how the wheel is mounted on the carrier too.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1583566475
Ian, love your 1932 Ford. Congratulations, you have the spare wheel mounted correctly. When you happen to see a 32-35 Ford owner with the spare mounted with the valve not at the top, can you respectfully let them know the correct position of the valve. Hopefully, we will get this message across to all owners of these fine early Fords. I just hope owners and restorers will read this Thread and act accordingly.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

There's also a difference with the Model A Ford. The correct rear mount is as you describe with the valve at the top and the hub cap logo readable. However, the side mount plate is angled so the valve cannot be at the top. The first hub nut to the right of the valve should be at the top - the valve (and the hub cap logo) will be angled slightly toward the front. Course there's no drainage concern as the wheel hub is open in back.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1583609531
Unfortunately, this illustration doesn't show the Valve. The position of the Valve does not need to be "top dead centre" and is usually slightly off, but at the top so that the drain hole is at the bottom.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1583609531
You will note that the triangular bracket is marked "L". On my 34 Ford with a fender mounted spare, I could not figure out why my spare didn't sit properly and was at an angle. Then I discovered that the triangular bracket on my car was marked "R" and was for the right hand fender. After I located a correct "L" part, my spare now sits correctly.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

Wandering off the beaten path here, the instruction at the bottom of the Model A side-mount illustration must have been re-thought as the comparable '32-'34 instruction is to not bottom out the tire in the well. I believe that there were two reasons for the change of heart, namely if bottomed out the tire will trap water and not allow it to reach the drain hole(s) in the well and that's a lot of weight to be borne by the fender. The revised brackets post-Model A are much stronger with the addition of a brace from the main bracket to the front cowl structure.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1583618725
Right and Left spare wheel brackets for fender mounted spares in 1933 and 1934 Fords. Notice that they are both stamped "L". Actually, the painted one on the left was the one fitted to my 34 Ford but should have been stamped "R". No wonder my spare wouldn't sit correctly in the wheel well. After locating a correct Right bracket, the problem has been solved. It is interesting that the Factory stamped the wrong letter on my original bracket.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

Yes, Model A are marked L and R for the corresponding sides.


True, but note the valve on a Model A wheel is centered between two hub bolts. On a rear mount the short leg of the triangular plate is horizontal and on top. The wheel should be mounted to the studs on that leg through the holes on either side of the valve, thus the valve is at the top.

On a side mount, the plate is angled per the illustration. The wheel still should be mounted to the studs on the short leg through the holes on either side of the valve, thus the valve is angled toward the front. Again, the wheel hub is open in back so drainage is not a concern.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

Could be - the illustration is from Ford service bulletins so it's legit for Model A.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

The instruction I referred to for '32s is also from the '32 Service Bulletins so it is more than just "could be".

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

Calm down. Maybe "could be" was poor phrasing but I agree with you. Just wanted to point out the Model A illustration is from service bulletins so it wouldn't be thought I just pulled it from a bodily orifice.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

What about 1936? Or T Bird ?

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

If you have the 36 spare tire cover there is only one way it mount - valve stem hole on top.See post #12.

Re: Incorrectly mounted Spare Wheels on 1932-1935 Fords
 

Aarongriffey, Regarding the spare wheels on 1936 Fords, please refer to Post #12.