The Ford Barn

deuce lover · 07-15-2025, 02:04 AM

Thanks for posting the pics.The arch of that rear brace could be different than the other side.Putting a 1/2 spacer on the body side ? To me your wheels are to wide (can you determine the width & setback?) ,Street Rod look ? No sure if a next size down tire would be much different, Than the cost ?

Mart · 07-15-2025, 05:21 AM

Pull the fender and brace out a little bit to make more clearance.

You have a few things that are making things worse for you.
1, oversize wheels.
2, oversize tires.
3, overlong shackles.
4, possibly other mods to lower the car. (flatter spring, leaves removed perhaps.)

It's not surprising you have clearance issues. The overlong shackles will allow more side to side movement on the axle during cornering.

Once you go to a modified condition you are left to your own devices. You could pull the rear of the fender out but the front will go in. What is the clearance like there?

You need to use your own judgement how to gain the clearance you want.

If it is experience you lack, there may be someone local that can cast an eye over it and offer advice/help.

38 coupe · 07-15-2025, 05:47 AM

Your tire size indicates a 17 inch wheel. Changing wheel sizes needs to be done carefully to avoid tires hitting things. Your wheels may have the wrong back spacing. I'm not a lot of help when it comes to aftermarket wheels, I use the ones Ford made for my cars and have no problems with tire to fender rubbing.

19Fordy · 07-15-2025, 08:46 AM

Many years ago I had the same tire clearance problem and found it to be an easy fix. Body fender work had been done on the fender years before.

At some point in its life that fender was probably worked on with a hammer and dolly causing it to loose its exact OEM contour.

Remove the lower rear fender brace bolt and you will find that the lower rear part of the fender is very flexible and can easily be pulled out by hand a little to provide more tire clearance. This won't damage the fender. Then modify the fender brace to fit and reinstall or install a spacer between the fender brace and the frame rail.

petehoovie · 07-15-2025, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Many years ago I had the same tire clearance problem and found it to be an easy fix. Body fender work had been done on the fender years before.

At some point in its life that fender was probably worked on with a hammer and dolly causing it to loose its exact OEM contour.

Remove the lower rear fender brace bolt and you will find that the lower rear part of the fender is very flexible and can easily be pulled out by hand a little to provide more tire clearance. This won't damage the fender. Then modify the fender brace to fit and reinstall or install a spacer between the fender brace and the frame rail.

19Fordy · 07-15-2025, 12:21 PM

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Thanks Pete. Big difference.

alchemy · 07-15-2025, 01:15 PM

Undo the bolt between the curved brace and the frame. Get a slightly longer bolt. Then try stacking some washers between the brace and the frame. One at a time until the side of the fender looks plumb. Any more than that and you’ll have to switch your wheels.

IanFarrell · 08-04-2025, 08:19 PM

So, just an update (and another Thank You!).

I was able to procure some used, but good enough, 215/55/R17 tires and got those mounted. Of course, the problem went away. I'd prefer something a bit bigger, but this was the cheapest, easiest way to get the car to the point where I could do test drives while working and joy rides around town!

TJ · 08-04-2025, 08:32 PM

I would use a 235X75X15 series tire and the 15 inch wheel, it's narrower and taller than what you have now. In my avatar that is what I have on my 40 and no rubbing.

tubman · 08-04-2025, 09:11 PM

I am glad the O/P solved his problem on his own.

However, I don't think this forum was ever intended to help folks put 55 series 17" tires on '40 Fords. I think "TJ" did it right by simply stating what he should have done.

I know some of you folks want to expand the number of younger people in the hobby, but at what price?

07-15-2025, 02:04 AM	#21
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rockwall TX Posts: 6,018	Re: '40 rear fender rub one side only Thanks for posting the pics.The arch of that rear brace could be different than the other side.Putting a 1/2 spacer on the body side ? To me your wheels are to wide (can you determine the width & setback?) ,Street Rod look ? No sure if a next size down tire would be much different, Than the cost ?

07-15-2025, 05:21 AM	#22
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 9,239	Re: '40 rear fender rub one side only Pull the fender and brace out a little bit to make more clearance. You have a few things that are making things worse for you. 1, oversize wheels. 2, oversize tires. 3, overlong shackles. 4, possibly other mods to lower the car. (flatter spring, leaves removed perhaps.) It's not surprising you have clearance issues. The overlong shackles will allow more side to side movement on the axle during cornering. Once you go to a modified condition you are left to your own devices. You could pull the rear of the fender out but the front will go in. What is the clearance like there? You need to use your own judgement how to gain the clearance you want. If it is experience you lack, there may be someone local that can cast an eye over it and offer advice/help.

07-15-2025, 05:47 AM	#23
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,135	Re: '40 rear fender rub one side only Your tire size indicates a 17 inch wheel. Changing wheel sizes needs to be done carefully to avoid tires hitting things. Your wheels may have the wrong back spacing. I'm not a lot of help when it comes to aftermarket wheels, I use the ones Ford made for my cars and have no problems with tire to fender rubbing.

07-15-2025, 12:21 PM	#26
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 11,916	Re: '40 rear fender rub one side only Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks Pete. Big difference.

07-15-2025, 01:15 PM	#27
alchemy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: middle of Iowa Posts: 1,001	Re: '40 rear fender rub one side only Undo the bolt between the curved brace and the frame. Get a slightly longer bolt. Then try stacking some washers between the brace and the frame. One at a time until the side of the fender looks plumb. Any more than that and you’ll have to switch your wheels.

08-04-2025, 08:19 PM	#28
IanFarrell Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2025 Location: Western Washington Posts: 7	Re: '40 rear fender rub one side only So, just an update (and another Thank You!). I was able to procure some used, but good enough, 215/55/R17 tires and got those mounted. Of course, the problem went away. I'd prefer something a bit bigger, but this was the cheapest, easiest way to get the car to the point where I could do test drives while working and joy rides around town!

08-04-2025, 08:32 PM	#29
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,773	Re: '40 rear fender rub one side only I would use a 235X75X15 series tire and the 15 inch wheel, it's narrower and taller than what you have now. In my avatar that is what I have on my 40 and no rubbing.

08-04-2025, 09:11 PM	#30
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 12,132	Re: '40 rear fender rub one side only I am glad the O/P solved his problem on his own. However, I don't think this forum was ever intended to help folks put 55 series 17" tires on '40 Fords. I think "TJ" did it right by simply stating what he should have done. I know some of you folks want to expand the number of younger people in the hobby, but at what price?