Wheel studs.

[Ford blue blood]

I have a 1958 Edsel Pacer. The front hubs are 5 X 4 1/2, 1/2X20 studs. The rear axle has a 5 X 5, 1/2X20 studs. The rear assembly looks to be stock, drums and internals are 11" X 2" passenger car, it is a standard 57, 58, 59 9" that shows the appropriate wear and tear that is comparable with the rest of the under carriage. All 4 wheels are painted the same yellow, have the same hub cap "bumps" and are 14". Any iseas? OH, it is a very early Louiseville build (June of 57) (700155 sequense number).

[Lanny]

1955 through 1960 Mercury's had the 5 lug 5" bolt circle, and was about the same
width, and had leaf springs, as far as I remember. Someone correct me if I am wrong.









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[Motorhead6]

All '58 Edsels had the Merc 5" bolt circle diameter pattern. The fact that your front ones are 4 1/2" means that some one has swapped them out somewhere along the way with Ford hubs.

The 5" BCD wheels will interchange with some mid 50's GM or Merc ones. I recommend that which ever you choose, that they all should be the same for sake of tracking and appearance. (That's 5 including the spare.

VR, JT

[Motorhead6]

Oh, I should have added that they are 14".

[Oldmics]

Edsels were built on two different chassis styles.

The smaller style (such as your Pacer) was built on the Ford chassis.Those chassis used the smaller wheel spacing.

The larger cars (Citation and Corsair) were built on a Mercury chassis.Those cars have the larger wheel spacing.

It sounds to me that your car (if original) was one of the quality control problem cars.Got a large series rear instead of the smaller series which it should have recieved.

You could look at the VIN information to see if the ratio is correct.If its a different ratio than on the VIN,that could be why.

Oldmics

[Motorhead6]

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Oldmics- You are correct in that the Ranger and Pacer were built on the Ford platform and the Ford assembly line; the Citation and Corsair were larger cars and were Mercury based.

However, they all had the same 5" BCD and 14" wheels. I have a Ranger with these specs and every one I have ever seen are the same.

Respectfully submitted, JT

[Lanny]

Below is a Spec Sheet on '58-'59 Edsels.

http://www.carnut.com/specs/gen/edsel50.html









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[Motorhead6]

I read the specs and take exception to the 4.5" BCD on the '58. They are all 5" that I have ever seen. Admittedly, I have only seen a hand full. The '59, I don't dispute.

The Ford wheel will NOT fit on a '58 Edsel.

Perhaps there is another Edsel guy on here that can back me up.

VR, JT

[Lanny]

Motorhead, I found that spec chart, and posted it, but I tend to agree with you,
and I seem to remember the '58 Edsels on the Ford chassis were 4.5", and the Edsels
built on the Merc chassis were 5" bolt pattern. I think that Chart may be wrong.
I think all the '59 Edsels were built on Ford chassis, hence all '59s had 4.5" bp. "OMHO"









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[Oldmics]

My Edsel Roundup 2-door wagon is based on the Ford chassis and has the 4.5 wheel pattern.I am the second owneer of the car.

Wheels from my 57 T Bird fit right on it.

Edsels are strange machines.

Oldmics

[Ford blue blood]

Well...this is as clear as mud! Yes the ratio is correct, everything under is original based on the wear and tear and oxidation, the car is a 42K Mile that was laid up for a long time. Has multiple electrical issues (the teletouch works - go figure), a little floor pan rust and bad cowl drain tubes.

I also found the spec chart which is what is causing the confusion.....

[Oldmics]

If you really want to get an informed answer,I suggest joining the Yahoo group entitled Edsel Restoration and Preservation.

Its a freebie group tthat you do have to regester to join.

Theres a few guys over there that know Edsels inside and out.

I suggest contacting a guy on the site "gauss".

Hes been really helpful during my Edsel education.He would be able to get you closer to the truth.

I"m a member.Maybe I will see you over there.

Oldmics

[Ford blue blood]

Thanks Oldmics, I'll give that a shot.

[Ford blue blood]

Got my repair manual yesterday, list the wheels on all models EXCEPT the wagons as 5 X 5, list the wagon as 5 X 4 1/2 as previously stated. So it would appear some time in the past history of the car the front hubs were exchanged for Ford hubs. Thanks everyone for the help.

[Motorhead6]

Ford Blue Blood, I don't know how pure you want to keep your Pacer, but since you are going to have to change either the front hubs or the rear axles, it would probably be wise to go for a set of Ford rear axles. For one thing, 5" on 5 14" wheels are very hard to find in decent shape. If you want to keep the original style hub caps, you are going to have to stick with the 14" wheels from about '57 and a little later.

As I said in my earlier post, wheels from about a '57 Olds or Pontiac will fit. probably other GMs as will. I would however go for a complete set of 5 just to assure uniformity. They actually hold the hub caps more securely. Also, if you decide to go with disc brakes, the GM wheels afford more clearance die to the fact that eht inside diameter is larger in the area where the caliper sits.

I's love to see a picture of the Pacer.

VR, Motorhead

[Paul Selfe]

I have a 9 in. rear end in my 56 that came out of a 59 Edsal wagon. It has "big bearing" axels and it's 5x4 1/2 bolt pattern. My 56 wheels bolted right on. Paul Selfe.

[Ford blue blood]

Paul that is correct. In 59 the Edsel was built on Ford platforms only. The Pacer and Corsair models were dropped, the Ranger and the Citation shared every part of their running gear with Ford. The wagon models were all 5 X 4 1/2 from 58 - 60.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Oldmics

It sounds to me that your car (if original) was one of the quality control problem cars.Got a large series rear instead of the smaller series which it should have recieved.

You could look at the VIN information to see if the ratio is correct.If its a different ratio than on the VIN,that could be why.

Oldmics

Very true. Quality control was lacking on the 58 EDSEL.

The 58 MERC used a DANA rear axle asm.

The 1958 EDSEL was a unique car. The 59/60 was just a higher trim level FORD.