Model A Wheel to 17" Wire Wheel Swap Question

[alvisoroadsters]

Hi All,
Question - I had heard that 16" and 17" Ford wire wheels would fit a Model A. As I was scouring for information, I read something about "AR" Model A's not being able to because of their hubs.

I have a '28 roadster with the "AR" items like the red steering wheel and the emergency brake placement. Can I swap my 21" wheels for a set of 16" or 17" wires, or will I need new hubs?

Also! If anyone has a picture of a full fendered A with the 17" ('33/'34 ford) wires, I'd love to take a look. All help is greatly appreciated!!

[al's28/33]

yes the "Early" '28 have a shallower depth center hub but later 28-29 (21")will be standard as 30-31 (19") along with other later Ford wheels having the 5 hole configuration. 1932 were 18" then 33-34 were 17" and I believe 35-36 were 16".....anyone else care to elaborate ?

[Mike V. Florida]

Al it sounds like you get it. alvisoroadsters you should search the forum for the E28 wheels posts I'm sure there are pictures for you to be 100% sure of the wheels you have.

Where is your parking brake, on the left?

[alvisoroadsters]

Will do - the parking brake is on thr right, but I believe it's in a different place than sat the '30/'31S?

What should I be looking for at the wheels to verifywhether the hub is AR or not?

[Tom Wesenberg]

How many brake rods run to each rear backing plate?

The early 28's only have one, and the parking brake handle is on the left by the door post.

[ronn]

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Is the hub "thick" or "thin".

The AR has hubs that look model T like- about 1 1/8" thick.

the newer hubs are closer to 1 1/2".

[kenparker]

sometimes looking things up in the archives is not as easy at it sounds. Here are some pictures that might help.
First pix the area between the arrows is 3/16" to 1/4" narrower than and A wheel. AR 1 1/8 " across. A wheel 1 3/8" across. approx. measures. Hubs are also didfferent.

[alvisoroadsters]

Great call - measured the section you've indicated with the arrows, and I have 1-3/8" in the same section.

This would indicate the hubs are not AR, and I'd be fine with running 16" or 17" ford wheels, is that right?

[alvisoroadsters]

Tom - two rods running to the back hubs.

Ken's info was great, confirmed I've got A wheels. Would that mean that a set of 16's are bolt-on possibilities? Thanks!

[kenparker]

A 16" 1935 Ford wheel is a direct bolt up to a stock (not AR) Model A Hub and drum. I cannot speak for 17" wheels, 'cause I have never put any on a car.

[CWPASADENA]

(32) 18's and (33-34) 17's will also bolt right up to the late 28-31 Model A hubs. Same as with the (35) 16 inch wire wheels.

Chris W.

[Capt Quahog]

Back in the 1930s, there was much of that Model A Ford wheel swap action going on. Decades ago, we used to run across many A models with 16 and 17 inch V8 Ford spoke wheels installed. To knowledge, the things bolt right on.

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by al's28/33

yes the "Early" '28 have a shallower depth center hub but later 28-29 (21")will be standard as 30-31 (19") along with other later Ford wheels having the 5 hole configuration. 1932 were 18" then 33-34 were 17" and I believe 35-36 were 16".....anyone else care to elaborate ?

You are correct but it would be good to note that the '36 wheels had a 5 on 10 1/4 bolt pattern. The first year of the "wide fives".

Charlie Stephens