Rim Size/identity - '58?

[JohnG]

hi
I need to get a rim for my 58 Hardtop. My question is essentially what range of cars used the same rim?
For example: do all 58-60 TBirds take the same rims?
do other Fords of the same era use the same rims?
do they have a part number or other identifier?
I realize that the following parameters go with rims: diameter,
width, # of lugs, diameter of hole in the center...

thanks!

John

[Alexander]

RE: Rim Size/identity - '58?

The wheel assembly for 1958 to 1961 Thunderbirds is part number B8A-1015-A. It measures 14 inches diameter and is 5.5 inches wide. It is also used on full size Fords from 1957 to 1959. It is a solid rim with no vents. Obviously, it is a five lug configuration with standard Ford 5 x 4 1/2 inch spacing.

The following picture shows the markings found on the inside of an original wheel for a 1960 Thunderbird. This is the view with the tire removed. http://www.squarebirds.org/images/wh...gs-14X5.5J.jpg

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[JohnG]

RE: Rim Size/identity - '58?

Thank you, Alexander.

When you say "no vents" what do you mean??

If I look at my wheels from the side, there are something like
4 areas out toward the edge of each that one can see through (wish I had a more technical description).

I believe I have original rims as the spare is a brand new bias ply, white wall and also relatively ancient in appearance. The style of rim matches 3 of the other wheels exactly. I do not have a tire off at the moment (I did yesterday...) to check the part number. (My 4th rim is clearly an oddball that someone added later on). I am having the other two tires changed tomorrow so I can get the part # off the rim at that point

My problem is that I have one dinged rim (out of round) and one that is incorrect so I need to hunt down 2 good ones.

(If anyone has 1 or 2 they would like to part with....)

thanks!

John

[tarps3]

RE: Rim Size/identity - '58?

Alexander,

I have an extra set of 14" wheels somewhere for my '64 Galaxie.
Will these work on John's car? I'll have to dig them out to see if thay are solid or vented.

Casey

[Alexander]

RE: Rim Size/identity - '58?

The rim is two pieces, but there are no visible holes between the welded areas when looking at the bolt side of the wheel. Later Ford 14 inch wheels had openings that you could see through in this welded area. Later 14 inch Ford wheels will work. If you put full wheel covers on, no one will be wiser.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[JohnG]

RE: Rim Size/identity - '58?

Interesting... my car has,as I acquired it, 4 of the wheels you just described with the openings. All in very nice shape except that one
of them is dented (driver must hit a curb or something). The 5th wheel is a solid (no vent) wheel that has a different size opening in the middle to go on the hub. It balanced ok and is functional.

I have a spare mounted on one of the vented wheels which appears to be a new, never used, bias ply whitewall. Still has the blue stuff on the whitewall. I am trying to decide if I should leave this as it is, or replace it with a more functional radial spare and save the tire
for a conversation piece. The new tires I have are radial, 2 1/2" whitewalls.

I am also inclined to want to replace that one, odd, solid rim....

Question: is the size of the center hole in a wheel a critical
factor? Should it fit exactly over the hub thereby helping to stabilize the rim? or do the lug nuts do all of the work??? I say this because, as mentioned, the one solid wheel I have has a different sized center hole than the other 4 vented wheels.

thanks!

John

[Alexander]

RE: Rim Size/identity - '58?

The center hole should fit snugly over the hub.

Do not keep a bias ply spare in the car if you are running radials. It is nearly useless if you get a flat. The handling of car by mixing radials and bias ply tires is unpredictable and potentially dangerous. You will get points off at any show judging if they see a bias ply spare with radial tires unless it is original. If you have a vented rim with that spare, the tire may be old, but it is not original.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[JohnG]

RE: Rim Size/identity - '58?

yes, I knew that one does not mix radials and bias plies... I was thinking more that someone might want the tire as a historical artifact.

The information about the fit of the hub is valuable and will be checked out. Beyond that, at this point my goal is to get 4 new radials on the car so it rides well and safely. Once that is done I will put a second hand radial in the trunk as a spare since nails have no more regard for classic cars than any other car.

John

[tmjsong1aolcom]

RE: Rim Size/identity - '58?

I am in Miss so can only describe how to identify 58 rims. There is no part number stamped anywhere into the wheel. The only way I know of to identify is by sight. I can post a couple pics on Sun. But looking at the face of the wheel where the lug nuts go. There are 5 raised areas in the center of the wheel. On one of these stamped into the metal will be the letters KH. Very easy to spot. Opposite this on one of the raised pieces will be the round oval with FOMOCO inside. The other way to identify them is that in order to mount tires you need to mount them from the rear as the outter inner lip is about 3-4 inches wide.

Fuz
58's&64's