Need help identifying early Ford Wire Rims

I found a set of 5 early Ford Wire Wheels in Grandma's garage.....trying to figure out what they are??? Size, Year, etc...
I took measurements and placed them on the pictures. They measure:
17 1/2" Dia (outside edge to outside edge)
5 3/16"" wide (again, outside edge to outside edge)
5 1/4" Lug-Nut span (center to center)

Would these be considered 17"x5" with a 5 on 5" bolt pattern or 5 on 5 1/2" bolt pattern?

Any information is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
-Jeremy

 

I believe they are 35 ford 16"

 

5 on 5 1/2"

 

If there 17" they are 1933/1934 Ford rims

 

35/36 ford...

 

The measurement of a wheel for tire diameter is taken from the bead seating surface not the outside edge of the rim.
These are 1935 Ford 16" wheels, the last year of the welded spoke wheels.

The rule of thumb on maesuring wheels is measure outside to outside and subtract 1", the next lower inch is the measurement for tire size.

 

Thanks everyone for the quick response.
So.....safe to say these are 1935 Ford 16"x5" rims with a 5 on 5 1/2" bolt pattern?

-Jeremy

 

16x4, measure inside the lips.

 

Thanks!
-Jeremy

 

Here's Wheel Kid's expert testimony re: early Ford wire wheels that lives in the tech archives:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=113082

 

Are any of these older wires suitable / safe for use on modern rods? Will they even fit modern drum or disc brakes? Thanx, Gary

 

You see lots of rods with the old wire wheels. It is kinda scarey to see a car with a 350 engine and a blower with 80 year old wire wheels.
The 16s should be ok on a car that gets driven with any amount of prudence. Make sure you have them spun up on a balancer before you lay down money for tires. Just to make sure none are bent.

 

WB3, nice tip on the spin checks. I wouldn't have thunk it. Can the welded spoke wheels be trued? One would ***ume so but that perhaps it is a lost art.

Again, do any of these wheels fit modern brake drums or even disc brake hats with matching 5 x 5.5 or are adapters necessary?

Thanx Gary

 

On most drums are dics set up you need an adapter.. Will work on 48 back with a spacer.

 

Works every time for me too.

 

Those babies look like they are in great shape. Nice find, I wold run um, the book How to build A traditonal Ford Hot rod has a chapter on how to check if the are true. Something about clamping a spindle to a vice, spinning them and then checking the gap with a fixed marker. Probabley not the best discription I know. Or take them to a tire shop.

 

Anyone know where I can get some adapters? If they are 5 on 5 1/2", I need to get them down to 5 on 4 1/2"......any suggestions?

Thanks!
-Jeremy

 

Thanks! Found them in my grandmothers garage. I think gramps was going to run them on his Model A (read about the story here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=272564 )

All 5 rims are in excellent condition. I even found all 5 V8 caps, new, still wrapped in paper.

-Jeremy

 

I sell the adaptors you need, 559-347-9665
Jimmy

 

It would be a crime to run those with disc brakes.

 

Jimmy,

Thanks....I'll be in touch.

-Jeremy

 

I second this question.

 

if the other hubcaps are like the ine in the pic they are '35 ford hubcaps - if you want to sell them drop me a PM.