I have 17" spoke wheels on my 1946 brakes. I have been cruising, but hear there should be an adapter to mate the drums flush against the wheel...taking the pressure off the wheel lugs. Is this REALLY necessary? Does anyone run a combo like this? Is there someone who sells this spacer? Thanks for any help with this...sweet. Adam
If you need spacers I have some and will be getting more laser cut. I got some cut for levis classic for $16.00 for four of them. Thats what it costs me to get them cut. bret
I have driven about 4000 miles this summer with 17" wires in front of my RPU. I don´t have any spacers and haven´t had any problems. Jaypee
I sold my '46 drums for parts money before I tried wires on them. But I know the 18's and 16's won't go on the pre-war drums, bottom out on the outer before the mounting surface meets the hub. I know the '46 stuck out more. I have early axles and 525-17 for front and 650 16 for back, and all early axles so I know this project will need a set of spacers.
Model A thru '35 brake drums had a step in them, with the raised section on the smaller diameter, with corresponding shaped wheels. Putting early wheels on late (flat) drums puts a stress on them. Dave Wilton in Paradise, CA makes them 530-872-0122.
Adam, fun hanging out with ya and watching MFS #3 last night, sorry we didn't get any artwork done or even to watch Disc #2 (man ...that DVD set is long) , but it was cool talking cars all night long though! Good luck on that flathead of yours and hope you get that thing working nice and solid finally take care, CAB
The problem with 35 wires on 1940 up drums is that 40-48 drums lack the support in the center that 35 drums have as shown in the picture.
Hmmm...just to be safe, I will get the spacers...small price to pay for peace of mind. Thanks for all the input.
I still have the '46 rear. stuck the 17's on there. They do come close in the center but the outer rim hit first. I can see it would squeeze down easily in the center But I would get spacers in there so they set right and check the surface for flat and cracks. 17's are easy to come by but who need's the hassle of fractured wheels.
Adam, Dave Wilton shows why you need spacers on his site: http://mtcarproducts.com/fordwirewheelsup.html Charlie Stephens
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