I recently purchased a Model T tudor sedan (body only) and I am trying to start a parts collection for the build. weighing all the different options... home built frame vs. boxed Model A frame model A rear spring vs. coil overs 302 v8 with C4 vs, straight 6 250ci w/ C4 I have a front axel from a Ford.. unk year... and a Maverick rear end 5 lug.. but i am not set on using these... ... I also have various wheels... I would like to use the stock 19s but have no idea what axel/hubs they will mount to... any help would bre appreciated... and yes I did try and search but i think my question is to vague ... thanks
I have always been given the impression that the stock Model T wheels are for that... a stock Model T. They were built for cars with very little HP and not designed to take the weight of later model v8's. Now I am sure some would disagree and use the T wheels but I wouldn't. I doubt I would use stock Model A wheels on anything other then a banger/speedster.
Stock "T" wheels until '27 were wood fallow type.... Not a good idea! The 19" wheels you are talking about are '30 '31 Model "A". I still wouldn't run them on something with much more that the stock horsepower of 40hp. They look goofy on a hot rod anyway, that stuff didn't happen until the r#t r*d **** started about ten or fifteen years ago. What you really should be looking for is a set of '35 type wires which are 16". That will give you enough tire selection that you can put something with enough meat on it to be safe. There also are Keley Hays 16" wheels out there that are a bit prettier that the '35 Ford wheels, but kinda hard to find and lots pricier when you do.
Outstanding information... thanks guys.. There is a big swap here in Turlock at the end of the month... i am sure i will fing something out there...
I've got a fenderless T Tudor, used a TCI Model A ch***is that was boxed, Maverick V-8 rear, Speedway/Super Bell axle hairpin setup, and wanted wires, too, so I found a HAMBer selling some powdercoated Tru-Spokes cheap, and used them....
Found a 40/41 rolling ch***is close by to use the running gear.. he won't separate the frame from the running gear...so can't get him to lower the price... don't really want a frame hanging around the house... is there a big wanting of the 40/41 frames? Just incase I do buy it...
26tudor---- I am really digging that top on your tudor.. and the color of the car itself... did you do the top yourself? Or course I have a budget.. a TCI frame would be nice.. but I am trying to build the whole car for the price of that frame...ha.. we will see how that goes..
rockabilly medic, I scored the TCI ch***is off thge HAMB from a guy in Carmichael, CA about 5-6 years ago, complete with all brake lines plumbed, master cylinder, etc for 600 bucks... the top is one I purchased from Mac's, that a good friend of mine and I put on. I think the trick with the top is, get the first layer, the chicken wire, as tight as you can get it, then the muslin fabric, then the foam, then the top. The chicken wire will have you bleeding, whether you wear gloves or not, so be prepared. The color came from NAPA, it was a two-stage, I wanted a "shiny primer" and I think thats pretty much what I got...
Not sure about Model A wheels on a "T" first starting about ten or fifteen years ago. I found this photo in my grandparent's old album. Sure looks like an oldtime photo to me. However I do agree about them looking goofy on a model T.
First,T's had wires optional in '26, standard in '27. Different bolt pattern than newer Fords, same as Olds cars of the '60's, I think. Second, the T with wires in Kentuckian's pic are Buffalo wires, aftermarket upgrades back then, and priceless today. The Speedster guys will kill for 'em! Third, I agree that the 16" '35 Ford or Kelsey wheels are the best choice for you. T and A wheels were marginal in their original application, seen lots of them with the holes pulled out.
Maybe I didn't make it clear that I was refering to "hot rods" with 19" and 21" Model "A" wheels when I was answering the O/Ps question. The deal with hanging a 150 - 300 H.P. V8 in a car then putting it all to the ground with 19" Model "A" wire is most DEFINTELY a part of the r*t r*d garbage that invaded our ranks. Had one young guy explain that he was putting 21" Model "A" wheels on the front of his "'31 five window coupe" (GGGRRRRMMMPPPFFFF!!!) 'cause that's how the dragsters were done back in the day... NOPE! And yes, I am intimate with buffalo wires, but those are "T" and race car part, not an option as stated quite well above. I do need to add - That is a cool photo! I don't remember ever seeing buffalos on a coupe before. Much more common on well appointed roadsters and speedsters.
Kentuckian.. that's a kool pic...so it is actually your family members in the pic with the coupe.. ..26tudor..your fast on the ol' computer .. you grab that windshield frame from cl***ifieds?.. I have decided to go with the homebuilt frame and Maverick rear end... I found a 40s front end with the juice brakes... he wants the tailgate off my 46 Ford plus cash... anybody have any ideas how much my gate is worth?
I have give 26Tudor props for the powder coated Tru-spokes on his car too! Being a child of the seventies, I still love the Trus! And there always seems to be tons of them out there with the chrome being not so good anymore, cheap. Blast and powder coat time!
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