I have a 1930 Model A that I want to put solid 15" or 16" wheels on. When I do put the solid wheels on the A's original hubs, there is hardly enough stud thread left to get the lug nuts on. Is there anywhere that I can purchase longer studs to gain more thread or is there a better solution? I do want to stay with the original A hubs and mechanical brakes. Thanks for any help or suggestions to my question.
The center of the hub on the stock model A drums is larger in Dia. then the hole in a set of stock 16" early Ford solids.... Longer studs wont help that problem.
I really don't remember any problem with putting stock 16" Ford wheels on a Model A, however it was a loooong time ago. I got my first car a 31 A in 1957 and one of the 1st things I did was buy a set of 46 Ford 16" wheels from a neighbor, and four tubes & un-matched tread tires at the corner gas station. The only part NOT used was the Port-a-walls. I drove it to high school like that for 3 years. Are you sure you have stock Ford 16" solids?
I have several stock Model "A"s in my garage. They were my dads. My '30 coupe has '40 wheels up front, and 4 1/2" wide early Ford solids on the rear. Im running '40 brakes all around. I tried to swap the wheels onto my stock '30 sedan. It was a no-go. I measured the hub with a set of calipers. I dont remember the exact measurement, but it was definitely bigger then the hole in the center of my wheels. I do remember that I have a set of '49 Merc. 15's. They will fit over the stock a hubs.
I can't say I ever tried the early 16" Ford solids, such as 40's but the ones I took off the neighbors 46 Ford fit fine. Perhaps the 42-48s were different, I really don't know. I do recall having to get 2 Merc 15" wheels to put a pair of used 8.20X15's on the back of the same car.
Thanks fellas for all your input. It sounds like I need to find a much older set of wheels rather than the 1980's set that I have.
You will probably STILL need longer studs, and put washers behind wheels to space them out , say and 1/8th or 1/4 of an inch, call Sammy at Arizona Model A, They put later wheels on all the time, real helpful,, call 480-782-0266 closed Sun/Mon and 12- 1pm everyday... tHE 80'S YOU HAVE , ARE THEY 1/2 TON pu?
Thanks Verde742, will contact Sammy this week. And yes, the wheels that I have are off a 1/2 ton Ford pickup. Will they be a problem?
I just took off a set of 16" 40's solids that were not sitting right and put some 16" 35' wires on my 29'. There is a fit problem as said. You can use a ring or maybe even some washers but the studs will also be short and you will not be able to get the lugs on all the way. People do run them this way, not sure I would. Do what you feel comfortable with. It's definitely been done. The center hole on the later wheels is smaller then the wheels of a the original model a. So the later wheels touch on the drum in the center and do not lay flat on the lugs (outer drum) I made a template on the computer for a plate that could have been cut out on a plasma table. But just thought all that trouble and it still would need longer studs swagged in. Not worth it for me. 35s are the way to go if you want 16's. Or update to 40's spindles, plate, and drum.
Saxon: Your help and comments are most appreciated. Interesting however is that I purchased a nice set of 16 inch wire wheels last year for my 30 "A" and they went right on, lugged up tight without any problem at all. I do not know however what year they are. Interesting.
those wheels are not seating on the drums. i bought aluminum wheels for mine and had to have them put on a cnc machine to open up the diameter of them to seat on the model a drums. changeing the studs is not the answer, you're going to hurt someone or yourself, if you try the stud thing. JAN.
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