what rear end are you running to fit the 5 on 5 1/2 bolt pattern? got pics? I already have info/leads on using a '47 Ford truck rear end ( which has the proper width,open drive and correct drums) ...anything else work with these Kelsey rims? thanks, CAB
Mopar also had kelseys, 32-32, with the 4.5 inch bolt pattern, i run those on the rear of my modified.
I used Ansen adaptors I found on Ebay to run 35 wires on an 8" Mustang rear I hung on A rails. The Ansens are excellent quality. The 47 truck rear isnt happy with too much engine or tire grip. The 8" can handle up to a moderate small block and even more in a light rod. There are some narrow Mopar 8 3/4" used on 70's Darts and similar 318 powered cars. the 8.8 can handle some serious power and if you need strip or OD gears 86-96 RWD Volvos use that rear with 3.73 and 4.10 gears; often with a Locker and discs. Those year Volvos use the Ford pattern and SAE hardware. Note that all of the above can use the same 4.5 to 5.5" Ansen (or others)adaptor.
looks nice. what engine and rear end are you using? thanks for the pic CAB not an A but bent spoke Kelseys.
A boring SBC with an adapter to a 39 trans and a 40s era rear. You'll like my speader bar decoration.
Wheel Vintiques has some pretty decent looking wire wheels in their catalog and you can get them in narrow sizes (16x4-4 1/2) in different bolt patterns. I'm going to order a set of their steelies to use on my Granada rear end. If you run into a roadblock with the rear end check them out. www.wheelvintiques.com
friends model a running a 9" with the 9" backing plate (inner part) mated to a '40 backing plate (outer part), then running '40 brakes with '33 wheels. hey ron hows the car ?
I had a good friend with a lathe turn these up for the rear of the modified. They fit to a standard Ford Falcon Borg Warner rear axle and adapt 35 Ford Wires. The 35 ford wires would not fit onto the rear axle with a bolt pattern change on the rear axle as the drums on the rear axle are too large to fit inside the 35 wires.
yo Cab... I am runnin kelseys with a 8"rear and adapters from the Lugnut King in Pamona. If you need a set call them.... they are good guys. blake
The problem is not the 5 1/2" bolt pattern. The problem is the flange on the back of the wire wheels. The wheels don't fit flat against late model drums. The flange on the back of the wheel hits on the flat late model drum holding it away from the surface. The holes line up with the studs but it won't work without adapters or in this case a better term would be spacers. If you look at how thick the above adapter is, that is necessary to fill the space between the wheel and the drum. Ford wire wheels won't fit late model 5 on 5 1/2" drums without an adapter/spacer. They won't fit Buick drums with the early Ford hubs either without an adapter/spacer. If your buddy is changing rears solely to get the 5 1/2" bolt pattern for wires, he will be disappointed. He might as well get the adapter for the rear that's in place. 16" steelies will work but not the early wires. The tag topper is Not Available. Only 6 were made and they are all gone. You might be able to negotiate with my widow someday
I am , on the rear. The rear end is a mid 70's ford van 9" , we did have to build a spacer like everyone else is talking about, find a buddy with a cnc and buy an $80.00 chunk of alum. and whittle away. These look great but I am affraid of twisting the centers out of them though.....got slicks ordered from radir and looking for some 15 " 40 wheels to mount em to.
noo, that looks so right as is now... So my buddy is running a van rear as well, how do you like the off center driveline? CAB - sent you a PM...
That sedan is looking good I've decided to stay away from the whole "adapter" to fit route and go with a new rear end that already has a 5 on 5 1/2 bolt pattern even if i have to have one made to fit the new axles I also decided instead of getting something old and rusty, i'm going to get something brand new and spend the extra dough! the rear end is high enough not to hide something worth spending the money on and it to look good and feel safe about burning out from time to time. I'm steering towards a Winters "new generation v8" quick change ***embly after getting all this different info (so many different opinions) on this forum on which way to go with my rear end when i finally get that going. I know it's the expensive route to go, but i'm sure it will be worth it in the ( rear) end and to be able to sport these kelseys on this car that i've always dreamed about having when i first got it. CAB
Cab.... You are still misunderstanding, Modern brake drums will not clear the wheels. if you look at 40 ford drums, they are not flat like modern drums, and still require 1/4 " adapters so the rims will clear the drums. When you tighten the wheels down, the wire wheels have a ring around the center of the wheel that will touch the drum WAY before the center of the rim (lug nut mounting area) does. You will need a spacer so the center of the rim touches before the ring on the wheel does. I used 90-94 dodge truck drums with wires, and custom MOSER axles (highly recomended) and had to machine up a 1 1/4" spacer to get them to work. I also had to machine up brake "register" sleeves to make the drums center. AS long as you use good quality stuff, and keep them tight, You will be fine......LUKESTER
damn, I want one of those....thanks for making us squeal. Hope they come up soon again. Who made them?
There was no pic request, but here's my Model T with a Model A front axle and drums at the moment. I'm planning to change my old WWII fighter spindle mounted magnesium units there without front brakes. I got K&H's only in front so I can't give you more rear end advises... That HAMB-sign is too cool!
They were made by Hamber "whizzerick" . He made only 6 Toppers for a Hamb auction back in Nov. of 2004. It's cool ...i missed out on the Hamb shirts and the stickers when they were made CAB
If you don't want the old rusty stuff just buy the new aftermarket wire wheels in whatever bolt pattern you want and just bolt them on.
Then you are going to have to run early Ford/Lincoln drums or adapter/spacers. Your choice. I love mine.
Not if they are old and rusty ...J/K! I'll run what ever it takes to get these rims on my coupe, they are so awesome and at the bead blasters at the moment getting prepared for new paint! CAB
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