I want to put 1956-57 Lincoln Hubcaps on my 1936 Ford Roadster. Currently running 1939 16" Wide Fives on 39 Hubs but I also have a set of 40 and later hubs with 5 on 5 1/2” bolt pattern and a set of 15" wheels for those, probably mid 1960s. My problem is 1) those hubcaps won't fit the 15" wheels because the offset is to shallow and the back of the hubcap runs into interference on the wheel before the hubcap can seat and 2) the rear hubs extend about 3" from the face of the hub where the axle goes through it and the castle nut goes on the end of the axle. See the pictures. Has anyone figured out how to run this combination? If so, which 15" wheel with 5 on 5 1/2 “ bolt pattern did the trick?
Aside from the obvious answer of running Lincoln wheels to get the covers mounted, I have no other knowledge about that. Old threads here on the HAMB recommended contacting WheelKid for a custom set. That was from 2008 so who knows if he is still around. Your second issue has no work around since mid 50's Lincolns did not use banjo rear axles, they had already been phased out by FOMOCO by then. You would need to some serious changes to the driveline to eliminate the tapered axles.
If you can't find a solution and want to sell the Lincoln hubcups instead, PM me as I'm in the market for a nice set
Thanks Pocket Nick. I want to keep the driveline intact so I can go back to the Wide 5 look when I want a change of pace. Kind of like changing shoes and socks.
my 57 lincoln rims were reversed in the 60s and are used on my 31 coupe with 46 rear axle. Reversing your rims may be a solution
Might get in touch with Wheelsmith. They furnished the rims that were welded onto the stock “discs” (part w the bolt holes) on my 40 Chrysler. Not too bad of a job to do; but use of a rotating hub and dial indicator is mandatory for running true. However, the front suspension and rear end have been completely changed out. I wanted to keep the discs which have spring keepers to mount the original Chrysler hubcaps.
Ford F1 and F100 pickup used a flatter center like the 46 to 48 Ford car rims until 1962, but I don't think even those wheels will clear the axle end sticking out. But you could reverse the rims to give you more room. They were riveted rims so fairly easy to reverse.
Apparently this won't be as easy as I thought. In addition to solving the depth on the face of the wheel to allow the hubcaps to seat, it also has to be deep enough the rear hubs won't interfere, so pretty much zero offset or negative. Before heading off to the junkyard I've searched around on the internet for 15x6 5 lug 5.5" that have a dished profile. That should help the seating problem. Here's a couple of pictures of what I've found. The first is the correct size wheel on a Jeep. Have to be deep enough for the wheel hub to not extend too far out. Second is of a late model option.
The Jalopy Journal
