T wire wheels vs. A wire wheels

Post by **South Park Zephyr** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 3:11 pm

I have a chance to buy what are said to be a set of “T” wire wheels. A friend is traveling and offered to pick them up for me. My concern is that the seller might be selling “A” wheels without knowing the difference. I have a set of 28/29 wheels and measured the center hub opening, where the cap goes. It measured 2-13/16. A fellow club member measured his ‘26 wire wheels at 2-1/2 inches.
My question is,
Is this a quick way to differentiate between the two?

Thanks in advance,

Scott

Philip · Post by **Philip** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 3:28 pm

t wires have a smooth hub a wires have little raised things to make them stronger.
the bolt patterns are not the same

Post by **DanTreace** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 3:48 pm

The centers are different, the A has concave look for the brake drums. The T on left, the A on right. The T has a tapered nose cone where the spokes meet. Many other obvious differences.

Or cut a narrow piece of cardboard 5" wide, for measuring the center lines of the bolt holes. The T is 5" the A is 5.5"

: 26-27 Model T wire inside.jpg (134.49 KiB) Viewed 2226 times

Post by **TRDxB2** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 4:54 pm

The most noticeable difference to remember are the ribs between a Model A wheel. The outer reinforcing ring is also positioned differently. Bothe have 5 bolt holes but their pattern is different

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 5:20 pm

Frank has nailed the most obvious difference. All A model wheels have the ribs pressed outwards between the stud holes. These were added because of the propensity of T wire wheels cracking between the stud holes.

Allan from down under.

Post by **South Park Zephyr** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 8:37 am

Thank you to all that responded.
With a different bolt pattern, using a hub to see if it fits sounds as though it would work as well. I have a pair of safety hubs that I could have my friend take to see if it fits.

Scott

Post by **modeltspaz** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 9:19 am

Be careful. I have been told that the very early '28 Model A wheels do not have the raised ribs between the lug holes and are very similar to T wheels. Apparently, after complaints began coming into the branch offices about stress cracks appearing in the center hub of the wheel, an engineering change was made to put stiffening ribs to avoid stress cracking.

The early '28 wheels are still recognizable as Model A wheels due to the fact that the diameter of the wheel's inner hub, where the wheel mounts to the drum, is noticeably larger due to the larger diameter of the front and rear brake drum on a Model A.

The good news is that those early wheels are hard to find due to the fact that the change mentioned above occurred early on, making these wheels relatively scarce.

Post by **J1MGOLDEN** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 12:14 pm

The 1928 AR Model T has the same bolt pattern as the 1927 T.

I found that out the hard way, after having two wheels bead blasted, repaired and painted.

Everything looked great until I added a new hubcap and it fell right through the hole.

That Model AR wheel is on my 1926 T Right Front now.

: Jim and T.jpg (81.01 KiB) Viewed 2035 times

Post by **J1MGOLDEN** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 12:16 pm

Sorry, left Front has the AR Model A wheel.

The one above is the correct 1926 wire wheel.

Post by **modeltspaz** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 2:19 pm

Holy cow, Jim! From the looks of that photo you posted of that AR wheel, it appears that the only difference between a 26-27 wire wheel and an AR wheel is the hubcap opening.

But, like I said, I've heard those are scarse. I believe they were only produced for less than a year.

Thanks for the clarification. Always open for more learnin'.

Post by **TRDxB2** » Tue Nov 28, 2023 3:12 pm

modeltspaz wrote: ↑
Tue Nov 28, 2023 2:19 pm
Holy cow, Jim! From the looks of that photo you posted of that AR wheel, it appears that the only difference between a 26-27 wire wheel and an AR wheel is the hubcap opening.

But, like I said, I've heard those are scarse. I believe they were only produced for less than a year.

Thanks for the clarification. Always open for more learnin'.

BIG Difference in AR wheels & hubs
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Post by **J1MGOLDEN** » Wed Nov 29, 2023 9:16 pm

Thanks for the clarification!

That wheel did not seem to want to go on all the way.

I do believe there is a difference!

I have not used the car since the wheel was changed, but I bought another correct wheel, went through the same procedure and the hubcap fit!

I will get that one on soon! It does have a new Firestone tire and is ready for a drive.

Post by **South Park Zephyr** » Wed Dec 06, 2023 9:45 am

Thank everyone for the help,
I was able to get the wheels today.
The set morphed from a set of 4 into 9 wheels.

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T wire wheels vs. A wire wheels

T wire wheels vs. A wire wheels

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