MTFCA Forum

Looking for a brand name or information on a set or 4) 8-spoke Model t steel wheels I recently acquired. All was well until I measured them for tires. All 4) 24". So 30 x 3's would work but think they wouldn't look correct or perform well especially on a Tudor. Are 32 x 4's an option? Any advice appreciated. (Or a set of 23" steel Wheels)

Thanks Steve

Check out Humble Howard Genrich RIP Lucky 7 speedster which had steel spoked wheels that looked like what you have.

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There is a good 3/4 front picture of his speedster from a Vintage Ford cover shot a little down the page here:

https://www.mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=8905

They sure look like the same wheels.

Chris

Are you measuring the rims correctly? Physically try a 30 x 3 or 30 x 3.5" tire. If the outside rim edge measures 24", they are 23" @ the bead.
Howard ran 30 x 3.5" tires

Steve, your math and thinking are correct, whatever tire size combination that will give you a 24" rim size will obviously fit the rim, 30x3, 32x4, etc., however, there is not a lot of room for clearance between the rear tire and the front side of the rear fender. Problem no. 2, modern tire manufacturers seem to make the outside diameter oversize but still call them 30x3, etc. so a 32" OD tire may end up being significantly larger than 32" and therefore not have the clearance.

Personally, I think those wheels regardless of tire is better suited to a speedster, or an earlier open car, not a late model sedan.

Thanks to All.... Great advice and feedback.
I am measuring an overall O.D. of 24".
I should have Check'd the OD of a known 30 x 3-1/2 wheel. I will do that tonight.
Thanks,
Steve

They look like Parker Hydraulic Wheels.

Schrep771 wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 04, 2024 1:04 pm

Thanks to All.... Great advice and feedback.
I am measuring an overall O.D. of 24".
I should have Check'd the OD of a known 30 x 3-1/2 wheel. I will do that tonight.
Thanks,
Steve

Yea, thats a 30 x 3.5' tire

I agree, those wheels will look funny on a non speedster.

Those Parker Hydraulic pressed steel wheels are a sort of love/hate thing for many people. Some people really love them! Some others think they are silly looking or even ugly. Personally, I like them! But I am not crazy about them.
One thing I do strongly recommend. Check your wheels over very carefully! As I recall from talking with Howard and friends many years ago, was that Howard's set needed a fair amount of "welding" repair before he was willing to use them on his speedster. What all that "welding" involved I do not know. But it did have something to do with rust from the inside. Howard was one to make sure that everything was done just right!

SpeedyTinc,
You were correct. After measuring a known 30 x 3-1/2 it does measure 24".

Chris,
Thank you for the advertisements, always cool to understand the sales pitch of the period .

Now to find a rim for a spare.

Really appreciate this great resource.

Steve

Speedy,

I second Wayne's recommendation for a thorough inspection of the wheels. If you check the original advertisements, the Parker-Hydraulic wheels had wood reinforcement at the hubs. I have a couple of sets of PH wheels and the wood is prettymuch gone on all of them. Typically, the wheels with the worst wear will be the rears. The torque from the drive axle will loosen the wood and cause the hubs to shift. The hub bolts then move and enlongate the wheel bolt holes.

You may be fortunate and have low mileage wheels, but it would be best to inspect them for safety sake.

My 2 cents worth.....

Dito on checking those wheels. Humble Howards Lucky 7 broke one of the spokes in those wheels.
Craig.