Wheel size and model year.

[chetbrz]

I picked up four nice wood wheels from Don F in Massachusetts.  Unfortunately they are 19 in wheels and my 29U originally had 20 inch wheels.  Shame on me for not checking. 

Here is my dilemma:

Should I invest more money in tires and tubes or sell the wheels at a loss for a quick sale?  I believe these wheels are correct for the 30U.  I don't blame Don, after all my 29 is registered as a 28U.  I guess the old saying penny wise pound foolish.  To date I have now spent more on wheels then the cost to re-spoke mine.

Am I being nuts about an inch.  The tires on these 19" wheels are 6.0 - 19 and are actually larger then my 4.75 - 20 original wheels.  It's only a 1/2 inch change in radius.  If I keep them I would also need a spare tire & rim although I could shoot craps with the spare.

Chet...

[westaus29]

hi Chet,

I went thru the same dilemma a few years ago with my 29U tourer. My car had 20 inch rims but they were very battered, bent, and split and 20 inch Mopar rims are very scarce around here. I obtained a great set of rims for a song at a swap meet, then found they were 19 inch. After a bit of research I discovered that the 29U did switch to 19 inch rims later in the production run, in Aug 1929 after car serial no Y076LE. The details are in a great article by Jim Benjaminson in The Plymouth Bulletin of Jan-Feb 1982, available on DVD.

I decided not to change so welded up the 20 inch rims and bashed them into shape, and had a local shop run some extra beads of weld around inside my spare rim as it was pretty thin. That was in 1999 and they are still going strong tho I wouldnt attempt a land speed record on them.

I gave the 19 inch rims to a Desoto owner for nothing. A few years later I realised that 20 inch tyres are about double the cost of 19 inch over here, so am left wondering if I made the right decision.
I still havent found any better 20 inch rims.

regards
Jim

[Old Man]

5:25/5:50 X 19" are Ford Model A tires and tubes etc. so you will share everything with the Model A guys. Something to think about. 

[frankp]

Chet,

That is a tough one.  Do you want to keep your car as it came from factory or Model year correct?  What are your priorities in this regard?  I believe there are no wrong answers here.  It's like choosing to have natural wood finish spokes on 28Q/29U even though they were not an option until '30U.  For what it's worth.

frank

[chetbrz]

Well my car will never be a show winner it has seen some hard times over the years.  The last person who did so called restoration worked approached the carpentry with drywall screws and tongue and grove flooring.  As Frank asked.., my goal is to do as little additional harm as possible while trying to undo some of the well attentions of its prior owners.   So I guess my goal is to leave her in better shape then I found her in.   Based on what I can decipher from the serial number.  The car probably rolled off the line in March of 1929.  So I guess besides the motor, the wheels are some of the few original parts that are still left.   Although having good wheels to roll around on is an enticing thought.  It just pains me to add to the miss intentions of its previous owners but the economic reality might take precedence. 

Chet...

[chetbrz]

More on Tires:

If I use the 19" wheels let's see if this makes sense.

I currently have Excelsior Black 475/500 – 20" on my car so:

Cross Section:      4.50"
Thread Width:      3.50"
OD:         30.50"
Rim Width      2.5 - 3.0"

Universal Modal A Tire Black:   Coker SK# 73320 Price  $99.00 each
Cross Section:      4.50"
Thread Width:      4.00"
OD:         30.0" (29.5")
Rim Width      2.5 - 3.0"

It looks like a pretty close match. 
Then there is the BF Goodrich 2.75" White Wall or plain Black
475/500 – 19" and these specs from the Coker site seem incorrect.  But according to the Corker Rep. they are correct for this tire.

Coker SK# 73000   Price $197.00 each
Cross Section:      5.50"
Thread Width:      3.75"
OD:         30.50"
Rim Width      2.5 - 3.0"

This seems the best fit from Universal Tire Hershey PA
Lester Black  525/550-19 Price $164 each

Thread Width:      4.75
OD         30.75
Rim Width      3"

Any Comments or experiences ?

[racertb]

Although I have the 20" wood wheels, I put Lester's on a couple years ago (black wall) and really like them.  Prior to that, there were Lester WW on the car for over 20 years.

[frankp]

Any tire info will help me too.  My 48 year old Allstates need replacing.

[chetbrz]

Hi Frank here are some links to places I was looking at.  I will probably go to Universal at Hershey and look at the tires before I buy any.  The internet is good for research but I am getting tired of buying things based on pictures.

Here is the link to Universal Vintage Tire in Hershey PA:
https://www.universaltire.com/

You probably already know Coker Tire:
http://www.cokertire.com/

Here is Lucas Classic Tires - Long Beach, CA & Springfield, OH
http://www.lucasclassictires.com/

racertb,

Thanks for the info on Lester I think I am leaning in that direction.

Chet...

[frankp]

Thank you Chet and racertb.  Coker is the only name that is familiar to me.  frank

[chetbrz]

Frank,

Are you looking for 475/500 20" because if I decide to go with the 19" wheels I would consider letting my 20" rubber go to a good home.  The tires are a couple of years old but have less then 1,000 miles.  Just an FYI...

Chet...

[frankp]

Hi Chet,

Thanks for the offer, but I have the 19".  My car is # Y089WE and was evidently assembled shortly after change was made.

This through us for a loop too, when needed a rear wheel and rim in the beginning.

frank

[racertb]

Chet - let us know what you end up with...Check out Universal Tire (and the Lesters) if you haven't already!

[chetbrz]

I have so many things going on right now that the 29 may have to wait another year before I can get to her.  I am getting ready to retire and currently involved in a remodeling in our retirement home and need to do work to the current residence so I can put it on the market for sale.  Still working the day job and spent the last couple of days stripping the moldings off my 48 Plymouth to get her ready to go back into the paint shop for a do over.  I started that project in Sept/Oct of 2004.  I decided before I start taking another thing apart I need to finish this car complete.  Just have too many things demanding my time.  Hope to correct this soon.

I'll let you know,  Chet...