Were the steel fellow non-demountable wheels the same all around or did they still use the 3 in front and 3.5 in the rear? I came across one that I forgot I had and am trying to figure out if its front rear or ether. No hub in it.
Thanks
Mark-
What is the OD diameter on the inside of the rim?
They came in 30 X 3 front and 30 X 3.5 rear for US production. I have had a 30 X 3 years ago but sold it too a fellow trying to put together a set. He was glad to get it. And I have seen a few other 30 X 3 rims at swap meets. I think I have seen more 30 X 3 than I have 30 X 3.5 over the years.
I do not know if they were used in Canadian production or not.
I would like to know for sure what years they were used in. I have heard several stories, some I simply don't believe. I have heard they were used in most of 1926/27 but do not believe that either. I have seen a few too many photos of '26/27 touring cars and roadsters with the square wood felly wheels. And I have seen and owned too many wood square felly 30 X 3.5 rear wheels with large brake drums that very much looked like the drums were original factory install. Although one cannot know that for certain. But it also makes little sense to go to the trouble to put the better brake drums on undesirable wheels at a time when better wheels and tires would have been preferred and usually available.
I have heard and read on this forum that these wheels were Ford factory installed. But I am not really sure I believe that either. I have personally looked at thousands of early photos of model Ts. I have seen (mostly in books) hundreds of Ford factory photos. In these photos I have seen probably a hundred black-era Ts with square wood felly wheels ranging from 1918 up to headlight bar 1926s and probably even a few '27s. I have even seen a wood felly wheeled tudor sedan (I thought enclosed cars were not supposed to be offered with non-demountable wheels). But I have seen very few old photos showing any year T with those one-piece all steel felly and rim.
Many historic mysteries to the model T yet need to be unraveled.
This is one of them.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
Keith;
It's 23 inches, so from Wayne's info, must be a rear. Size wise it matches up to a standard 30 inch demountable rim.
Wayne
Those all metal non-demountable were listed in the parts book, front 2800D for 30x3 metal felloe, Dec 1920 and the 2814 for rear in 30x3 1/2 and later Dec 25 rear 2814C2 large drum for the Improved Car.
Have to admit though, the shinny clincher tires on the Improved Car look silly
Restored car with all metal clinchers
But, exceptions to be made, note the gal with her leg over the side door, rather tatty Improved Car, but the wheels are sq. wood felloe non-demounts. From the factory/ Or changed out in later years (photo looks 1940's ish). As changing the whole wheel with a better tire is easier than removing that clincher from the rim.
Don't know what happened to the photos? Try this again.
I think I have every kind of Model T wheel except that kind. I don't even recall ever seeing any except in pictures. Apparently a pretty rare bird.