MTFCA Forum

Hello everyone
On my 26-Touring there are 30x3 1/2 tires with removable split rims. Is a 21 inch split rim from Snyders or Langs the right size for a spare wheel or should 30x 3 1/2 removable rims be ordered?
Thank you for your information
Anton
(elan2@seelmann-web.de)

Might you be describing "clincher" rims ? I'm not familiar with any 30 x 3.5 (23") "split rim" .

Check the tire size, the 26-27 with split rims should be 440/450-21 tires with the 21 referring to 21" Rim; the demountable, non-split (clincher) rims should have 30-3 or 30-3 1/2, with the 30 referring to 30" rim size. The two types of rims do not interchange, if the wheels on the car are split rims, you need a split rim spare. Both types are available, new are $$ but probably worth it as good (ie, serviceable and SAFE) used ones are getting scarce. Best, jb

"There are 30x3 1/2 tires with removable split rims". Such wheels and rims did exist, however, Ford never used them. Before proper advice can be given, we need to KNOW what wheels your car has so we can know what rims are needed. Clincher or straight sided is one factor of the tire. Rim size (diameter inside bead to bead) is another. Tire size can be measured in inches, or metric, and may be measured either outside-in, or inside-out. Inside-out is the common measure today, however, outside-in was the most common method of tire measure a hundred years ago. Ford model Ts left the factory with any of several non-demountable clincher wheels, or any of several variations of demountable clinchers, or the so-called 21 inch split rim demountable wood spoke wheels, or the 21 inch welded wire wheels. Offerings changed from the factory change from time to time. In addition to all of those, numerous after-market companies offered a wide variety of wheels for the Ford cars. They ranged from similar to the Ford wheels with some perceived or genuine improvement, on to wheels totally different from anything Ford offered.
To further confuse things. "Split" rims came in two totally different forms. The "one-piece" rims that are split cross-ways so that the rim can be squeezed inward to aid in repairing or replacing the tire, like Ford used on their 21 inch "split rims". The other type is a multi-part rim that does nor squeeze inward, with one or more rings that are removed in order to repair or replace the tire. These type can be very dangerous if not handled properly. These "widow-maker" rims were only used for the model T by the Ford factory on SOME TT truck rear wheels.

It is a 26er Touring of a friend. The vehicle comes from Argentina. But it has tires of size 30 x 3 1/2 with wood wheels and the removable rims are split rims. Which rim for the spare tire should he order, for example, Snyders ???
Thanks for any help!
Anton

The type you need are not avaiable from any of the vendors. Your need to post a photo of the rim. Mostl likely the wood wheels would take one of the standard not split rim. The bolt pattern depends on the type of rim. On some rims the lugs were part of the rim, on some the lugs were separate. It is possible, taht none of the old or new rims would fit the wheels on this Model T.

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I will test my friend's wood wheels on one of my own Ford T's with removable rims.
Thank you very much for the information

Anton. Please send us pictures with a tape measure across the wheel. What you have is a mystery. Perhaps the wheels were made in Argentina to replace the originals and there are no replacements. Danke Schön.

Chev went from 30 x 3.5 clincher rims to 4.40 x 23" split rims, before settling on 21" as Ford did on the improved T's. These 23" split rims just required the valve stem hole to be moved to be able to fit them to T's.

Allan from down under.

I think a friend has one. The one he has takes a straight sided tire, not clincher that part I know for sure.

My 1924 Tarrant special tourer came with 4.40 x 23" clincher tyres. This size clincher has long been gone. To maintain a set of 4.40 s, I have two straight sided 4,40 x 23" on the front of the car. One is on a Hayes rim from a Chevy as I mentioned above. The second one is on a Clincher rim!!!!

To be able to mount it, the rim had to be split and a joiner fabricated. Of greater interest is the fact that the rolled edge of the clincher rim has been worked into a straight edge. That's a heap of work just to mount a straight sided tyre. When these wear out I will have to revert to 30 x 3.5" clinchers.

Allan from down under.

That wheel and split rim in 30x3 1/2 could be for straight-sided 30x 3 1/2 tires.

There were makers of straight side tires in this size, think the Baker rim was once made with wheels to fit the T.