1926-'27 Roadster Spare Tire Mount (Ford Wire Wheel)

[TXGOAT2]

I have a '26 roadster with Ford wire wheels and no spare tire mount. I have a spare tire mount to put on it, but the rear panel has been replaced and there are no holes in it. Two holes can be seen in the body brace, so I can locate those lower holes. The upper pair of holes would be located in the panel itself, so it looks to me like there should be some kind of reinforcement bracket there. Does anyone know exactly how the tire carrier is supposed to be attached to the body? The tire carrier has a round flange with 4 bolt holes to attach to the car body and a triangular flange with 3 wheel studs in it to hold the Ford wire wheel.

[RajoRacer]

There were both 3 & 4 hole spool mounts. I'd have to assume Ford went with 3 bolts as a cost saving measure.

[TXGOAT2]

I have the 4-hole. There is a brace from just under the deck latch to the trunk floor, but it doesn't look substantial enough to hold the top of the flange to the body. The body parts price list has a "tire carrier brace" but no picture.

[Mark Nunn]

Mine has 3 holes. The upper goes through the center brace. I thought that coupes used 4 but I don't have one of those to confirm. Sorry, I'm vacationing and don't have access to my photos at the moment.

[TXGOAT2]

There is a hole in the center brace that might be where a 3-hole mount could have been attached. I may have a coupe tire mount. There is also a hole in the trunk floor a few inches ahead of the center brace that a brace from the floor to the center brace could be attached to.

** I found a picture of the same "spare rim carrier" that I have on page 10 of the 1926 wholesale parts price list. (Cimorelli) It is part number 2872, for 1926 coupe/roadster. No associated parts other than bolts are mentioned.

[Moxie26]

Same body spare mount that used "Y" adaptor for wood wheel rims.

[RajoRacer]

Pat needs to see the inside of that trunk ! I'm using the 4 bolt hole spool mount on the rear of my Racer also but have 23" rims mounted to the
correct "Y".

[Moxie26]

Steve... I'm well aware of that needed photograph, just don't have it in my photos.

[Moxie26]

Good friend from another state sent me a picture of the inside top attachment of that spare tire carrier. He did not have picture of the lower attachment but I'm sure it's very similar with the thick rectangular block, lock washer and nut to secure the bolt.

[Original Smith]

Don't forget the one they made for the running board!

[Moxie26]

Pat's problem is that someone replaced the horizontal panel below the trunk lid that wasn't exactly as Ford manufactured...... And maybe the spare tire mount isn't the correct two bolt attachment. ????

[TXGOAT2]

The vertical brace on mine is different. It doesn't have the ears with holes near the bottom of the flanges that lay against the outer panel. It looks like the 4-bolt mount's upper bolts would go thru those ears if they were there. The upper end of my brace is riveted just under the latch area and the lower end has two ears that lay against the trunk floor and are bolted thru it. It looks a lot less substantial.

[Moxie26]

Maybe Larry Smith will sell his "running board/top brace pivot" spare tire mount to you ??? Cheaper than a "new/replacement" center panel labor, painting, installation $$$$.... ????

[TXGOAT2]

The panel is fine, it just doesn't have any holes. For that reason, I assume it has been replaced. It looks like the brace in the picture above is designed to accept the 4-bolt flange, while what I have looks like it was meant for a 3 hole flange.

[TXGOAT2]

People have long said that "Model Ts are all alike". From what I've seen, it would be more accurate to say that no two of them are alike.

[ewdysar]

Just to pile on, this is what my ‘27 Runabout spare tire mount bolts look like.

Keep crankin’
Eric

[RajoRacer]

Great photos, Eric !

[TFan]

Here is what I have on my 26 it is a three holer with a brace on the inside and one under the floor attached to the framework. Jim

[RajoRacer]

I wasn't insinuating that, Robert - it was just a comment.

[Bill Mullins]

Pat the body had 3 hole mount we filled them I didn't want a spare tire mount on the car for the Montana 500. Here is a picture of the body in the body shop.I carried the spare in the trunk.

[Moxie26]

Steve... I didn't pick up any negativity in your comment. It's just that pictures will help more than words., I was lucky enough to have a friend send me the trunk interior picture.

[TXGOAT2]

Thanks to everyone. The car definitely has a 3-bolt brace. The triangular reinforcing plate under the vertical brace is missing, and the channel-shaped brace from the vertical brace to the trunk floor is missing. It looks like the easiest thing to do would be to drill a hole in the rim carrier like the 3 bolt ones have and use the existing brace. I can make a copy of the triangular piece that goes under the vertical brace, and there is a brace on late 1960s Ford pickup rear fenders that is made exactly like the channel-shaped brace. I have a junk '67 trailer I can get the brace off of.

Bill: The paint is holding up very well, as is the top and upholstery. It runs as well today as when I got it. I've worn 2 tires to the cord, and I'll have to buy a set soon, but it needs nothing else.

The 4-bolt rim carrier I have is marked FORD and has the number T-7316-A 1

[Moxie26]

Ford contracted with many auto body builders, and I'm sure there were differences in the same finished specific body. Same with the '26-'27 Runabout body.