Wheel color

[Art Ebeling]

On a 13 runabout with blue wheels what color is the rear brake drum? Where they painted blue with the wheels or black like the chassis? Art

[hah]

Black, as the drums are part of axle. Plus, you’ll get contrasting colors. However, you own it, paint it whatever you’d like too.

[KWTownsend]

Art,
I expect the brake drum would be the same color as the wheel.

Take a look at this Ford Educational Weekly film: Making Wheels for Automobiles. I think it is from 1915 or 1916, not 1913. Although the "Assembly Line" was new in 1913, would the process to be essentially the same?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqGA92D7B6g

At 9:50, is an unpainted wheel with the brake drum on is shown.

At 11:53, the painting process is shown.

The end of the video shows a completed wheel, without pinstripe. Ford began the Motion Picture Department in 1914 which would indicate it is from 1914 or later.

For historical accuracy, I would suggest painting the brake drums the same color as the wheels. However, If you want to paint your brake drums black, go ahead, its your car!

: ^ )

Keith

[speedytinc]

On a 13 runabout with blue wheels what color is the rear brake drum? Where they painted blue with the wheels or black like the chassis? Art

Watch the video. The wheels are completely assembled, with drums, bolts cut & set before paint.
Drums are painted the same color as the wheels @ the same time.

[hah]

In video, brake drums were attached. A question comes to mind. Was the axle painted the same color as the wheel with brake drums attached?

[KWTownsend]

The brake drum is part of the wheel, not the axle. The backing plate is part of the axle and of course would be painted black.

[Darren J]

I painted mine black. It's a great contrast with the new spokes.

Darren

[Art Ebeling]

To me, with the rear brake drum being attached to the wheel it only makes sense that it would have been painted the wheel color. That is why I asked the question. I'm going with that answer. Thank you guys for the input. Art

[Art Ebeling]

To me, with the rear brake drum being attached to the wheel it only makes sense that it would have been painted the wheel color. That is why I asked the question. I'm going with that answer. Thank you guys for the input. Art

[hah]

Yes, the backing plate obviously is part of the axle along with the brake shoes and the drum. Just because the drum was installed with the wheel makes no difference. Just saying!

A complete axle would have all which was mentioned. Unless, in 1914 they defined an axle minus the brake drum.

[DanTreace]

Photos from 1914 of the painting process for wheels and rear axles, Ford Methods and The Ford Shops.


Wheels were spun painted, at 750 rpms first coat, then lower rpms for second coat. Stacked and dried.
4000 wheels a day by 27 workers.

Rear axles were assembled and dip painted.