What am I missing on my spare tire carrier?

[Bmettli]

Hi all, I have a 23 touring with the 21 inch balloon tires. I have had this spare tire carrier on for years, but the tire always “sat” on the top two hangers and never could bolt to the bottom. You can see from the pics that the stock holes, as lined up, don’t allow it to fit. If I move it down away from the centered holes it could fit fine. Any ideas if the bottom hanger here looks correct? Think I need to replace it if it’s bent? I don’t have a way to fabricate something and it may be cheaper to buy new than take to a shop. Thanks

[Bmettli]

Dang it, can’t get the pics to upload

[RajoRacer]

If it's the original spare rim carrier to the car, it's most likely for a 23" rim thus the no fit issue - your T didn't come from Ford with 21" rims.

[Bmettli]

Photos attached

[Bmettli]

So I think I am looking for a replacement bottom branch in the last photo

[John kuehn]

The 30x3 1/2 rims came with your car if it’s a true 23. 21” inch rims came out in late 24 and on into 25. The later 21” tires were put on earlier T’s for a better ride.

I could be wrong but I think you have the correct tire carrier for 21 inch tires. When trying to line up your 21” rim did you use a long center punch to line up the holes as your carrier arm was originally mounted to? It could be it might fit doing that. I have a 21 Touring with the 23” inch carrier and I had to use the punch alignment method at first to get it to fit and it worked from then on as it should. Unless I’m wrong Ford didn’t make a longer lower arm for the Y type carrier. Maybe some one on the forum would know for sure.

Hope this can help.

[speedytinc]

The proper carrier was a one year only piece for 25 & as a replacement part for 21" rims. Quite uncommon.
The carrier looks like a large ring & has one clamp @ the bottom. It attaches to the rear of the frame on both sides. I do happen to have one accidently acquired for a 23" rim.
The Y carrier type mounts on a goose neck that attaches to spring mounts. Thats a 26-7 type touring/sedan mount.
Also uncommon is a Y carrier to mount 23" rims on a 26-7, but available if an owner wanted to run 23" clinchers on the later T's.
The carrier in your picture is adapted & not correct for a 1923.

[John kuehn]

Thanks speedytinc for the update. Thats clears things up.

[Bmettli]

Yes, it’s not correct but it’s all I have for now. Just need something to hold me over until I find a correct

[John kuehn]

I noticed in your info that you have a 22 Touring but not showing a 23. I guess you recently acquired a 23. As you might already know after a 100 years and several owners they did different things to a T since lots of T parts would interchange and as long as it worked that was OK. Lots of T’s are out there are like that!

[varmint]

To make everything correct, I am no expert on how much you would need to replace.

Me: Fill in the bad holes with weld and re-drill. Then replace the janked stud, welding from the back side.

[John Codman]

On my '27 with the larger low-pressure tires, the bottom arm of the spare tire carrier is exactly 7" from the tire bolt center to the center of the bolt that attaches the arm to the Y-shaped center bracket.

[Bmettli]

Mr. Bergstadt got me situated with a replacement carrier, thanks all