57 Wire Wheels

[Ts & As]

I am trying to get to the bottom of a controversey about wire wheels for a 57. I know that they are supposed to be 14X5 and will fit a 7.50X14 tire using a tube. My question is did Kelsey Hayes make an original rim this size for the 57 or are they all aftermarket Roadster wheels? Also how many spokes in each wheel if they were genuine K-H vs after market? Are there any markings or stampings anywhere to ID a K-H wheel?

Tom R 57 Dusk Rose

[Nerd]

They were not made for '57s and are the 62-63 roadster wheels. I regretably do not know the answers to your remaining questions.

[nomadbird]

Tom R.,

I don't know much about wires and I've been looking for documentation to support what little I do know about them. There is a lot written on the subject in old issues of the Early Bird, but I never found the time to do the research. The answer that Nerd gave you is correct.

Here we go from memory:
(1) Kelsey Hayes stamped steel wheels usually have a "K H" stamped on the lug boss on the outside of the wheel. It is usually stamped 180 from the "FORD" (or equivalent) mark. I assume this practice was also employed on wires.
(2) The "knock-off" spinners on K H wires would usually hit the fender skirt and alterations to either the skirt or the spinner was required. Using a repro "knock-off" spinner is another solution to this problem.
(3) When the repro wheels first came out about 20+ years ago, we called them "Fresno Wheels" because that is where they were made. They helped stabilize the goofy prices on the K H wheels and were ready for use on Little Birds without alteration. Fresno wheels also offered a good choice of spinner center colors.
(4) In another post, you said you had 56 spokes. In this months Hemmings on page 516, there is a display ad for "Fresno Wheels" that states they have 52 spokes. (I never knew that!)
(5) Values: It doesn't seem like there is any significant difference in resale value between K H or Fresno wheels based upon my casual observation.

So there; I've told you more than I ever knew about the subject.

Tom D.

[Ts & As]

Tom D

Thanx for your input. Just checked and I do not have any K-H stamping by the lugs but I do have 56 spokes, Counted them a dozen times and keep coming up with 56 (except once I got 57 but that was after the second beer!)

I think they are aftermarket roadster wheels but I am still trying to track the truth down.

Will post here whatever I do find.

Hope all is well on the home front!

Tom R

[Gregory]

I have a 63 Roadster with the K/H wheels. They are 48 spoke and are marked with the K/H stamp in the hub area. Currently aftermarket wheels are available in both 48 and 56 spoke with both tube and tubeless wheels available. 56 spoke are considered much stronger and safer and are highly recommended by the manufacter.

[Gregory]

I recently put wire wheels on my 57. The spinners are sure close to the skirts. Clearance of one quarter inch on one side and three sixteenth on the other. The body will shift that much on moderaterate cornering. So... what should I do? I could shave some metal off the skirt on the inside at the bottom. It would not be noticeable from the outside and I could probably gain another 3/16 inch. What have others done with this problem?

[Brian]

Good Question. This is exactly why I hesitate buying them. Any answers out there?

[Gregory]

Brian
I may have found the answer. If you take the skirts off and lay them paint side down on a work bench you will notice there is a metal edge at the bottom that is bent 90 degrees inward. If you mark out the length of that fin that could be contacted by a spinner, add about one inch and remove that edge with a body grinder. Take it to a depth that matches the chrome trim piece. You will now have more than 1/2 inch clearance between the spinner and the skirt. The body will shift up to a 1/4 but not 1/2 inch when cornering. This modification is not noticable unless the skirt is removed and it does not reduce the strength or stability of the skirt. I think this is the answer, at least it looks great, give me a few hundred miles to prove it.

[Brian]

OK keep us posted.

I love the look of the wheels, but I hate cutting up my car.

[Gregory]

Fender skirts and Spinners have always been a point of interference. Ford eliminated skirts when they put the KH wire wheels and spinners on the 62/63 Thunderbird Roadsters. This modification for the 57 bird looks fine and fits fine but it took me at least a week to look over and recheck the situation because I am very reluctant to cut or remove anything that is not stock. I am satisfied that I did the right thing. But I sure had reservations.

[Brian]

I hear that!

[TOM WRIGHT]

Gregory,
I had the exact same problem with my 57 T-bird. As it turns out the body was mounted on the frame cockeyed. I loosened the body to frame bolts and shifted the body to center. You will have to remove the one or two bolts in the trunk area when you shift the body, and drill out the hole in the trunk so the bolt can engage the thread. It sounds more complicated than it is. If you look in past post you will see instructions on the proceedure.

[Gregory]

Tom
How much clearance did you have befor the alteration, on each side and how much after. My car was about 1/16 inch off center - 3/16 on one side and 1/4 on the other. I managed to move that clearance out to 1/2 to 3/4 inch. Plenty of clearance now.

[TOM WRIGHT]

Gregory,
My bird was .750++ off center. After I realigned the body to the frame it is about .250 or less off center. I had already cut out the fender skirts and was still having a problem with the center hub of the wheel rubbing the skirt. After the body was moved about .250" I have no rubbing. It is always something with these old birds. That is part of the fun of owning one, keeping it in top shape keeps me out of the bar.

[Gregory]

Tom
Yep what an endless task, keeping them looking and running the way they should. You might want to check out my birds on my WEB at http://users.adelphia.net/~gs.graham/ and thanks for the comments.