I have a 28 Model A, that has a blown big block with steelies and bias tires up front. I want to switch to Model A wire rims and tires. I'll have to run a support plate and spacer to change bolt pattern to fit. Has anyone done this or do you think the wire rims will support the weight of the big block????
Its not so much the static weight, but the bending, cornering, and braking loads, and how long you expect to keep it up between wheel rebuilds. Not trying to be a smart ass, but is to just to look at (as in a show car) or are you planning to really use that blown big block in anger ?
You might consider a modern wire wheel / repop with more and heavier spokes. Remember too, that wires went away in favor of solid wheels because they just aren't that strong especially road racing on high speed roads. Ifn just a drag car, you might get away with them. Safety first, as they say.
I just want them on the front, but I never thought about the cornering and breaking. I drive the car a lot, its definitely not a show car. Appreciate the feedback, definitely dont want one to break during an "angry" burnout.
You might be surprised that braking torque can be as high or even higher than torque at the back. If you don't believe that, check acceleration time to 100Mph, against braking time 100Mph to zero. Almost anything can brake harder than it accelerates. Slingshot dragsters get away with it because there is very little weight at the front, and usually no front brakes anyway. But if its a typical street rod, there is going to be a lot of weight at the front, which gets even heavier as you dive under brakes. And then there is braking torque on top of that. You really do need really strong wheels at the front, even if they are skinny.
I'd be afraid that when and if a quick evasive turn had to be made the wheel would collapse causing the car to do a perowet on whats left..I suppose you could put them on and make some tests?
19's are stronger than the earlier 21's , but i think you are loosing proportion, it will look like those chinese women who had they're feet bound up
This stock looking 34 3W has a 900hp BBC under the hood and wires however I think he swapped the rears out for this!
Years ago I had a friend that had a modern set of wire wheels on his T bucket. One day he and his wife took a trip through a ditch when one of the wheels failed while driving down the highway. Luckily no one was hurt. The wires might be OK with a trailer queen, but not on something used on the highways, as far as I'm concerned. Gene
Acceleration typically results from the torque applied to two wheels. Braking has the benefit of the participation of two additional wheels, so comparison of acceleration vs. deceleration times is not indicative of much. Most of our cars can spin the rear tires under acceleration, or lock them up in braking, which limits the wheel torque to more or less the same value either way; actually a bit higher in acceleration, due to weight transfer. Front wheels of course, see only braking torque. Virtually all pre-war racing cars used wire wheels, some very heavy behemoths (Duesenbergs, Bentleys, Mercedes and Auto Union grand prix cars). Same old story, if designed right, it will work. I suppose there are suppliers of new Model A style wire wheels. Ask them what their recommended loads are (vertical, transverse and torque), vs. their solid steel wheels. (This may be a futile exercise!)
Related, are tires available to fit Model A rims that are made for modern highway speeds? I mean like 75 mph? I know way back guys drove their hop ups and gow jobs that fast on the tires of the day.
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