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Putting Wire Spokes on the '28/'29

Posted: October 12th, 2017, 7:03 am
by gearling
Got her up in the air, Man, those steelies are heavier than the budd wheels on the dually! I toss on a wire wheel , and oh, no! It won't go all the way on! I pull it away for a look, and decide to pull the hub cover off, and, aha! Perfect fit! So, I really don't mind not having caps for the wheels. It's just an old work truck, and those things cost what I paid for the whole truck in the first place. However, I do want to keep the bearings clean and dry. Is there a dust cover/grease cap that just goes on the end of the hub to go in place of the huge dust covers that fit the steelies?

Re: Putting Wire Spokes on the '28/'29

Posted: October 12th, 2017, 8:44 am
by Stakebed
Hmm you may look around and try things like paint lids, or go to an industrial electrical supply place and look at knockout plugs - they come in all sorts of sizes and either snap in place or attach from the back with a screw.


Since you want function over formality id get creative and see what you can find. I do agree you should have some sort of cap to keep water and dust out of the bearings!

Re: Putting Wire Spokes on the '28/'29

Posted: October 12th, 2017, 10:26 am
by gearling
That might be an option, It's amazing the things that seem to be standard sizes across different industries!

Re: Putting Wire Spokes on the '28/'29

Posted: October 12th, 2017, 10:30 am
by gearling
As a Chevy mechanic in the 80s, I always kept a variety of wine corks, golf tees, ball bearings and other miscellany in my tool box. A good Chevy mechanic always has a handful of parts left over, especially when working on a Ford! :lol:

Re: Putting Wire Spokes on the '28/'29

Posted: October 13th, 2017, 7:30 am
by Neil Wilson
gearling wrote:
October 12th, 2017, 7:03 am
Got her up in the air, Man, those steelies are heavier than the budd wheels on the dually! I toss on a wire wheel , and oh, no! It won't go all the way on! I pull it away for a look, and decide to pull the hub cover off, and, aha! Perfect fit! So, I really don't mind not having caps for the wheels. It's just an old work truck, and those things cost what I paid for the whole truck in the first place. However, I do want to keep the bearings clean and dry. Is there a dust cover/grease cap that just goes on the end of the hub to go in place of the huge dust covers that fit the steelies?
I am guessing that your AA has the 1929 six hole disk wheel with their respective hub caps. And, as you indicate the steel spoke wheel will not fit over these disk wheel hub caps. I have seen/heard of one AA'er who found A chassis hub caps which could be installed onto the AA steel spoke wheels. So, this is an option.

Re: Putting Wire Spokes on the '28/'29

Posted: October 19th, 2017, 5:59 pm
by gearling
just fitted up one side to get an idea of how it will look when finished. Always good to contemplate things over a beer or three!

Re: Putting Wire Spokes on the '28/'29

Posted: October 23rd, 2017, 7:55 am
by dhetch
Many years ago I had the same problem and found some slightly raised steel hole plugs that snapped right into the wheel. You might check Graybar Electric or Grainger or McMaster-Carr. If you want a more "authentic" interim look or if you have axle shafts pushing these out, you can use a hole saw or a lathe and cut out the plug to match the A hubcap of your choosing. eventually you will come across the correct hubcaps without spending a handsome ransom for them.
Many of us have been there.

Dave

Re: Putting Wire Spokes on the '28/'29

Posted: October 23rd, 2017, 11:06 am
by gearling
Those snap in plugs are a great idea! They could even be attached to a ford script badge so they wouldn't look out of place to the untrained eye, and they'd serve the practical purpose of keeping out dust and water until I find the elusive deal on proper caps. Thank you!!!

Re: Putting Wire Spokes on the '28/'29

Posted: October 24th, 2017, 10:31 am
by s147881
Anyone have picture of what the original cap looks like?

Re: Putting Wire Spokes on the '28/'29

Posted: October 24th, 2017, 11:55 am
by emf
Here ya go...

Re: Putting Wire Spokes on the '28/'29

Posted: October 24th, 2017, 7:09 pm
by Stakebed
yea - you might have a hens tooths chance of finding one or a set at a swapmeet on the dollar tarp cuz they dont know what they are to - Ive gotten several 29 centercaps that way.

I always keep my eyes out for em. You should be able to come up with SOMETHING that fits... Can anyone get me an opening diameter of a 28 rim? (or close)

Re: Putting Wire Spokes on the '28/'29

Posted: October 25th, 2017, 5:43 am
by Neil Wilson
s147881 wrote:
October 24th, 2017, 10:31 am
Anyone have picture of what the original cap looks like?
FYI - These hub caps were snapped onto the wheels without the tabs being bent (unlike the A chassis hub caps). The tabs will break off if bent (and many show up that way).

There were five different stampings for these 1928/1929 steel spoke wheel hub cabs as shown in the photo below. The photo images are arranged in usage sequence. The first design was used through March 1928. The fifth image is the most common found in my experience. Finding a set of five with all the same stamping is hard.

Re: Putting Wire Spokes on the '28/'29

Posted: October 25th, 2017, 5:18 pm
by KimVanOrder
now this is an item that some retired machinist should start to replicate.

Re: Putting Wire Spokes on the '28/'29

Posted: October 25th, 2017, 6:01 pm
by s147881
That's the cap for rim - I have all those but is there a dost/ water cap that goes on the hub flange under the spoked rim?

Re: Putting Wire Spokes on the '28/'29

Posted: October 25th, 2017, 8:37 pm
by Neil Wilson
s147881 wrote:
October 25th, 2017, 6:01 pm
That's the cap for rim - I have all those but is there a dost/ water cap that goes on the hub flange under the spoked rim?
There is no cap listed for the hub flange. As shown above, the AA-1130 "wheel hub shell cap" is all that is listed.