Ford steel wheel question

Boyd Who · February 16, 2012, 02:49:21 PM

I managed to find a pair of Ford 14 x 6 front wheels for my Essex yesterday at a wrecking yard. They have the exact backspace that I was after, but when I got them home I discovered that they have the small center hole for the hub. I checked everything else but forgot about that. :oops:

My question...is it safe to toss them on a lathe or mill and have the center hole enlarged?

enjenjo · February 16, 2012, 03:21:51 PM

I can say that I have done this in the past with no problems. I can also say that a lot of original wheels do not have the lip in the center. Most aftermarket wheels have a bigger hole so they will fit any thing. So is it safe or not? I would put a chamfer on the backside of the hole.

Boyd Who · February 16, 2012, 05:13:58 PM

Thank you, kind sir! Good to know it can be done.
How did you modify your wheels?

enjenjo · February 16, 2012, 06:41:14 PM

Quote from: "Boyd Who"Thank you, kind sir! Good to know it can be done.
How did you modify your wheels?

I took them to a buddy with a big lathe. Took him about 5 minutes each to do.

Boyd Who · February 16, 2012, 06:55:22 PM

Excellent. There's a big machine shop a few miles north of us who might be able to do the job. Thanks again!

Harry · February 16, 2012, 09:50:37 PM

I am led to believe that hub centred wheels are better than lug centred.
Any opinions?

enjenjo · February 16, 2012, 11:15:06 PM

Quote from: "Harry"I am led to believe that hub centred wheels are better than lug centred.
Any opinions?

Only if the lugs are not tightened properly. A properly tightened wheel will not move. Wide 5 Ford. Pontiac, and Volkwagen wheels kind of prove this.

Boyd Who · February 24, 2012, 04:50:45 PM

Just got the wheels back from the machine shop. Cost more $$ that I expected, but since it was work I couldn't do myself I had to bite the bullet.
If I can get over my * cold I might make it to the shop to mock these ones up.

Boyd Who · March 07, 2012, 10:11:45 PM

Picked up some new tires this morning. I found some 195/75/14 Cooper Trendsetter SE's that had a decent looking tread pattern.

The wheels will eventually be powder coated black and have trim rings and chrome lug nuts.

My next big decision is whether to run the blackwalls out, like in these pics, or should I run the narrow whitewalls out? I'm leaning towards blackwalls out.

chimp koose · March 07, 2012, 11:22:04 PM

blackwalls!

Carnut · March 08, 2012, 12:34:22 AM

OK, I'll be contrary. I like whilewalls on black wheels. Blackwalls only on chrome or aluminum wheels.

UGLY OLDS · March 08, 2012, 05:22:36 PM

Blackwalls ..Trim rings & HUBCAPS :!: ....

Or......

Powder coat the wheels a contrasting color to the body :?: :?:

Bob...

Digger · March 08, 2012, 10:10:54 PM

Quote from: "Boyd Who"Picked up some new tires this morning. I found some 195/75/14 Cooper Trendsetter SE's that had a decent looking tread pattern.

The wheels will eventually be powder coated black and have trim rings and chrome lug nuts.

My next big decision is whether to run the blackwalls out, like in these pics, or should I run the narrow whitewalls out? I'm leaning towards blackwalls out.

There is only one opinion that matters--What do you like?

Boyd Who · March 09, 2012, 09:52:58 PM

My preference is black walls.