'65-'66 wheels

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edpol
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'65-'66 wheels

Post by edpol »

If you're doing the '65-'66 disc brake conversion on a '61-'64, or just looking for 15" Ford logo wheels that clear the KH calipers, these will fit:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200819347855?ss ... 1423.l2649

These wheels were also installed on Lincoln and Mercury models with appropriate center caps.
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fast Ed
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Post by fast Ed »

You have verified this on a T-Bird then? They might look decent on a 60s Bird.


cheers
Ed
88 Turbo Coupe manual
07 Mustang GT hardtop
previous Birds:
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95 Super Coupe manual
edpol
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Post by edpol »

Yes. They are 15 x 6 1/2, 4" BS. Here's a pic of the inside - 2" clearance for the caliper is sufficient, which I checked with a '65-'66 spindle with rotor and KH caliper installed.
Even nicer wheels, are the '77-'79 Lincoln/ Tbird/ Mercury turbine wheels that Steverino has on his Bulletbird. I haven't checked them, but they seem to have similar specs. While Steve has his Lincoln center caps modded with a Tbird logo, Tbird center caps are available.
Here's a pic of the inside of the wheel I posted:

Image

Now it's time to be a pic whore
Using the guts from a Lincoln center cap for these wheels, I mounted the spinner from a '63 hubcap, which gives it a more vintage look:

Image

Painting it black makes the spinner stand out better

Image
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Steverino
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Post by Steverino »

Just ran across this post... Am contemplating a front disc conversion and am wondering whether my turbine wheels will clear the '65-'66 calipers.

I don't suppose there's any way to know without physically testing??

Might have to find someone with a '65 or '66 local to me who doesn't mind me bolting on a wheel...
Steve
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edpol
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Post by edpol »

Alas, the turbine wheels don't work with the '65-'66 conversion, unless you use 1" minimum spacers.
edpol
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Post by edpol »

I was able to upload pics for a short time, so here are some wheel pics. First, the Crown Vic/Lincoln/Grand Marquis lace wheel. Notice the raised center.

Image

If the Ford center caps are too plain for you, or you just want something that looks more stock, yet custom, use your imagination. I used a spinner from a '63 deluxe hubcap to replace the outer logo of a Lincoln center cap, and some black paint, for this:

Image

I also took a pic of a turbine wheel like Steverino has, to show why a substantial spacer is needed to clear the KH calipers

Image

Finally, I put a '65-'66 rotor with a KH caliper inside the CV lace wheel to show clearances of the caliper to wheel, and brake line. The caliper I had didn't have the connecting line installed, but you could see it will clear the wheel.

Image

Image
edpol
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Post by edpol »

I forgot to include one pic, it shows that the raised center of the CV/Lincoln lace wheel is just shy of 2"

Image
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fast Ed
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Post by fast Ed »

I wonder how those wheels would look with the black paint that you've done, and then take the paint off the front of the lace spokes for some contrast?

Thanks for sharing the info on those.


cheers
Ed
88 Turbo Coupe manual
07 Mustang GT hardtop
previous Birds:
66 Town Hardtop
95 Super Coupe manual
edpol
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Post by edpol »

Actually, the original plan was to continue by taping between the "spokes", then spraying silver, to make it look more like a wire wheel. However, I was undecided on using these at the time, and didn't want to spend the time.
One thing I haven't been able to check, is if these wheels work with skirts.
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fast Ed
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Post by fast Ed »

That would be good info too of course, many of us want to keep the skirts with non-stock wheels.

I've got a set of the 2008 Mustang "fanblade" 18" wheels that I am going to try on my 66, they are the version with the painted accents like this:

Image

18x8.5 with a high offset, so I will need some bolt-on spacers to position them properly.
88 Turbo Coupe manual
07 Mustang GT hardtop
previous Birds:
66 Town Hardtop
95 Super Coupe manual
Drifterdon
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Post by Drifterdon »

I have them on my '66 and they clear skirts just fine. Was thinking of doing the spinner trick but would not clear skirts if I did. Not sure how to post a pic or I would show you mine. There is a pic on the Stockers Car Club of Colorado Springs Facebook page.



Don
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Alan H. Tast
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Re: '65-'66 wheels

Post by Alan H. Tast »

1965-1967 15x5.5 stock rims, which can be used with a '65-'66 disc brake conversion using the large OEM Kelsey-Hayes 4-piston calipers and spindles on a 1961-1964 T-bird, were sized as follows:
Diameter = 15" (381.0 mm) at tire bead
Width = 5-1/2" (139.7 mm) at tire bead
Overall Diameter = 16 3/8" (415.9 mm) at tire mounting flanges
Overall Width = 6-5/16" (160.3 mm) at tire mounting flanges
Backspacing = 3-13/16" (96.8 mm); 4-7/8" (123.825 mm) at rim-to-center transition*
Offset =1 3/8" (34.925 mm)
Bolt circle/pattern = 4-1/2" (114.3 mm)
Clear inside diameter = 13-7/16" (341.3125 mm)
Center hub diameter = 2-7/16" (61.9125 mm)
Wheel mounting pad diameter = ?
*Need dimension to back side of depression between rim and wheel center which goes over calipers and outside diameter of wheel center mounting face.

For comparison, 1964 rims used with disc brakes have a few critical dimensions that keep them from being used with disc brakes:

1964 15x5.5 stock rims, which are used with drum brakes:
Diameter = 15" (381.0 mm) at tire bead
Width = 5-1/2" (139.7 mm) at tire bead
Overall Diameter = 16 7/8" (406.4 mm) at tire mounting flanges
Overall Width = 6-1/2" (169.9 mm) at tire mounting flanges
Backspacing = 3-7/8" (98.425 mm)*
Offset = 5/8" (15.875 mm) (differs from '65-'67 rim)
Bolt circle/pattern = 4-1/2" (114.3 mm)
Clear inside diameter = 13-3/16" (334.96 mm)
Center hub diameter = 2-7/16" (61.9125 mm)
Wheel mounting pad diameter = ?
*Need dimensions to back side of rim center between wheel mounting pad and rim and outside diameter of wheel center mounting face. '64 wheel is shallower, which keeps them from being used with original '65-'67 disc brake calipers.

You should be able to use these dimensions as a starting point for determining what will fit.


Factory Kelsey-Hayes 14x5.5 wire wheels used on 1962-1963 Sports Roadsters and optional on all 1962-1964 T-birds have the same dimensions as 1958-1963 steel dropped-center rims except for overall width for the center hub/spinner caps. Verified dimensions for factory wire wheels will be posted at a later date.

If you're wanting to use original 14"x5 1/2" wire wheels that were offered in '64 with drum brakes, these dimensions should be applicable:
1958-1963 14x5.5 stock rims, for comparison, were sized as follows:
Diameter = 14" (355.6 mm) at tire bead
Overall Diameter = 15" (381.0 mm) at tire mounting flanges
Width = 5-1/2" (139.7 mm) at tire bead
Overall Width = 6-1/2" (165.1 mm) at tire mounting flanges
Backspacing = 3-7/8" (98.425 mm)*
Offset = 5/8" (15.875 mm)
Bolt circle/pattern = 4-1/2" (114.3 mm)
Clear inside diameter = 12" (304.8 mm)
Center hub diameter = '58-'61 was 2-5/8" (66.675 mm); '62-'63 was 2-7/16" (61.9125 mm)
Wheel mounting pad diameter = ?
*Need dimensions to back side of rim center between wheel mounting pad and rim and outside diameter of wheel center mounting face.


I would like to add info to a database regarding what other make/model rims will fit on vintage T-birds.

Wheels
Diameter = ? (at tire bead)
Width = ? (at tire bead)
Overall Diameter = ? (at tire mounting flanges)
Overall Width = ? (at tire mounting flanges)
Backspacing (distance from inside face of rim to mounting face) = ? + backspacing to back side of rim between wheel mounting pad and rim
Offset (distance from center of wheel width to mounting face) = ? & also whether positive (outboard from center line of wheel) or negative (inboard from center line of wheel)
Bolt circle/pattern = ? diameter should be 4-1/2" if fitting on stock hubs
Clear inside diameter (minimum clear distance inside wheel) = ?
Center hub diameter = ?
Wheel mounting pad diameter = ?
Alan H. Tast, AIA
Technical Director/Past President,
Vintage Thunderbird Club Int'l.
Author, "Thunderbird 1955-1966" & "Thunderbird 50 Years"
1963 Hardtop & 1963 Sports Roadster
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El Leon
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Re: '65-'66 wheels

Post by El Leon »

Just wanted to chime in that I mounted a set of the Murcury steel wheels mentioned in the original post onto my '63 that has '65 front discs.

If you purchase the Ford style steel wheels that have the 4 openings in them (link below), You will have to modify the brake caliper and/or wheel to fit. I am also running a 5mm wheel spacer in the front, if you refuse to use spacers then I would say that the ford style steel wheels would NOT fit at all as you would need to remove a LOT of caliper and/or wheel material

I ended up grinding down a bit of both rather than having to remove too much material from just one of the two. The only part that contacts the caliper is the inner most portion of the opening on the rim. So if you go this rout, save yourself a few hours of headaches and get the "smoothie" steel wheels.

Ford style steel wheel that you must grind down caliper and/or wheel to fit properly:
https://www.cokertire.com/wheels/steel- ... rimed.html

"Smoothie" steel wheel that would fit without having to grind material away:
https://www.cokertire.com/wheels/steel- ... rimed.html


Edit: Also, you can fit 245/60 tires in the back without rubbing the skirts. However, they look very muscular and out of place on this chassis. I settled on 235/60 tires in the rear (Radial T/A) and they fit fantastic, look great and perform very well. 225 width tires up front.
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But then Albert Einstein replied, “Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.”
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