15 1/2” diameter wheels??

[paulclark]

Today I took a set of vintage Torqthrust mags I’d picked up at a swap a while back to my local tire shop to get some rubber. To my surprise, they were unable to mount a 15” tire, it was not just tight fit, they were definitely too small. But when they tried a 16” tire, it flopped right over the rim with room to rattle, definitely too large. The guys at the tire shop said it was a 15 1/5” rim, and that I’d have to special order tires that size. I looked online and find zero references anywhere to a 15.5” wheel and tire diameter. (I don’t mean width)

What gives? Is this some bizarre rare size or what am I looking at?

Thanks

 

[dusterbing the peace]

Did they try mounting from the backside?

innuendo? yes, but also seriously.

Measure and see if the front is larger in diameter than the back; the lip looks pretty tall…could just be perspective in the picture.

 

[RAT ROD AL]

I think it was a bizarre tire shop. Do you have a tape measure ?

 

[paulclark]

Ahh, thank you, I just measured. Backside outer wheel diameter is 16 1/4”, with an overhang of 5/8” on each side. So they really are 15” wheels.

I -thought- I remembered they tried to mount from the back, but I could be wrong. The front lip is larger so that may have accounted for it.

Ill go back tomorrow, or maybe better yet will try a different shop.

 

[RAT ROD AL]

Best Bet !

or maybe better yet will try a different shop.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I could mount those by hand with a tire irons and a tire hammer. You found an incompetent shop.

 

[mopar head]

I had a new Crager sbp destroyed by a Sears tire jockey

 

[67Dart273]

I believe the only 15 1/2" tires I've ever seen were used on trailer house axles

 

[Kern Dog]

You guys remember the early 80s Mustangs with 390 mm wheels?

 

[RustyRatRod]

You guys remember the early 80s Mustangs with 390 mm wheels?

View attachment 1716445427

View attachment 1716445428

Yup. There was also a smaller diameter metric wheel for the Fords as well.

 

[Kern Dog]

I remember dumpster diving for FREE throwaway tires in the sheds alongside tire stores....seeing the metric tires and having this expression..

For a few years, I'd find 15" tires with 20% tread left and grab them up. I mounted and dismounted them at home. I didn't have to pay for tires for several years!

 

[RustyRatRod]

I think if I remember right the smaller metric tires were 365mm. I've changed my fair share of each and that sticks out.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I remember dumpster diving for FREE throwaway tires in the sheds alongside tire stores....seeing the metric tires and having this expression..

View attachment 1716445429

For a few years, I'd find 15" tires with 20% tread left and grab them up. I mounted and dismounted them at home. I didn't have to pay for tires for several years!

They were......and are very expensive. I think the diameters were 365mm and 390mm. The 390 was like 15.35".

 

[1WildRT]

I think if I remember right the smaller metric tires were 365mm. I've changed my fair share of each and that sticks out.

Escorts got 365mm. But there were other sizes

315mm
340mm
365mm
390mm
415mm

Good Riddance....

 

[RustyRatRod]

Escorts got 365mm. But there were other sizes

315mm
340mm
365mm
390mm
415mm

Good Riddance....

Ferraris got them too. "Gasp"

 

[Lefty71]

I had a new Crager sbp destroyed by a Sears tire jockey

Ron White warned us about Sears long ago.....

 

[Oldmanmopar]

By the looks of the age of those wheels they are either 15 or 14. Find a shop that knows what they are talking about. 15 1/2 my ***. They they had to be mounting them on the tapered side.

 

[toolmanmike]

Today I took a set of vintage Torqthrust mags I’d picked up at a swap a while back to my local tire shop to get some rubber. To my surprise, they were unable to mount a 15” tire, it was not just tight fit, they were definitely too small. But when they tried a 16” tire, it flopped right over the rim with room to rattle, definitely too large. The guys at the tire shop said it was a 15 1/5” rim, and that I’d have to special order tires that size. I looked online and find zero references anywhere to a 15.5” wheel and tire diameter. (I don’t mean width)

What gives? Is this some bizarre rare size or what am I looking at?

Thanks

View attachment 1716445383

I bet those wheels are a steel hoop for the rim and the spokes and front ring is cast and pressed on. The tores are mounted from the back and you don't measure diameter from the outside surfaces. Bead to bead.

 

[340six]

I could mount those by hand with a tire irons and a tire hammer. You found an incompetent shop.

I was going to sat same. My buddies machine only goes so big. So always helped on the ones to big to fit.
Shop floor with a rug, soap, irons and a few guys. And at times blow um up to seat the beads. KA-BOOM!

 

[67Dart273]

I wonder what the old mechs thought, way way back when, when the first metric spark plugs showed up. Some of the old Buicks? and Chevs? I think used 10mm threads. We used to have some in the basement for some reason. The flame sensor (flame rectification) for the old Lennox pulse furnaces was a 10mm plug body with an extended electrode. Here's a sensor along with the ignitor which is nothing more than a spark plug

 

[Lefty71]

. The flame sensor (flame rectification) for the old Lennox pulse furnaces was a 10mm plug body with an extended electrode. Here's a sensor along with the ignitor which is nothing more than

I never could figure out how they manged to sell Lennox Pulse furnaces or Hydotherm Pulse boilers either....... "Ya lady, it sounds like little grenades going off in your basement. That's how you know it's werkin!!" LoL