Kaiser Frazer Owners Club Forum
General Category => Kaiser Forum => Topic started by: Bad49chevy on October 20, 2010, 03:03:06 PM
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Again I am very new to the Kaiser world and was wanting to know what bolt pattern is on the kaiser. The car looks to have the original rims with the small moon hub caps and coker wide wall bias ply tires. I was wanting to put a different set on her. Any one with this information would be great.
Thanks Terry
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The bolt pattern and center hole match concurrent Mopar applications. I think they used the same pattern thru the 1970s and maybe into the early 80s for some models. Ford also used the same bolt pattern but the center hub hole is bigger so it's not recommended to use Ford rims.
KF drums have a guide pin and if you check your rims, you'll see extra holes to accomodate the pin. If you use more modern rims, you may have to remove the pin.
In any case, check the rim width on the KF unit and don't exceed it by more than 1/2 inch with the new rim...otherwise, you'll run into clearance issues.
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I believe that the 70s ? Platform cars, maybe into the early? 80s used the right sort of wheel. Forget the platform name, but it included the Dodge Diplomat? and Plymouth ? and maybe C Cordoba and D Mirada? In other words, the last slant six/318 (and family) V8 front engine rear wheel drive sedans used extensively as police cars, taxis etc.
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The Mopar and Ford rims Jim L and Jim B are referring to have a 5 bolt, 4 1/2 inch bolt circle. The use of these stock Ford rims is not encouraged because while the studs are the same size as KF bolts, the Ford lug nuts were larger (more metal between the threads and the hex so you use a 13/16 wrench instead of a 3/4). So the holes for the studs on the Ford rims are too large for the KF wheel bolts.
Your next problem is finding a 15 inch rim that is narrow enough. The Mopar police rims look nice and a number of Studebaker people have tried them on their cars but they are going to be too wide.
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Okay, if not the police car rims, what rims would fit? Is it some van/truck rims? I was pretty sure that SOME Mopar rim in a junkyard would fit--sortof.
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Is the intent here to replace missing rims or upgrade to radial tires? If the latter, you may find that you'll have to make adjustments to steering and suspension for radials.
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It is a given when changing from bias to radials that there will have to be some adjustments to the steering and suspension setup, as radials have different characteristics and toe-in, camber etc will all have to be looked at. I have not updated my 49 Kaiser yet, although all the Studebakers have been changed. With the Studebakers both 6 and V8, I use or have used 205/75/15 or 215/75/15 on modern Ford rims. I was more or less waiting until I could afford to do the new(er) rims, and new tires all at once, but it has reached the point that either I get new G78 or some such bias tires, or go radial. I try to run radials that are as near as possible in size to the bias in height and width to minimize the change and stress. For example, I'd just never put low profile type radials on a Kaiser and 'drive it like a modern car', throwing it around corners faster than it was driven in a straight line back in 49. Neither would I up the HP or put in a V8. They don't have to be a Coker or similar faithful reproduction to the OEM tire, either, because my goal is driving safely to a place, not trailering a car to a meet for judging points. So, that being said, what rims for radials should I be using for my 49 for radials?
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So basically I need to keep the rims that are on it. The tires look pretty new they are coker. I would like to find chrome bullets for the centers any ideas.
Thanks
Terry
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Terry - Try Wheel Vintiques. They have a vast array of wheels, center caps, bullets, etc. Maybe, just maybe, they'll have exactly what you're looking for!
Gary.
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Gary
Thanks I will give them a try. :)
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Now one thing that has not been mentioned is to just buy new rims from a trailer supply company. Some years ago a Studebaker Drivers Club member was advertising new rims for later model Studebakers. I mentioned this to a friend and he told me he thought he knew the guy because my friend worked at Southwest Wheel in Dallas and one particular person had come in several times and bought sets of wheels that were 5 bolt, 15 inch, 4 1/2 inch bolt circle.