War Department 16” divided rim: British and Canadian manufacture

[Hanno Spoelstra]

As per the thread new 9.00-16 tyres for WD split rim wheels, Mike Kelly measured up some tyres and found out that the wheel diameter of the British/Canadian 16" tyres and rims are ¼" larger than those of US 16" tires and rims. That is why standard 9.00-16 tyres which are not marked "for British rim" can be hard to fit to this type of rim.

I measured the circumference at the bead at 129 cm which converts to a wheel diameter of 16,2 inch. The circumference of the British and Canadian made rims is the same.

Wheel rim dimensions.gif

[Owen Evans]

My Canadian rims have the attached instruction plate welded to them. Not present on my British rims (but they could have corroded away, of course).

Owen.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Owen Evans

My Canadian rims have the attached instruction plate welded to them. Not present on my British rims (but they could have corroded away, of course).

Thanks for the addition, Owen. I have a British rim for sale which still has the instruction plate attached.

IMG_5931_resized.jpg

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Hanno,

Another difference I have noticed between Ford Kelsey and GM Canada rims is the GM rims have an embossed pattern around the outer rim just noticeable in the photo. Ford rims are smooth at that position.

Cheers,

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Jacques Reed

Another difference I have noticed between Ford Kelsey and GM Canada rims is the GM rims have an embossed pattern around the outer rim just noticeable in the photo. Ford rims are smooth at that position.

Thanks Jacques, I have never noticed that before (or did not recall Tony mentioning this back in 2006...). Nice detail!

[Mike Cecil]

Are these 'split-rims' or 'two-piece rims' or 'divided rims'? I know we all refer to CMP wheels as split rims, but strictly speaking, is that correct? I thought that split-rims referred to the rim with an outer locking ring which had a gap, and CMPs had two-piece rims? I noticed the diagram a couple of posts back used the term 'divided rim' - had not seen that before.

What's the correct terminology?

Also, Tony's comment about the 25-pdr and Trailer No.27 Mk.1 having left and right hand thread studs/wheel nuts. That is so for early production but by 1943, only right hand thread studs and nuts were used throughout, and retrofit kits issued for guns and trailers already in service. (Stud, Wheel, Cone seating, No.3 and Nut, Cone Seating, wheel stud, No.4). Just how many were retrofitted is an unknown, of course.

Mike

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

Are these 'split-rims' or 'two-piece rims' or 'divided rims'? I know we all refer to CMP wheels as split rims, but strictly speaking, is that correct? I thought that split-rims referred to the rim with an outer locking ring which had a gap, and CMPs had two-piece rims? I noticed the diagram a couple of posts back used the term 'divided rim' - had not seen that before.

What's the correct terminology?

The "divided rim" shown above come from the article on US wheels & tires.

The 1942 Ford MB-F1 Maintenance Manual lists "Wheel Type: Split"

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Owen Evans

My Canadian rims have the attached instruction plate welded to them. Not present on my British rims (but they could have corroded away, of course).

Here's another variation of the instruction plate, have not seen this before.

This is a British rim, as it has the valve stem opening to the right of the bolt.

British 16 inch rim instruction plate.jpg