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Lincoln "L" Technical Questions

Converting Wood to Wire Wheels
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This question was for a 1929 sedan I was considering purchasing and that deal fell through. Thanks for the help though.







My 1929, a 168B limo, has wood spoke wheels. Mine are painted body color, natural wood finish was a factory alternative. When starting a restoration about 15 years ago, I was advised by some LOC members to keep the wood wheels, as they were very unusual for a car as late as '29.

Changing to welded wire wheels requires changing axle hubs, brake drums, and wheels. It was far less costly for me to have wheels re-spoked by an excellent local wheelwright than to find, purchase, and recondition all the other parts. I drove the car back in the '60s with the original wheels.

What is the condition of your wheels? any squeaks or clicks when driving very slowly? Wheel noises are an indication of loose spokes, not necessarily a big problem, but it only gets worse with use. New spokes made of proper material (air dried 8% moisture hickory). I decided to rebuild my wheels when a car restoration was begun, a few spokes were loose, one rear spoke was split. The wood wheels are very strong, last a long time. Nowadays, these cars don't collect a lot of miles, so a set of wheels last forever.

Find yourself a rim jack that can handle a 4" wide rim, or an original Kelsey-Hayes Rim Tongs (Lincoln tool kit), and you can dismount and mount tires easily. The modern tire shop machine will not work on these rims.


The spare tire carrier(s) are also quite different for wire wheels and wood wheels.


If you decide to proceed with changing wheels, I have been looking for a replacement rear brake drum...

1929 that came originally with wooden wheels.

For 1929 is it an easy changover or just as hard as with earlier cars?

What year is this car?


By 1929 welded wire wheels were standard and wood wheels could be ordered but it was not common.


If you car is earlier and has wood wheels it will be a major task to convert to welded spoke.

What all is involved with converting a late Lincoln L from wood wheels to the welded wire wheels? What parts are needed besides the welded wire wheels themselves?
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