Ford 28" Hat rims to new 28" hoop rims: Frustratio

I am now in the process of replacing the old rusted out hat rims on my Ford 2000 Industrial (4 cyl). The frustrations are building some as I had only planned on installing four new tires and tubes on the rear, but was gifted with new opportunities along the way including the rusted out hat rims.

The new hoop rims arrived today and brought with them some surprises and frustrations even though they say they work for my tractor...

First: The carriage bolts no longer work due to the round form of the hoop so another $100.00 to resolve bolt issues for mounting the four rear centers to the rims.

Second: My original centers measure out at 25 5 / 8" and the new hoop rims only allow for 25 3 / 8".

Has anyone else experienced the center size issue?

Is it common practice and safe to remove (grind away) 1 / 8" from each rounded tab edge on the center to make things work?

I need to get this back together by Sunday...
 
No need to grind. The tite fit will stop wheel clunk down the road. Put couple bolts in and give it big ole thump with BFH. They quit hat rims in 53-54.
 

I'm not so sure a good thump'll do the trick. there is 1 / 4 " difference. I'll run out and look again.

I wonder why my '62 has four of the hat/box rims on the rear...
 
Yeah I had the same panic with the loop rims till I realized it was just slightly out of round and snugged them down then thunked it with my 12lb deadblow hammer and they popped right down.
 

I see that some hoop rims have a tapered hoop seat. Mine do not. It does appear as though I will need to grind some.

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Agree with the others, assemble slightly loose and they will pull in.

Ps, the carriage will still work too.
 

Thanks to all!

I'll get a good night's rest, head out for new bolts (only 12 of my 24 were salvageable due to rust) and then give er heck!
 
the later fords used that rim with a round head bolt with one little lug on it to keep it turning---the 2000 didn't come with the hat rims,
the new rim will wedge in tight if you have the right centers---just go for new bolts
 
(quoted from post at 15:47:09 04/30/16) the later fords used that rim with a round head bolt with one little lug on it to keep it turning---the 2000 didn't come with the hat rims,
the new rim will wedge in tight if you have the right centers---just go for new bolts

I must not have the "correct" centers because there is no way to get the centers to pop into the rims no mater what size persuasion I use. I need to grind some...

I discovered another glitch. The valve stem holes are on the narrow side of the rim. On the hat rims the valve stem hole was on the wide side of the rim. (Perfect for duals) This is an issue with the duals as there is no room to get to the valve stem after they are mounted. I will see if I can mount the rims to the outer limits and get enough space to get to the stems, but may not have clearance for the inners to be mounted in that position. I'm hoping for the best...

Seems like this has become the never ending project that should have been a relatively quick task.
 
've seated carriage bolts in rims like that. don't take much to keep them from spinning under torque.
 
Well, I finally got things together!

Had to grind, used new bolts and needed to mount outer rim outward to allow me to reach between the duals to check and fill air as needed...
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