Rear tire spacing on a MF 35

[The kid]

I believe that answers it, I might be purchasing a 35 quite soon, it's close and the price is right. Thank you.

There is a guy down the road from me that has an original 1967 Deluxe 135 and looks to be totally complete with a new clutch for around $2800. If it's not raining tommorro I'm going back to check it out. My wife threatened to put a gun to my head.. <jk>

 

[WilliamTO-35]

As you've discovered, there are several rear tread widths available. In my experience, no combination will hit the brake drums. If you do decide to separate the wheel spider ( bolts to the axle) from the outer rim, the outer rim bolt/nuts are sometimes rusted, and not worth reusing. It's a good place to use an impact wrench for removal. However, replacement bolts and nuts are as close as your Lowes store , and inexpensive. The 5/8 inch hot dipped galvanized carriage bolts ( smooth head, square just under the head) are a perfect match for your rim bolt loops. I don't recall the length you need, but that's easy to measure. You'll want some galvanized lock washers too. As for the lug nuts, they're not so easy to replace. Put some penetrating oil on them for a couple of days first. On my 1955 Ferguson TO-35, I've found the lug nuts to be in good shape , and they're easy to remove.

 

[The kid]

As you've discovered, there are several rear tread widths available. In my experience, no combination will hit the brake drums. If you do decide to separate the wheel spider ( bolts to the axle) from the outer rim, the outer rim bolt/nuts are sometimes rusted, and not worth reusing. It's a good place to use an impact wrench for removal. However, replacement bolts and nuts are as close as your Lowes store , and inexpensive. The 5/8 inch hot dipped galvanized carriage bolts ( smooth head, square just under the head) are a perfect match for your rim bolt loops. I don't recall the length you need, but that's easy to measure. You'll want some galvanized lock washers too. As for the lug nuts, they're not so easy to replace. Put some penetrating oil on them for a couple of days first. On my 1955 Ferguson TO-35, I've found the lug nuts to be in good shape , and they're easy to remove.

Be careful using bolts other than the required bolts. The wheel bolts have a special notch of the head to keep them from turning while tightening to the rim center points. If I ever have to break my rims down i may have to buy new rims. It looks like someone had the same idea as yours and tack welded the bolt heads to the rim mounting loops.

The special rim bolts are less than three dollars a piece and well the money to insure a secure attachment. They are specially made for a reason. You don't want to compromise safety to save a few bucks or connivence of purchase.

 

[WilliamTO-35]

Kid- That's why I specified using carriage bolts , which have not just a notch, but a full square section under the head. That square section fits perfectly into the rim bolt loop, and prevents the bolt from turning while you tighten the nut. There's no danger using those carriage bolts, and they are more than strong enough. But you can certainly use original equipment bolts if you prefer, if they are readily available. At no point in my post did I recommend welding the bolt heads to the rim, nor is it necessary using the square shank on a carriage bolt. My observation is also that hot dipped galvanized carriage bolts have vastly superior rust resistance to the factory bolts, and if you ever have to remove them again, you won't have to buy new bolts.

 

[aczlan]

Kid- That's why I specified using carriage bolts , which have not just a notch, but a full square section under the head. That square section fits perfectly into the rim bolt loop, and prevents the bolt from turning while you tighten the nut. There's no danger using those carriage bolts, and they are more than strong enough. But you can certainly use original equipment bolts if you prefer, if they are readily available. At no point in my post did I recommend welding the bolt heads to the rim, nor is it necessary using the square shank on a carriage bolt. My observation is also that hot dipped galvanized carriage bolts have vastly superior rust resistance to the factory bolts, and if you ever have to remove them again, you won't have to buy new bolts.

Just make sure they are the right grade bolt...

Aaron Z

 

[WilliamTO-35]

Six 5/8 inch diameter bolts of ordinary grade have about 10 times the shear and tensile strength needed for this application. The 8 lug studs would fail long before these rim bolts would.

 

[aczlan]

Six 5/8 inch diameter bolts of ordinary grade have about 10 times the shear and tensile strength needed for this application. The 8 lug studs would fail long before these rim bolts would.

Ordinary grade being ungraded, grade 3, or grade 5? Most carriage bolts at my local Lowes are ungraded bolts.

Aaron Z

 

[The kid]

Six 5/8 inch diameter bolts of ordinary grade have about 10 times the shear and tensile strength needed for this application. The 8 lug studs would fail long before these rim bolts would.

Question is. How much torque can you put on a galvanized bolt before it compromises the coating. I still think jamming a carriage bolt is a bad idea. I don't think there is enough square to catch in the bolt hole. The factory bolt is designed to extend outside the tip cap of the bolt. There is a marking on the factory bolt with an arrow to align the bolt properly. Your assuming the square of a carriage bolt is going to fit in a 5/8 hole. The square cut of a carriage bolt is slightly larger thus it would have to be jammed into the opening. It might work, but certainly not the method I'd use. I'd use OEM replacement parts obtained thru a local dealer.

 

[promethiusgarden]

I bought it today.

 

[murphy1244]

I bought it today.

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View attachment 291810

Yep, flip those rims.. Nice machine!