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| | | | Joined: May 2022 Posts: 28 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2022 Posts: 28 | Can anyone steer me (pun intended!) in the right direction to locate a vendor of tube flaps specifically for my 1939 1/2 ton’s original 16 x4 rims? I’ve been trying to locate them online with no luck. Thank you!
Mike
1939 1/2 ton Chevy
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,999 Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT | | Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,999 | Mike, I took a peek through the web and couldn't find anything the was "specifically" for your '39 1/2 Ton's 16x4 rims. I did find some sources for inner tube flaps that might fill your need, depending on how wide a surface you want/need to cover on your rims to protect the inner tubes. None of these are mine, just stuff I found web surfing: https://www.cokertire.com/accessories/16-rimstrip.html (only 1-1/4" wide protection surface) https://www.lucasclassictires.com/15-16-Rim-Strip-60.htm (2-1/2" wide protective surface) https://www.ebay.com/itm/224584729408 (3" wide protective surface - designed for extra wide motorcycle rims with 16" diameter so may also work for you) Some or all of these may need nips taken out for innertube inflation valve positioning, but should suffice to protect your inner tubes I think. Hope this info may be helpful.  Dan
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100Follow this story in the DITY Gallery"My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine"1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | Check out a tractor trailer shop for and old tube. Cut to fit and a light dab of adhesive will work good. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,233 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,233 | Not sure what the wheels look like or why you need flaps, but a really thick coating of POWDER COAT will smooth out a pretty rough wheel. Most truck tire shops offer the wheel reconditioning service for a pretty reasonable price if you like silver, black, or white wheels. | | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,150 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,150 | I don't think that they originally came with flaps, just the tubes. But like Joe H said, if the rims are rough from rust, they can be smoothed out. I mounted tires with tubes on my 4.5 inch wide 16" original wheels after having them powder coated. They're holding air, although the truck isn't on the road yet.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,233 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,233 | 40 years ago I wrapped my 1935 Chevy Coupe wire wheels with about 5 wraps of duct tape to protect the tube...they are still holding air just fine. Mike B  | | | | | Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 6,941 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 6,941 | Painting the inside of the rim with FlexSeal or similar will also help. That stuff also works well to seal tubeless rims that are riveted together.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
| | | | | Joined: May 2022 Posts: 28 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2022 Posts: 28 | Thank you very much, everyone, for the resources, links, and suggestions! I am definitely feeling much more confident about coming up with a viable solution for protecting my tubes.
Take care and thanks again!
Mike
1939 1/2 ton Chevy
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