Hi guys!
Hope you had a great week-end!

Again a Widowmaker question!!!
I've read a lot of post on rim type on this site and I found a lot of information!
But I took some picture of my rims and I would really appreciate if someone can look at the pictures and confirm me if those rim are good or should go to scrap metal! I don't know if it could help but on rim you can read 7RT-1015-A.
Reading all post I know that some of you guys are real pro on the question so I will wait for your opinion!

Thanks in advance!

 

Yes, they're rusted widow makers. Be careful. Are the tires inflated now?

 

Forget to say...
The truck is a f5 (f-135) 1948 firetruck...
Thanks for your help!

 

Yes they are...
So it's a bomb waiting to explode!!!
Thanks for your help!!!

 

Yep, those are the ones that can cut your day (and life) really short. Widowmakers indeed!

 

Time to shoot the tires out and roll them down a ravine.

 

I think this news will help me to take my decision and swipe the axle at the same time!
Those rims are hard to find here in Canada!
And with the 6.66 rear axle ratio it will be a long drive to the shooting range to destroy those rims!
Another decision to take that will slow my project!!!
Thanks for your help!

 

So I thought widowmaker referred to split rims only? I can not see the detachable rim in the pictures as it is on the other side, not shown.

Are any rusty wheels generally called widowmakers?

 

If it can help!

 

That raised "band" behind the rivets on that rim is the separation point. His first set of pictures actually show it. And, no, just any old rusty wheel is not necessarily a widowmaker.

Those are indeed the classic two-piece rims that have killed many, many people over the years. That needs to be absolutely clear here.

 

Ok, so the ones I am thinking of have the removable rim only on one side right near the edge, are they also considered widowmakers, or only these ones with the join in the middle?

With the wheels he has pictured, is the raised band just a manufacturing style? Is the tire supposed to be removed over the rim? Or is the rim popped in half and tire changed like that? Just curious?

 

No, the ones with a "lock ring" on the outside (when mounted on front wheels) are acceptable IF they are in good condition. Cutaway of a WM below

 

Thank you all I did not even know those wheels existed!

 

In all seriousness, especially seeing how rusted they are, be very careful letting the air out of them. A method I like is to stand to the side, out of the line of fire, and drill a small hole into the middle of the tire tread. That way your hand is not at risk removing the valve core if one lets go. Stu

 

Thanks for the advice M. McMillan!