made a few phone calls and got lucky.found 2 mohawk chief's 8 ply truck and bus with about 30% tread and 2 goodyear custom hi-milers 6 ply that look like new and they are 700x17 no less.they were in a garage in the attic away from the elements.on mon i will go to the local truck tire store and look for flaps and tubes. this company has been around 40 years and have all kinds of weird stuff. i've had very good luck in the past. bo't a set of 22.5 in 5" on 8" stud piloted wheels for my '55 F600.they had 6 in there barn. you just never know..

 

Wow to both finds, tires and wheels. Good goin'. Stu

 

seems like the ford gods WANT you to succeed with this project! great going!