1952 VAI Rear wheel is bad - suggestions?

[zanny1]

Everything was coming along smoothly in reviving the 1952 VAI rescued from a backyard after 15 years of inactivity...... went out this morning before Church and the left rear tire was FLAT. I jacked up the rear axle and refilled the tire to 20 psi...... looks like the rim is bit rotten (and having been repaired) in the neighborhood around the valve stem.
So I will try some "Slime" as a temporary solution, but will probably need a new tube and maybe a new rim.
Rim appears to be 10" x 24" that is clamped to the hub. I've never seen anything like this before.
Does this rim have a particular identification or description?
Do I just take the clamps off and remove the rim? In the past, tire service guys come to the house and change the tire and tube while the wheel is on the tractor. I'd like to have some ideas before I fork over the cost of a call out and a tube change.
A little help is appreciated here. Thank you.

 

[shaun wallace]

Several mfg used that setup. I have 2 WC Allis like that, they are 28s. Where are the Anti rotation lugs that are supposed to be either side of stem? Appears to have been slipping with scruffed up paint.

 

[Tgrasher]

Sorry for your set back, it happens too frequently when working with these old tractors. If the Slime would work, it would be very short lived, as your rim is giving way. The mess it makes is not worth the short fix because you will be cleaning it off when you can actually be fixing the problem. Your tube may still be salvaged if it's not stuck to the rim with rust from calcium chloride. Jack your axle up, spin the valve stem to the top, unscrew the core, and slowly spin the valve core down to see if water comes out. If it does, you've got to catch it by slipping a hose over the valve stem and catching it in containers. If not, oh happy day! Lube your rim lock bolts because the rims got to come off as well as the tire so the rim can have new metal welded in. If you elect for a new tube and rim it will cost but also save work and time. Hard to make that decision until you see how bad the rim and tube are.

 

[zanny1]

No water in the rim, so that is good news. Thanks for the tip about the clamps. All of them were loose. There is a stop on the rim, just not located next to the nipple. I will get someone out here to remove the tube with the wheel on the tractor and have a look at the inside of the rim. The tires were new many years ago, so hopefully the inside of the rim is not too bad. New tubes are not that expensive, so will just order one to be safe.
You can see in the picture where the area around the nipple has been repaired at one point. Hopefully it is salvageable.
On a good note.... set the governor linkage per the shop manual and lubed everything.... no more 'hunting'. The motor goes to fast idle properly. AND I polarized the generator, installed new wiring and the thing works. Amazing after sitting outside in the Phoenix heat for 15 years. Puts out about 15A at fast idle, drops back to just off center at slow idle.

 

[Tgrasher]

There are three types of problems with old tractors, one like your rim is obvious and you know what needs done be it a pain, two, those that are caused by lack of maintenance that require cleaning, adjusting, replacing ect., thirdly, those that baffles everyone and if you ask, you get five different solutions. If you can escape the last, life is good.

 

[zanny1]

Thanks Tgrasher. I have restored probably 30+ vintage tractors over the years, although few had rusted out rims so this was a challenge for me. I did an Oliver 70 standard about 10 years ago, ordered new tires for it and found out the rims were completely rusted thru. Fortunately, I had a 70 standard parts tractor with good rims, so the solution was an easy one.
When I sold my place in Prescott, Arizona in 2019, I had 14 vintage tractors and crawlers...... sold all of them and moved here to Phoenix due to health problems. Never thought I'd own another vintage tractor. We have a cabin in the mountains north of here and the Case will do nicely up there once I am finished with the work. It's fun to be working on a "rescue" again.

Yes, I am familiar with Myriad of opinions on this site..... but have found most are genuine and provide a good date point to make things right.
I am learning that parts for this model are not as easy to find as some of the others I had (MM,Oliver, JD, Cletrac etc). This is my first Case tractor. I have always liked the VA series. I may get rid of the loader as it is HUGE and makes steering for an old guy like me rather difficult.
Thanks
Mike

 

[Tgrasher]

You did a nice job on the Oliver, I've found I'm beginning to like my tractors with power steering more myself.

 

[zanny1]

Follow-up post: got the tire off the rim. Rim was fine. Had a little rust inside but that cleaned up easily. Mystery was condition of the tube. I have never seen a tube like this. Correct size and near new, but twisted. I put another post on the YTM forums asking what could create this situation.
Anyway, installed another new tube and all seems well.