Radials on Kelsey Hayes

I've been running tubeless radials on OEM KH rims for years, both 15" & 16", even on our '39 CS wide five rims. I originally used radial tubes on the '39 but the valve stems kept chafing, causing the tube to loose air...:( After replacing several tubes, and having the same result,:eek: I decided to see if the tire alone on the rim would hold air. We installed tubeless valve stems, mounted and inflated the tires (I keep the radial psi at 40 lbs.) and, so far, so good.:) I drove the '39 CS up to Dawsonville, GA last October for the Moonshine Festival and put around 1400 miles on her (just a short weekend trip). The one tire that still had a tube developed a slow leak and went flat overnight, in my driveway, after we got home...:mad: We removed the tube and remounted the tire as I did with the others, now the '39 CS is completely tubeless.;)
 
One of the wheels has a coating of what resembles silicone around the inside, covering the spoke nubs that stick up inside. I wander if I can put silicone around the other 3?
on the one, it looks like it was factory done. Kinda feels like a cross between foam and silicone. Any suggestions?
 
I had a new set of Mclean wire wheels that came with a thick layer of silicone type stuff covering the spoke nipples.
 
I have a '68 XKE that my dad bought new, it has a wide rubber band on the inside of each wire wheel, that protects the radial tube (yes, the car came equipped with Pirelli radial tires and tubes) from contact with the spokes. I think that type of "band" is available, I'd check with the tire distributors.
 
I have a set of 16" K-H bent spoke rims that I put a coating of Black RTV silicone on the ends of the spokes on the inside of the rim. Made a complete band around the rim. I haven't mounted any tires on them as of today so can't say how they will hold up or hold air. I eventually plan to run them tubeless.
 
Kelsy Hayes, we're talking wires, right ?
Silicone the spoke nipples really good & run your radials with out tubes.
Worked for me .
 
I have been running radial (Diamondback) tires on stock '35, 16" wire wheels using tubes rated for radial tires. There is a small plastic spacer available that fits in the valve stem hole in the rim that protects the valve stem on the tube to prevent what happened on Vic's car. I have over 20,000 miles on these tires now, that are on my Avatar car, with no problems whatsoever. My preference is to run tubes rated for ratial tires with the radials on my cars, but there are many success stories of those who run radials tubeless on these old Ford wheels.
 
Hello All,

I've Spent a lot of time lurking here, but never posted. Guess it's time I start!

Just some info I gathered about silicone. My local glass company says absolutely no silicone, it will rust steel. They recommend urethane windshield adhesive. I've used it for years on spoke and riveted wheels with 100% success.

Thanks for listening,
Stan
 
You are referring to the windowweld. I used that to replace the leather tack strips inside the top bows on my 29 roadster. Great stuff. Pretty expensive. Bet it will work great on the wheels. Thanks
BC
 
JM 35 Sedan said:
I have been running radial (Diamondback) tires on stock '35, 16" wire wheels using tubes rated for radial tires. There is a small plastic spacer available that fits in the valve stem hole in the rim that protects the valve stem on the tube to prevent what happened on Vic's car. I have over 20,000 miles on these tires now, that are on my Avatar car, with no problems whatsoever. My preference is to run tubes rated for ratial tires with the radials on my cars, but there are many success stories of those who run radials tubeless on these old Ford wheels.
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I am running Kelsey's with Tubes , the PLASTIC SPACERS are called " GROMMETS" , They are necessary because the new tubes have tiny Chinese Valve stems , without them the tubes will suffer at the base of the valve stem
 
Dave Mc said:
I am running Kelsey's with Tubes , the PLASTIC SPACERS are called " GROMMETS" , They are necessary because the new tubes have tiny Chinese Valve stems , without them the tubes will suffer at the base of the valve stem
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Where can one find these "GROMMETS"?
 
Vic Piano said:
Where can one find these "GROMMETS"?
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I got them from O'Reilly's Auto Parts , when I ordered my tubes , most tire stores have them or can get them and know you need them

I have an extra one ,
 

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Vic Piano said:
Where can one find these "GROMMETS"?
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Hey Vic,
I purchased my steel belted tires and special tubes...and 'grommets' from Coker factory outlet in Sacremento ..years ago. Coker makes good equipment for our rims , IMO, including tires/tubes (heavy suckers) and 'stem protectors' / grommets.

IMO these old spokers , if not leaking when you put your tire on ...will flex and leak ...without some precautionary work beforehand. And, that is what I've always done with 100% satisfaction over many years.

I wouldn't use silly cone, for same reason that first timer poster above !!
There is LIQUID rubber (comes in colors:D) in spray cans that makes the job easy and perfect. My own method ...I make super clean after powder coating. Then liquid rubber coating, let that dry, a few winds of gorilla tape ..aka thousand mileanhour tape. Then spray liquid rubber over entire center and when dry...bullet proof, eh ! Hm, I sold rims to guys just because they liked the idea that no air leaks after this process.
 
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