Metal Valve Stem Tubes

Glenn C.

Glenn C.

Well-known member
Need some more expert opinions. I have a set of rebuilt wheels with new tires mounted on tubes with metal valve stems. (original style). These tires and tubes were mounted several years ago in preparation for the assembly of another Model A.
Question is: Would a person be asking for trouble if these wheels with tires and tubes were installed on another "driver" for touring, with a strong degree of dependability. I don't want flats 200 miles from home.
Originally these tires were going to be on a vehicle to be entered for judging.

Reason for thinking this way......life is too short.....want to have fun instead.
 
I've been running metal stem tubes for over 6 years. Have never had a problem with the metal stem. Now the quality of the tubes is another matter. The tubes, with metal stems, that came from a major tire supplier continue to loose air. About every three to four weeks they will have lost up to 4-6 pounds of air.

I recently started to change over to metal stem tubes from Bratton's. These hold air just fine.

Most members of our club run metal stem tubes and we do a lot of touring. Can't really say that the metal stem tubes cause any more problems than rubber stem tubes as far as flat tires go.
 
Saw a model A pick-up this summer (I almost bought it before I got my tudor), he had installed new tires with MOTORCYCLE tubes, seemed a good idea and when I get my 16" wires cleaned up probably the way I will go. It's a driver .
Paul in CT
 
It has been my experience that the metal stems work very well. As with any stem, they are no better than the valve itself. My '30 Coupe, which is a driver, has 40 K miles on the metal stems as purchased from Bratton's. I have found some corrosion on the bridge washer when changing tires as a result of water seeping inside the tire through the valve stem hole in the wheel. Glass beading and painting the part fixes that problem. I check the pressures at least twice a year and find little loss. Gar Williams
 
I run metal valves stems on a 28 and also a 31. I have never had the covers or caps disappear. I have never had a flat (knock on wood) due to a valve stem failing. I would reccomend going ahead an running the wheels with metal stems on them.
 
1931 flamingo said:
Saw a model A pick-up this summer (I almost bought it before I got my tudor), he had installed new tires with MOTORCYCLE tubes, seemed a good idea and when I get my 16" wires cleaned up probably the way I will go. It's a driver .
Paul in CT
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A friend from Ct. has those motorcycle tubes on his pickup (may be the same one) and the stems look smaller in diameter than the Model A ones so I don't think the stock cap will fit over them. Do they have the metal bridge inside? I've been using the tubes from Tam's, the tubes are good and thick and they use the std. caps and hardware.
 
I have run metal stems for 25 years with no problems and no dissapearances.

For a long trip last year I bought all new tires and tubes and installed metal stems. I had 7 flat tires. NONE were due to the metal stems.

The new tubes, which were nice and thick, and made in Denmark, split wide open.

Run what you have and enjoy. I agree. Life is short. Enjoy DRIVING your A. See you on the road.

Richard
Anaheim CA
 
I've been running metal valve stems on my '29 touring since 1967, and my '28 roadster since 1986 - no problems with either, and no missing hardware ever. I would advise to go ahead and use them.

Dick
 
Richard in Anaheim CA said:
I have run metal stems for 25 years with no problems and no dissapearances.

For a long trip last year I bought all new tires and tubes and installed metal stems. I had 7 flat tires. NONE were due to the metal stems.

The new tubes, which were nice and thick, and made in Denmark, split wide open.

Run what you have and enjoy. I agree. Life is short. Enjoy DRIVING your A. See you on the road.

Richard
Anaheim CA
Click to expand...


Richard, was it just the tube that split ( the casing did not fail ) ?
 
I've had metal stems in my Model A's since 1980. Those are still holding air, no leaks. Two other cars, 1990, and 2000, when the original valve stems were installed. No leaks, no loss of covers.
Oh wait, I did have one inner valve go bad some time back. The rubber sealer on the valve appeared dry and brittle. I probably put in an old original valve. I normally use new valves to ensure the rubber will hold air.
I recommend using the metal stems. They just look so much better than the rubber stems sticking out there.

Dave Lopes
 
I have used orginial valve stem since 1983 with no problems at all. I use A+L's metal stems and hardware on a driver. No rubber's here!:p:rolleyes:
 
To Special Coupe Frank. It was only the tubes that split. The tires were Universal (cheap) and suffered no damage even after being run flat to come to a stop but they did wear poorly.

Richard
Anahem CA
 
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