Tires

sconnors

sconnors

Well-known member
Probably going to need a set of tires on my A soon and was wondering what people have had good luck with in terms of brands? Also, is it wise to replace the tubes also? Any good suppliers?
Thanks
Scott
 
I have firestones and Lester tires.. just bought the lester tires which were less expensive and I have been very happy with them. 1 Year on them so far.
 
I put 4000 miles on a set of Universals so far. I am happy with them, but made the mistake of running 35 psi for the first 1500 miles. Lowered the pressure to 28 psi and they seem to be wearing more evenly across the tread. Plus they ride softer too! I am not recommending 28 psi to anyone, though. It might be unsafe! It might cause tread and carcass separation, loss of directional control, road damage, Obama's re-election, the end of the world and global warming! Even so, I am running my tires at 28 psi. Every one else probably should run the recommended 35 psi.
 
Are you guys buying tires locally or online? Also should I replace the tubes and is it worth it to get metal valve stems or stick with rubber?
 
31 Tudor, got 39,000 on Goodyear first set on for little less than 3 years. 2nd set looking good also. Run Firestone on 29 roadster but it only travels about 3,000 miles per year so no wear sign but I really like the Goodyear better . They just look right on the car. have fun modelAtony, lafayette,la
 
I seem to remember reading that the Goodyear are a little wider, and do not fit in the fender well as good as Firestone? Is that true?

Has the tube blowout problem on tubes made outside the USA been solved, since there was/is not any tubes made in the USA?

I too am going to order a set of 4 tires w/tubes this summer.
 
Scott, I've got to vote for the Goodyear, "Deluxe-all Weather" Diamond tread tires. They wear well and look good too. No problems. I went with new tubes and rubber stems, but I've also got the "WWII change-over" to '35 Ford wires, if it really makes much difference. I would buy the Goodyear again.
 
Elcastor said:
I seem to remember reading that the Goodyear are a little wider, and do not fit in the fender well as good as Firestone? Is that true?

Has the tube blowout problem on tubes made outside the USA been solved, since there was/is not any tubes made in the USA?

I too am going to order a set of 4 tires w/tubes this summer.
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Firestones were the oversized tires. The Kelsey Goodyears are the best reproduction tire ever made for our cars.

New tubes MAY hold but are junk compared to the older tubes.
 
I agree with Marco about the tubes. I wouldn't replace any good old tubes.

As far as metal stems, that's a personal taste thing and I think it adds a lot of class to the car, just as a correct pin stripe does. It gives the car that complete and finished look.
 
My first Model A's in the 80's I ran Sears Allstate tires. They lasted about 20 years and had lot's of miles. The only problem was the "white wall" was actually a "yellow wall" no matter how much cleanser and bleche white you used. They are no longer made.

Since the early 90's I have been using Firestones for my Model A projects with no apparent problems. On the other hand my dad bought a new set of Firestones for a daily driver coupe a few years ago. He leaves the coupe outside 24/7. The tires developed many deep side wall cracks all around the outside side of the tire in about one years time.

I have not tried the Goodyears yet but plan to on my next project.
 
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mass A man said:
Scott, I've got to vote for the Goodyear, "Deluxe-all Weather" Diamond tread tires. They wear well and look good too. No problems. I went with new tubes and rubber stems, but I've also got the "WWII change-over" to '35 Ford wires, if it really makes much difference. I would buy the Goodyear again.
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What do you mean by WW-2 change over to 35 ford wires ?
I put a set of 35 wheels on mine, But just for look's only, I have not heard about a WW-2 change over.:confused:
 
Louis: I believe what he's referring to was that during WWII tires were rationed and it was easier to get 16" tires than 19/21" tires IF you could get them. Thus the change over to "35 ford wwires" as probably in the 50's/60's people changed to 15" (not because of rationing but availability).
Paul in CT
 
Paul,
Thanks, That's interesting, And it explanes why the 1st. "A" model I bought in 1954 at the age of 15 years old had 15" ford solid wheels on it.

It was a 1930 coupe, I bought it for $60, $20 down payment and the rest in payments, But I had to let it go back as I could not keep up the Payments.:(

I drove the hell out of that car for two mo's [as any 15 yr. old would :eek:].
And it still ran great the day I took it back.:mad:
 
When I was 16, my 31 Fordor came with either 15 or 16" Ford solid steel wheels when I bought it. I found a guy that had a set of 6 19" wires and he was only too happy to trade me straight across for mine. He wanted them for a trailer anyway, which worked out great for the both of us. I never did wear out the tires, sold the car about 3 years later.
 
I bought Universals from Mike's here in Georgia. New tubes too, as the ones ones that came with the car had many patches on them. The tires were $85 each six months ago.
I have 2000 miles on them at this time. I know that's not much. I was told that these tires would flat spot if they sat for any length of time. Don't believe it. They flat spot overnight, but it only takes a couple of miles to get them round again. I have one tube that will loose 10 pounds of pressure in a month. The rest only loose about a pound in that time. I like them so far and the price was right for me at the time. I would keep your old tubes if they appear to be serviceable. When I got my Tudor, three tires would hold air and it had been parked for 30 years! They were the red rubber tubes and one had 16 patches on it!
Hope this helps,
Paul Beeghly
 
Mal Content said:
I bought Universals from Mike's here in Georgia. New tubes too, as the ones ones that came with the car had many patches on them. The tires were $85 each six months ago.
I have 2000 miles on them at this time. I know that's not much. I was told that these tires would flat spot if they sat for any length of time. Don't believe it. They flat spot overnight, but it only takes a couple of miles to get them round again. I have one tube that will loose 10 pounds of pressure in a month. The rest only loose about a pound in that time. I like them so far and the price was right for me at the time. I would keep your old tubes if they appear to be serviceable. When I got my Tudor, three tires would hold air and it had been parked for 30 years! They were the red rubber tubes and one had 16 patches on it!
Hope this helps,
Paul Beeghly
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Paul,
That's good to know. My truck is a driver and I'm not looking to spend a lot of money on tires, I just need a good black wall that will be a good tire to drive around in and these seem like they fit the bill. I've seen Universals advertised online and they seem like a decent deal.
 
sconners. if you don't mind the thump for a couple of miles and you're on a tight budget as I am, I don't see where you can go wrong. I don't know how long they will last, but as long as they hold air and I can drive my car, I'm happy!
Paul
 
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