Tubeless Tires

L

Larry

Member
[FONT=&quot]Has anyone tried tubeless tires on 37-38 rims. If so, did you use tubes or not, and how did they work out? Thanks [/FONT]
 
I'm running tubeless radials on my '39 CS, stock wide five rims, with no problems. I did have tubes in them but they kept chafing at the valve stem and going flat. I keep the tubeless tires inflated to 40psi.
 
I have no experience but have been told that radial tires are designed to be tubeless; however, they do make a special tube for radial tires. A special rubber ring mounted at the valve extension is needed to avoid chafing of the tube valve extension. Makes sense to me. See replies on radial tires. Jon Laing
 
I have been using tubeless radial tire's since the late '60's on vehicles ranging from 1957 T-Birds, '58 and later pickups and large trucks up to and including eighteen wheelers. The flat tire's and/or problems I have had can be counted on just a few fingers.
Generally speaking I had more trouble with tubeless tires with tubes in them, than those without tubes. On a few very rare occasions, a tube was put put into a tubeless tire, the tube generally failed causing the tire to fail.
My '36 Ford is the only vehicle I own that has bias ply tires on it.. I don't drive it much, the tires on it are over 18 years old. I'm planning on finishing up some maintenance work on the '36 this year. One of the items will be the tires, which I intend to replace with tubeless radials on the stock wheels.
 
ive had some older spoke rims leak past the spokes on the rims, I cured that with black silicone, the stuff they use to seal windshields, ive also had to use a rim liner to stop the spokes from chaffing the tubes when I used them, most of the time tho the rims didn't leak
 
I am running tubes rated for use with radial tires in two sets of my radials that are mounted on stock '35 wire wheels. You must use tubes rated for radial tires or you will definitely have problems. I also use spacer grommet type rings at the valve stem openings to prevent chafing of the tube area around the valve stems. This is also a must on the older rims or again you will have problems. I have a lot of miles on these two sets of radial tires with no problems whatsoever. I do not personally like the idea of running modern radial tires tubeless on these older rims but many do it and it seems to work okay for them.
 
I'm running tubeless tires on stock 1938 rims. So far no problems. I haven't upgraded to radials yet, but I will after these tires wear out.
 
As a follow-up question, where do you get them mounted and balanced on a wide-5 wheel? I have been getting a lot of blank stares at the local tire joints.
 
I use a Old Hunter spin balancer, but you could buy a adapter to use wide 5's on a 4 1/2 bolt pattern and use it to balance them on the newer type balancer or even the old bubble balancer. You can buy the adapter from Speedway motors for one place.
 
I put tubeless Cooper CS5 Grand Touring (front 205/60R16, rear 235/60R16) in place of the old bias ply tires. Gives car about a 2" rack. Used 3 ounces of beads in each tire, no wobble or vibration. What a difference it rides and handles like a new car.
 
205 60 and 235 60. That's some pretty low profile tyres you got there. Are you sure it's 60? Front tyres on my pick up are 205 80 16.
Martin.
 
Plan on using radials on my 35 pickup. Will probably go with the tires & tubes. Not sure about 60 or 80 series yet. Could someone explain what the "spacer Grommets" are that are used to protect the tube valve stems ?. Where would you find them ?. NAPA ?
 
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