Tyres!

[Synchro909]

I need help to make a decision.
I think I would be better off buying a good tyre that will get me a long way down the road. Shipping would be the same for a cheap and nasty low mileage tyre as a good one.
What brand of tyre do you guys think gives the best mileage? I only run black walls.

 

[nkaminar]

Although more expensive, you will get better mileage out of radial tires and the cost per mile will be less. As far as brand is concerned, I don't have enough experience to recommend one over another. Modern tires have a mileage rating. If you are running 16 inch tires then a good truck tire will be your best bet and they are less expensive than tires made for vintage vehicles.

 

[springerpete]

Not knowing your car's condition but I urge you to be sure the alignment is right on and the toe in is also set right. Too bad to put nice radials, ( yes radials) on a car that is not set up right. Balancing is key as well. Bill

 

[Bob Bidonde]

I have been a dedicated user of Universal brand tires, and they last about 25,000 to 30,000 miles. The last set of Universal tires I bought from Summit Racing for $120 each plus shipping. Universal now belongs to Coker Tire. By the way, Universal tires fit into fender wells.

 

[CT Jack]

Agree with those suggesting radials. I have American Classic USA made radials on my 31 Coupe. The ride and handling is much improved compared to bias ply tires. Just curious, do you have a good selection of tires in your neck of the woods or do you have go to other countries?

 

[Kurt in NJ]

I put the Stal excelsior radials on— the 550-19 then found the speedometer off and had to change the turtle gear to the one for the 3:54 ratio so I don’t get a speeding ticket.
At an indicated 60 I was passing cars on the parkway.
The tire goes 9” more a revolution that the goodyear tires it had before

 

[ronn]

or you could order 2 sets of cheap tires and get a better shipping rate............


yes Im joking!

 

[Y-Blockhead]

I put the Stal excelsior radials on— the 550-19 then found the speedometer off and had to change the turtle gear to the one for the 3:54 ratio so I don’t get a speeding ticket.
At an indicated 60 I was passing cars on the parkway.
The tire goes 9” more a revolution that the goodyear tires it had before

Kurt, What is the diameter of the Stahls? Thanks

Never mind, found it on Coker site, 30". Same as American Classic 4.75/5.00R-19, according to Coker.

 

[katy]

30" circumference?

 

[Kurt in NJ]

the circumference is 9” more than the goodyear tires I had before
I will measure them later this afternoon,but with the goodyear tire my speedometer matched the radar signs and with the 550 radial tires i would be doing 40 when the speedometer read 35

 

[Y-Blockhead]

30" circumference?

Sorry, Diameter... Thanks for keeping me honest. I changed it!

 

[Synchro909]

Most of the Model As here are on 21" wheels although I have 19" ones on a couple of them. Radials sound like a good idea but are 21" ones available at a similar price to the 19" ones?
As Neil Kaminar suggests, the critical figure is not so much the cost of a tyre but the cost per mile over its life.
I have had good experience with Firestone 5.25X21 6 ply tyres and would be OK with more of them - or better life. Those 5.50X19 Excelsior radials sound good I look for ward to seeing what their diameter (or circumference) is. My cars are built for touring so I like larger diameter tyre.

I have been a dedicated user of Universal brand tires, and they last about 25,000 to 30,000 miles. The last set of Universal tires I bought from Summit Racing for $120 each plus shipping. Universal now belongs to Coker Tire. By the way, Universal tires fit into fender wells.

Bob, I have heard from others that Universals are not so good. Your comment and mileage quoted seem almost too good to be true. That mileage figure is about what I would expect from a much more expensive tyre.

 

[BlueSunoco]

I have been a dedicated user of Universal brand tires, and they last about 25,000 to 30,000 miles. The last set of Universal tires I bought from Summit Racing for $120 each plus shipping. Universal now belongs to Coker Tire. By the way, Universal tires fit into fender wells.

I agree with Bob. Universals are about the best buy tire for the money.

Unless you plan on putting beau coup miles on a set of radials I just don't see how they are actually practical BECAUSE you have to remember that the shelf life of a tire is 7 years tops. After that you should replace them they are marginally safe any older than that and they become dangerous by eight to ten years...
That radial will time out in safety long before it wears out.
Look it up on any tire web site!

 

[Synchro909]

I agree with Bob. Universals are about the best buy tire for the money.

Unless you plan on putting beau coup miles on a set of radials I just don't see how they are actually practical BECAUSE you have to remember that the shelf life of a tire is 7 years tops. After that you should replace them they are marginally safe any older than that and they become dangerous by eight to ten years...
That radial will time out in safety long before it wears out.
Look it up on any tire web site!

10 Years is the accepted age limit here but I have had tyres nearly double that and doing fine. I have had years when I have done as little as 2,000 miles and others where I have done 12K in 4 months.
I find myself in a bit of a bind - 4 cars and all needing tyres and 2 different sizes involved. In addition, I like smaller diameter for towing (lower effective gearing) and larger ones for solo car touring. For towing, I have been using 16" light truck radials and for solo car, 5.25X21 is my favourite
The idea of switching wheels (and tyres) from car to car has occurred to me but WHAT A HASSLE.
I feel like a fish floundering about on the bottom of the boat.

 

[ronn]

WHY NOT KEEP AN EXTRA SET OR TWO ON HAND?


the swap takes about 20 minutes. not a big deal..........

 

[BlueSunoco]

Is it just me, or does it seem like Rayon tires we bought in the 70's seemed to last and last and last?? Those ugly Garfield-Bedford-Allstate zig zag tread pattern tires?

 

[ModelA29]

With the shipping/ import costs I'd be looking for something already in country that will work. BFG Australia has 225-55-19 available but they may be too wide. Electric cars use skinny tires and some come in 19"

 

[Mike1291]

Is it just me, or does it seem like Rayon tires we bought in the 70's seemed to last and last and last?? Those ugly Garfield-Bedford-Allstate zig zag tread pattern tires?

I think you mean Nylon (see image) and yes they're still rolling around.

Saw a set at an estate sale and someone bought them for $425. Mind you they're 50 years old by now!