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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / TIRE QUESTION AGAIN

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Discussion Topic: TIRE QUESTION AGAIN

rogbell

03-26-2011 @ 8:35 AM

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I'm still debating about bias ply vs. radial tires for my '41 coupe sedan. First of all, I can't find anyone who supplies wide white radials in the proper size, and I'm not even sure what size that is. Secondly, members in my local early Ford V-8 club have divided opinions as to which type tire is best for handling and ride. I guess the real question is, are todays bias ply significantly better than those from years past? And, does it make sense to spend the extra money for a car that will see limited use, no more than a trip of a few hundred miles once a year. Thanks in advance for the input.

supereal

03-26-2011 @ 10:12 AM

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The old bias ply tires on my '47 convertible flat-spotted so badly that it seemed that the car had square wheels for the first few miles after sitting for a week or two. Due to obvious "checking" of the rubber on the sidewalls, it was tire to "re-tire", anyway. Comparing cost, and the fact that I usually only drive limited miles each season here in Iowa, I settled on Coker Classic bias plys. To my surprise, they don't flat spot at all, and have the appearance of the original tires, albeit with nice 3" wide whitewalls.

ford38v8

03-26-2011 @ 7:08 PM

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Rog, Rayon bias ply tires were very bad for flat spotting until they warmed up. Nylon doesn't do that.

Your steering and suspension components should be in top shape in order to run radials, or the consequences are even more rapid wear in those parts, and a resulting poor ride. I do understand that radials may get better gas mileage, but doubt you'd see the difference on the positive side of the ledger.

You must run tubes even with radials on the old rims, and use lots of talcum powder to prevent abrasion. Check balance of the rims without the tire, and mark the heavy spot so you can spin the tire's heavy spot to the opposite side. The steel balance weights mandated today are so large and ugly, you want to keep them as small as you can!

Alan

deluxe40

03-26-2011 @ 7:41 PM

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Get what you think looks best. With the frequency that our cars are driven and the speeds that we should be driving considering the brakes and suspension, the performance differences are negligible. For me that is Firestone 600x16 bias ply with the 3 1/4" whitewall (from Coker). They seem to last ten years before the cracks start to appear in the whitewalls and I get nervous. Last summer Coker was out of the Firestones and I bought the BF Goodrich Silvertowns for a '46. I was disappointed because they are much more difficult to clean and they go brown much quicker than the Firestones. Not sure why, but I still have the old Firestones on the '40 and they are smoother and much easier to keep clean.

rdt52flthd

03-28-2011 @ 2:58 PM

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I put american classic radials from summit racing on my 52 & am very pleased. No more wandering on asphalt secondary roads, smoother ride, no rattles, steering no worse when stationary but much better at normal speeds. I have no inner tubes. Balance seems fine up to 70 MPH, but it took quite a bit of weight, maybee the wheels themselves. My wheels are the original size but not the original wheels.

1934 Ford

03-28-2011 @ 4:36 PM

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You limited the answer to you own question when you said, "does it make sense to spend the extra money for a car that will see limited use, no more than a trip of a few hundred miles once a year."
Buy bias ply. Without a long history, the bias ply will last longer (time) than the radial. If the 41 only goes 200 miles a year, why worry about ride.
If you change you mind and want to drive it alot, get radials for the better ride.
Radials = good ride. Buy Diamond back Classic's.
Bias Ply = long lasting, but not high mileage.
Radials will need to be replaced regardlees of miles after about 6-7 years. (cords seperate)
Bias ply will wear out in 12-15,000 miles, but look good for 15-20 years.
You decide.

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