There would have also been a market for 'radial safe' wheels. If there were safety concerns at the time radials were introduced, I would thing there would be several documents available from that era from tire manufacturers, tire store chains and car manufacturers warning of the danger. Many, many cars were built at the end of the bias era and later had radials installed as used cars. Later this afternoon, Jerry Preisel from Coker responded (which he gave me permission to post here):Īlexander, I thought of that too. bias' article stated that it was a matter of preference.Īs you are the leading manufacturer of tires for old cars, both bias and radials, I'd be interested in your take on this. Nothing I found did so, in fact the 'radial vs. Investigator and that Coker Tire had some information on their web site to back up his claims. The letter writer to Old Cars Weekly said he was an accident That indicates more wheel flex is happening, or at least it could. Before I went to aluminum rims on mine, I threw a few wheel covers as well running radials. I have heard from many a Squarebird ('58-'60 Thunderbird) owner that having radials on meant tossing a wheel cover every now and then. Like say an industry publication from the 70's when radials were introduced regarding proper practices when using radials on older rims. As an engineer, and reviewing the construction differences, I can understand how a radial will load the wheel lip differently than a bias ply tire will, but is it dangerous? Is there anything definitive on the subject, If you want to run radials (and the benefit is clear), a set of 70's Ford 14" rims from the radial era is probably cheap insurance.Ī recent letter to Old Cars Weekly indicated that it can be dangerous to install radial tires on wheels designed only for bias ply tires. I've got modern aluminum, wheels on mine, so it's no worry for me. Alexander's point about rims in poor condition is a good one too. These cars may all be running closer to the load limit than the engineers of the day would be comfortable with. Is it dangerous? Well, lots of folks run radials on stock rims, bur anecdotal evidence of non-failure doesn't mean it's not risky. Many Squarebird owner has reported has reported loosing more wheel covers when radials were installed, indicating that more wheel flex is happening. bias would put different loads on the wheel lip. It does make sense to me that the different construction of radial vs. In fact, their FAQ section seemed to me to indicate it was a matter of preference. He made mention that Coker has something on their web site that supports his claim, but I couldn't find it. Not gonna' let them touch anything - just see how close I really am and tweak her a little if needed.I saw that same letter from an accident investigator in Old Cars Weekly. Plan to drive her "as-is" for a while, then take her to one of them thar new fanggled electronical alignment shops and let them measure her. She rides and handles FANTASTIC (for a Two Ton Pig on Ice)!! So, I just decided to set them equal at -1*. Can get +1* on the Left, but the -1* is the most "postive" I can get on the Right. The Right strut adjustment is the limiting factor. The best I have been able to get for CASTER is: Right= -1* Left= -1* Long story short I was able to keep tweaking at it until I got: They are like new and handy as a pocket on a shirt. Bought them for a steal from a local circle track racer that is giving it up. I was lucky enough to find a pair of Fastrax Caster/Camber Gauges with the Toein Measurement Adaptors on Craig's List. Well, I finally got the front end alignment done - well, almost.Īfter a frustrating search of the local area for someone that I felt would spend the time and effort to do the alignment like I wanted it, I decided to do it myself.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |