Posted By |
Discussion Topic:
redials tires on the '49
-- page:
1
2
|
|
oldfordman |
11-23-2017 @ 6:06 PM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 73
Joined: Oct 2017
|
Will the equivalent size radial tire be really harder to steer at slow [parking] speed than the bias ply? Is this a really dumb question? Sorry, this has probably been discussed before... Thanks, Don [oldfordman] ps; if I go radial, should I go up a size?
|
TomO |
11-24-2017 @ 7:12 AM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 7243
Joined: Oct 2009
|
Don, it is not a dumb question. You need the information in order to make the choice of tires that suits you best. I doubt that there will be much of a difference in slow speed steering effort between the bias ply and radial tires on your 49 Mercury. Alignment will have much more effect. Have your alignment checked when you install new tires or see uneven wear pattern. I am not a fan of radial tires on old cars. My main objection comes down to cost and durability. Radial tires cost more new. Radial tires can fail suddenly as they age, the tires should be replaced at 7 years. Most antique cars are driven less than 3,000 miles a year, so you would get 8-10 years out of a set of bias ply tires. If you drive less you may get 12 years, but no longer as the tire rubber would be too hard for good traction. Get the size closest to the original size. If you go "up" a size, you will make your speedometer more inaccurate. Tom
This message was edited by TomO on 11-24-17 @ 7:13 AM
|
trjford8 |
11-24-2017 @ 5:06 PM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 4202
Joined: Oct 2009
|
I found that radial tires made a big difference at slow speed in my '54 Mercury. The '54 Mercury was the first year for ball joint suspension, so that could have had an effect on it also.
|
oldfordman |
11-24-2017 @ 7:08 PM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 73
Joined: Oct 2017
|
Thanks gentleman for your replies. I was afraid the steering might be a little harder with more rubber on the street, but I like the ride and handling at speed. I just got the car and the tires are suspect, good tread, but unknown age. probably old! The radials with bias look are more expensive, so will probably go with the appropriate size radial. [215/75R/15] Any other thought/comments appreciated. Don
|
TomO |
11-25-2017 @ 9:10 AM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 7243
Joined: Oct 2009
|
Tom, was the difference harder steering or easier steering at low speeds?
Tom
|
trjford8 |
11-25-2017 @ 10:50 AM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 4202
Joined: Oct 2009
|
Tom, I noticed easier steering at low speed. I used the Coker wide whites that are made in the USA. When I got the car it had some 14"mags with radials. It steered real hard at low speeds. I went back to stock 15" wheels and the correct size tires on the car. It was a world of difference with the new tires and rims.
|
carcrazy |
11-25-2017 @ 2:16 PM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 1584
Joined: Oct 2009
|
My recommendation would be to go with 205/75 R 15 Radials to make changing a rear flat tire on the road easier.
|
oldfordman |
11-25-2017 @ 2:41 PM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 73
Joined: Oct 2017
|
Thanks everyone for your great input and ideas. Lots to decipher, pretty big investment for me. Maybe ol Santa will be really good to me! Naw.... May wait til spring anyway. Don
|
TomO |
11-26-2017 @ 7:41 AM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 7243
Joined: Oct 2009
|
Tom, that could have been just because the tires were new. Last time I changed tires on my 40 Merc, I noticed quite an improvement in low speed steering also. I had bias ply tires and the new tires were also bias ply Firestones. There was quite a bit of tread left on the old tires, but the tires had poor traction on wet roads, so I bought new ones.
Tom
|
shogun1940 |
12-01-2017 @ 3:40 PM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 464
Joined: Feb 2010
|
Do not mix them , all four radials , if you only buy two they have to go on the rear
|