Re: Put tubes in them tires?

Posted by 55PackardGuy On 2014/7/28 15:23:13

More on the tire saga:

I took the car out for a Sunday spin yesterday and wound up on some horribly potholed and grooved, damaged pavement (if you could even call it that). Bounced around like crazy, even at low speeds, but never felt out of control (well, maybe a little).

I had luckily just checked the manual for tire pressure on the '54, and decided for once in my life to put in something close to the recommended pressure (I usually run right up to the max pressure on the tire, theorizing that the auto manufacturer's recommendations are usually specified to improve ride, not handling or gas mileage.)

The car got through it with no noticeable damage or extra clunks or rattles, but the AMAZING thing was that the tires, which had been given a death sentence by my mechanic, went through it with aplomb.

The mechanic had said, as I mentioned, that the back sides of the tires were badly cracked. I envisioned deep fissures. Running my fingers over them, I could feel no cracks or bulges.

The mechanic gave me the news on the tires after he had removed the wheels from the car to do brakes. (As I think I also mentioned, he had given them a clean bill of health just two years and about 400 miles ago.)

Included on my work order for this last visit was re-mounting the tires and clean up the rims.

MY THEORY IS that the change in the mechanic's diagnosis of the tires was because he did not want the liability of being the last one to work with them prior to a blowout and subsequent damage to me or the car.

Am I right in thinking that these tires, which are very good examples of '70's or early '80's' 4-ply polyester bias ply tires, still have a lot of miles in them? Like 4000 or so? They have almost-new tread, and the sidewalls are, to me, quite acceptable. They are Cooper "Untouchables" by name.

I want to keep them, but will also listen to carefully to contrary (or supportive) arguments/suggestions.