Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

When I purchased my 1939 Six, it had bias-ply tires. They are very old and in having the various mechanics and car guys look at them in the year or so that I have had the car, numerous comments have been made of cracks in the sidewalls. I concur that they are not a good thing, even though the tires have tubes, and wanted to replace them with radial replicas, ala the Coker Tire series. I have had constant mechanical problems with this car and, as such, it has not yet seen the highway, but hoping to have that behind me this spring, I bought a set of used Michelin radials off a car-buff friend. They are 'tubed' tires and the same size (6.50 X 16/ 6.50R 16) as came with the vehicle, and I am told there could be problems switching to radials on this car. Can anybody give me some guidance?? I have never liked the way bias-ply tires 'lead' and pull and thought radials would be better; from the information I received, sounds like that may not be the case. Anybody have any experience on this?? Thanks for any & all.

Your rims will accept tubeless tires, either radial or bias ply. No tubes required as long as the rims are in good condition.

Thanks Owen - what a load that is off my mind! I thought I'd bought the radial tires and wasn't going to be able to use them!! Is there any issue actually using the tubes with radial tires, as long as they are all balanced properly?? Kind of a 'belt and suspenders' approach??

Suposedly tubes are not to be used with radials because the radiial will "rub" the tube thin. I've never tried running tubes with radials.

If u don't need the tube then why run the tube???

I have some recently aquired tubes that are fairly modern tubes printed directly on tube "do Not Use in Radials".

The tubes i have are modern motorcycle application.

Attach file:

---

  (168.67 KB)

Thanks for the replies and advice. Re the comment 'if you don't need the tubes, why run the tubes?' that is a good point. I was just thinking that the bias-ply tires on there now, have tubes and was reasoning that they might add a 'second line of defense' against leakage with the very old rims. I'll get the tire guy to go over them with a wire wheel, etc., and check them carefully for leaks, sans the tubes.
Thanks again for the help.

Radial tiers are usually tubeless, but some are tube type. If you use a tube in a radial tire it must be for a radial type tire. I have tube type radial tires (Coker Excelsior) on my hot rod, and tubeless radials (Diamondback Hankook) on my 1937 Packard Six. A good tire shop should be able to advise you on whether your tires are tube or tubeless type radials.

JWL

I run tubeless radials on my wire wheels. It took some effort to seal up the wheels but obviously worth it.

What did you need to do to your wheels Randy to get them air tight??
John