Hot Rods Firestone 450/475 - 16

Any problems running the Firestone Bias Ply 450/475 - 16 on the 1935 Ford wire wheel? If not I'm currently running a 600 - 16 with practically new tubes. Will these existing tubes work with these new tires? Coker expert couldn't tell me? Going on front 34 fendered car. Thanks fellas

 

Tubes usually have the size range printed on them.

 

Put 5 Or 10 lbs. in them and then hold them next to tire. See how compatible they look?

 

My experience is it’s too small and can’t handle the weight of the car. I would go to the next size up 500/525 16”. It has a higher load rating.

 

Thanks guys but I guess need to find out if these tires will work on 35 ford wheels first?

 

Thanks for the info!

 

I have two n.o.s. Michelin 5.00 x 16 tires on Ford wire wheel and the fitment looks great. Can,t remember the tubes though.

 

450/475 on my front end for 8 years , dropped axle with a sbc ,and stock 40 ford rim with no problems on my 36 ford 5 window.

 

Yes they will fit the 35 wires. It’s been done a million times.

 

4” wide rim is probably close to the perfect fit for the 4.50/4.75 tyre !
I don’t know about the load and speed ratings, or how good your 88 year old wire wheels are.

 

The load rating for the 450/475-16 is only 660 lbs., and a slightly higher 750 lbs. for the 500/525-16. Best to know what your car weighs before you purchase tires.

 

thanks for this info, so I googled it and got the same results, yet when you go to 6.00 x 16 - the load rating is up to 1400 lbs.

 

According to my catalog the 500/525 - 16 are rated at 1070 lbs and the 450's at 660 as you stated. I've been reluctant to use the 450's due to their low weight limit and my higher engine weight but my son runs them in his blown flathead powered 32 roadster and he's happy with them.

 

The 750 lb rating was taken from their web site, but my 2012 Coker catalog does state 1070 lbs, so maybe a typo, or a lower rating for that tire now?
I chose the 500/525s instead of the 450/475s in '06 for the front of my flathead powered '32 steel highboy roadster because of the 1240 lb front axle weight, without driver and passenger.

 

Not to highjack this thread, but does anyone know why the 450/475’s are about 1/4” taller than the 500/525’s?

 

To answer your question about tube figment, it depends if the tube in the 600-16 has stretched to the point where it might crease as it is inflated in the smaller tire.
Inflate the bare tube only enough to fill it out, and place it on top of the smaller tire and visually compare. If it’s only slightly larger, you can reduce its chance of creasing.
First inflate the tube in the smaller tire, mounted on the wheel. Deflate the tube entirely, then reinflate to operating psi. This will let the tube normalize in the tire.
It’s good practice to this even with a new tube.

 

according to Coker charts, it is 0.3 inch smaller………..