Anyone done this? I have a set of Firestone piecrusts on 40 Ford 16" steelies. I cannot run a spare(29 roadster)and had a flat this morning on the way to work. Pretty much screwed when that happens. Can`t plug it and go on so give me some imput. Thanks.
If it's not a tubeless tire I wouldn't. I don't know too much about all of Coker tires but I would think they would be tubeless. Should say on the tire. _
I don't run tubes on my cokers... they are tubeless... haven't had one problem with them. 750x14s www
I'd think it has more to do with the rim of choice than the Coker Bias tire. I'd have to believe that 40 rims were made before tubeless tires were available. I borrowed this from Wikipedia: BF Goodrich applied for a patent in 1946 and eventually received US patent 2587470 in 1952 in the United States. By 1955 tubeless tires became standard equipment on new cars.<sup id="cite_ref-0" cl***="reference">[1]</sup> BF Goodrich had to defend their patent in court several times, due to the similarities of previous designs. The primary difference between the BF Goodrich design and their predecessors was the usage of butyl rubber, which was more resistant to air leakage than the natural rubber used in the other designs. I remember having to put (bold type not my doing) tubes in the tubeless tires on a couple of early 50's cars because they leaked air when they were put together tubeless. Air usually leaks around the rivets that hold the center to the rim.
I don't remenber seeing any 16" bias ply tires from Coker that are tubeless, so your only choice is to break down the tire, remove and patch the tube. One reason I'll eventually replace the 16" "stones" on my '32 and switch to tubeless radials, probably from Diamond Back.
My 16 inch and 15 inch vintage ford steel rims suffered from pain in the *** slow leaks....put tubes in!!!! end of problems ride great...what are you gonna do they are pushing 80 years old, there gonna leak....
If the tire says "Tube Type" on the sidewall then you need to run a tube. If it said "Tubeless" on the sidewall only then is it safe to run without a tube. There IS a reason why you are told to run a tube and you can bet your bottom dollar it all has to do with SAFETY!
Yeah,called Coker and they will not recommend running tubeless on tube type Firestones. The tires are branded tube type. I run tubes in the piecrusts on my 30 but I have room for a spare(wide fives). I remember somewhere a guy running valvestems in early wheels with bias ply tires so I thought it was worth the time to ask here. I do have a buddy running tube type on new steelies with no problems to date but this is my wifes car so better to not take any chances with her at the wheel. Thanks for all the info. Bill
Another reason to run tubes in old wheels is that there's no safety ledge built into the wheel, if you get a flat, there's nothing to keep the tire on the wheel with no tube. I actually am guilty of this currently... running '46 merc 15's with bias plies and no tubes. Gotta slap some tubes in there asap.
That's the reason I chose to run tubes in my 54. Even though the firestones are tubeless type, I was concerned about getting a flat and losing the tire.
So are you guys saying that even thought the coker ribbed front runners say "tubeless" I should run tubes because of the wheels?
Put tubes in them like they call for.. And make room for a spare.. And a jack and lug wrench.. Then drive the piss out of it.....
Great idea Carl! All I gotta do is lose the gas tank & battery box and I`ll have room....wait. That won`t work. How `bout a Triple A membership? Found out what the problem was. The tubes sold to me were folded inside the new tires(tube size too big) and rubbed a hole in themselves within 20 miles. I switched them out for a smaller tube.Barring any punctures it`s ready to go.
Old wives tales. Us guys with Chevy bombs run tubeless on 60-70 year old rims with no problem whatsoever.
It has to do with rim design more than the tire.Tubeless rims are slightly dished on the inside to hold the tire if it gets low on pressure.The older rims such as a 40 rim is flat and not designed for tubeless.
Yiu need to know for sure what you have. Tubeless tires are bult to run tubeless, and they have a bead designed for tubeless. Even if you can even get a tubeless tire to seal without a tube, you shouldn't do it.
I've been running the 15 inch bias plies from Coker on 46 Merc wheels with no tubes for over 20 years with no problems. Same with the back ones and also the Firestone Dragster slicks. However, we run tubes in the 16 inchers on 40 Ford wheels on my Son's rpu. Don
Then why did the mfrs start incorporating a ledge into their wheel design once tubeless tires were introduced? I've been running them with no problems as well... but I haven't had a blowout on the freeway at 80 mph yet either.
i talked to coker on this last year . in a bias tire that say "tube type" they strongly recommend a tube !!!!
All Coker 16" bias plies are tube type. I too don't have a spare so I carry a large pressured can of tire repair. Hope I never hafta use it 'cause I'm not sure it'll get me home but it's better'n knowing I have nothing. Another option is a spare inner tube, in that the bead should be breakable by hand(stomping on it with yer foot) and finding air( pressure can of air) should be possible. DO NOT TRY TO RUN 'EM TUBELESS!
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