53 coupe tires

[03vorteczr2]

Hello everyone,

I want to put some new tires on my 53 coupe. I was looking at the diamondback radials in a 235/75/15 size. Im going with them for the fact that I can get a 3 3/4 White Wall on a radial. Do any of you guys with the 50-53 body style cars have radials? If so what size are you guys running with what size of white wall? Is there any rubbing on the fenders? Right now the car is stock height but I have future plans to lower the car a few inches and dont want any rubbing then either if I go with that size. I read a couple of posts about a 235/75/15 rubbing the front fender on a 56 at full lock but not sure about the 53. Pictures would be great too!! Sorry for the long post.

Thanks,
Chris

[Philippe M. Ruel]

The tires on my '52 are 235/75/15 radials with white strips (no white walls).
The springs are stock originals, but have sinked (is it the right word ?) with years - see picture.
Passenger side tire rubs on fender on full right turns. It rubs less after replacing steering linkage, ball joints and idler/pitman arms, and adjusting everything properly last winter, but it still rubs.

[Ross Morgan #22943]

Chris, after last year's Grand National in Cherry Hill, a few of us noticed that some tyres that were being used were Goodyear radials EXCEPT this particular class had a lip/edge running around the outer edge of the white wall.  Result is that it looks possibly the closest thing to a bias ply.  For me, this is a blessing because I've finally got what I wanted (after much searching) and is an ideal compromise.  The white wall is 3 1/4" wide.  These tyres have been fitted to is a 1953 convertible and will be driven in about 3 weeks time (and looking forward to seeing how they perform).  I would not think there would be any rubbing issues but I'll let you know!

This tyre can be found at www.kelseytire.com/pages/radialtires.html

Ross Morgan.

[Art Woody]

I have Diamondback radials on my '53 coupe size 225/75/15. This is the close to correct crossover size for the coupes. Fleetwoods ,etc. would carry the 235's. These radials replaced my bias ply Cokers, which looked fantastic and probably more correct, but were not drivable. I drive my car at least every decent weekend, and you can't appreciate the difference until you make the switch to radials in combination with gas shocks. (Monroe Sensatracs) The handling and ride are amazing. It's like I took off a thousand pounds. The good thing about a '53 is the modern front and rear gas shocks are available over the counter at any well stocked parts store, or at least next day. I stress Monroe Sensatracs. As far as the tires I would have liked a bit wider white, as I had ordered, but was shipped incorrectly and mounted & installed before I realized it. Diamond back offered to make the switch, but I did not wish to put the wear and tear on my freshly painted wheels. Also I had to have the tires trued and balanced on the car to get the peak performance. Again well worth the effort.

[Jim Salmi #21340]

This post is very timely, because I also am in the market for new shoes for my '52.  I have also heard good things about the Diamondbacks, and not such good things about a certain other maker of vintage tires.

BUT, I have been told by my mechanic that I should put radial tubes in the tires before mounting, because these older rims were not designed with tubeless radial tires in mind.  He says they sometimes leak.  What do the rest of you think?

Thanks,

Jim Salmi
CLC #21340

[Art Woody]

I don't see what it would hurt to run tubes, but at the same time you might as well do a full cosmetic resto on your wheels. Make sure you have no warpage or rim damage and with a nice smooth paint job or powder coat, they should seal just fine. My D-Backs are going on five years, with no leakage, thankfully, since I am not running valve stems protruding out of my hubcaps. This requires me to remove the hubcaps yearly to adjust for pressure loss in colder weather. However there has been some discussion as to the strength of the wheel design and effects of age of the wheel and wether or not a radial tire applies more stress than a bias ply type. The roads these days are certainly more forgiving than roads of the era, and even driven on my every opportunity for pure enjoyment, does not seem to rack up many miles yearly.  My rare ventures on to the interstate, I  am comfortable running as fast as the traffic wants to flow or better. ( No tubes here).

[Otto Skorzeny]

Tubes really can't hurt but I don't have any on my '56  (with radials) and they don't leak. The original bias plys were also tubeless so I don't know what the problem would be.

I don't know when Cadillac first started using tubeless bias ply tires but if the guy putting them on is guaranteeing his work, I'd let him do what he deems best.

[Philippe M. Ruel]

I don't know when Cadillac first started using tubeless bias ply tires

From the Data Books, tubeless tires became standard in 1955. I don't know if they were offered before as an option.

I have equipped my radial tires with tubes as well.

[35-709]

Read this from Diamondback's catalog about radials on older rims ----
http://www.widewhitewalltires.com/2009_wide_white_wall_catalog/hi/33.htm
this also about tubes part way down the page ----
http://www.widewhitewalltires.com/2009_wide_white_wall_catalog/hi/34.htm

For a 760-15 original size tire a 225-75R15 is recommended, for an 800-15 a 235-75R15 is the recommendation

My '41 60 Special had radials on the original rims and was driven trouble-free all over the U.S. and is still on the road.

[Forgotmypassword #594]

I've had Diamondback tubeless radials on my '40 60S 16" wheels for nine years and they hold pressure better than my late model cars. Have driven many miles at interstate speeds with no problems.

[P W Allen CLC# 20193]

I went with the Kelsey Radials on my 53 coupe about three years ago. I can't say enough about them. A huge improvment over the bias plys. Much nicer ride and no more tracking all over the place. I went tubless with mine on the original wheels. No leakage problems whatsoever. They look great too.

Paul

[03vorteczr2]

Thanks everyone for the input! This helps a lot!! Ill have to look into the kelsey radials too they look really good!
Philippe, how much do they rub? Just barely touching or really grabbing the fender?
Ross, Yes please let me know how they work out for you if you can.
Art, Those 225's look really good on the car. How wide of white wall did they send you?
P W Allen, Are you running 235's like ross? If so do they rub at all?

Thanks again,

Chris

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

WHY run tubes??? It's just another source for heat. Years ago when I was first useing wire wheels, I sealed the spokes with silicone & ran them tubeless as well.  That's how my 53 is now.  Bob

[Philippe M. Ruel]

Philippe, how much do they rub? Just barely touching or really grabbing the fender?

Well, it happens on full turns, but I stop turning when I hear noise, so I don't know if they would touch more if I turned more... I'll check that next sunday.

Moreover, rear wheels are difficult to change with 235 tires and a lowered car (and YES, I did use the original high-lift jack, and the fender skirt was removed ) especially putting them back in place - you know, when you are on the roadside, carrying that 16-ton wheel at arm's length and blind-looking for studs location - because room between brake drum and fender sheet must be a little less than these 235 mm so you have to push wheel hard inside wheel well. I even once used a small jack between suspension springs and frame to help them move away from each other .

[Art Woody]

In answer to Chris's question , mine are 2.75''. I ordered 3.25'', same width as the new Coker bias ply tires I took off. They were only disappointing for a short while, because of the difference. If I had a show car, I would have kept the bias tires on an extra set of wheels for show. I like the looks of the 3.75'' whites, but that is getting close to the pavement on 225's. By the way, the D-Backs are still as white as the day I bought them. Mine is not a show car, but sometimes a show stopper.The main thing is make sure your wheels are in good condition, and sealing won't be a problem. One problem  if you are searching junkyards and swapmeets for wheels, a car sitting for periods of years on flat tires will retain a large amount of water
and tend to deteriorate the metal around the valve stem hole ON THE INSIDE. So no matter how good it looks on the outside be sure to inspect the inside for severe pitting or rust in this area, it can get dangerously thin. You can weld a patch here and drill valve stem hole elsewhere if need be.

[03vorteczr2]

Thanks guys for the response! Ill try to post a pic on here once I get some tires and have them installed. Just have to figure out which ones to get!!

Thanks,
Chris

[P W Allen CLC# 20193]

Thanks everyone for the input! This helps a lot!! Ill have to look into the kelsey radials too they look really good!
Philippe, how much do they rub? Just barely touching or really grabbing the fender?
Ross, Yes please let me know how they work out for you if you can.
Art, Those 225's look really good on the car. How wide of white wall did they send you?
P W Allen, Are you running 235's like ross? If so do they rub at all?

Thanks again,

Chris

Sorry Chris, I didn't notice your question before. Yes I am running the 235's, no rubbing at all. One little thing though, I bought 5 tires so I could have a matching spare. The radials are just a little wider than the old bias plys. The spare 235 radial will not fit into the spare tire well with the tire inflated!! My solution was to buy a small compressor to carry in the trunk and to deflate the tire. Works!

Paul

[03vorteczr2]

Finally getting around to posting a picture on the tires I purchased.

[Otto Skorzeny]

So what tires and size did you finally get?

[03vorteczr2]

Oops I left out the important stuff. I got diamondback radials in a 235/75/15 size with 3.75 whitewall.