VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 My new tires don't fit the side mounts

I just finished mounting my new firestone tires, after cleaning the blue protective film off the tires I discovered a spot on both tires where the white wall wasn't applied another spot that looks like after the white wall process there was a bad spot so they reapplied the white wall in that spot and bad scuffing on one tire and light scuffing on the other. On top of that the tire will NOT fit in the side mounts, not even close. I have spoke to Coker and sent them pictures. I do want to note that they are being very helpfull so I'm not flaming them.
Can any one tell me any tire ( white wall ) that will fit in the side mounts without deflating the tire to make it fit. The car 1931 sport roadster, the firestone tires are 475-500/19. Coker said firestone had changed the way they mfger the tire and now when inflated the tire it will be too wide for the side mounts. Thanks in advance once again clif

They do not make them now like they did then.

Your option is to find a NOS or NORS that is the original size.

Most tires are now made to fit the maximum number of applications.

The original '31 tire was 4.75" wide and the fender wells made for that size tire. The modern tires are over 5" which do not fit. The tires with the lower circumference will fit better as the sidewalls are not as high and the sidewalls don't bulge out as much. If you are using whitewalls just put the blemishes in the wells. The wells, dirt will discolor the tires over time anyway.

Besides Firestones were not used on Chevrolets back then as Henry and Harvey were camping buddies. Goodrich and Goodyear were the most prevalent brands factory installed.

You will find that the modern Firestones run larger that the originals.Have the same problem with the spare tire cover on my '34.The Goodrich seem to run more true to size and I would recommend them for any cars with side mounts/tire covers.
On comparing the deminsions in Cokers catalog the Goodrich has a 3.75 tread width and 5.50 crossection.The Firestone is 3.90 and 5.63.Would that make enough difference?

Some dudes are having kinda sorta the same problem with metal tire covers fitting on the tires as well.

:( :( :(

The Lester tires on my Special Sedan fit very tightly in the wells. The others I have including BFGs and Firestones will not fit if they are inflated. And they can't be removed without deflating them. If I go on tour, I'll have an extra spare available so if there's a flat, I shouldn't have to remove one of the spares from a fender well.

I just carry a tire pump on tours. I tested in advance to see how hard it was to pump one up and its not to bad. Besides there are always other people on the tours to help pump if you need it.

We haul a 12 volt battery-booster set around to power the CB (when used) and it has an air compressor built in and it is handy to reinflate the spare, or blow out someones stopped up fuel line, if it is ever needed.

When I reastored our coupe the second time i purchased Goodyear tires. They fit in the well. They are marked 4.75 X 19. I haven't measured them but they fit in the well and in my metal tire cover.

Coker has been extremly nice they took back the firestones ( and paid the shipping back.) I have been looking at the Good years and and Lesters from Universal tire (Coker doesn't have them ) and I think I am going to go with the Goodyears, they have a tread width of 4.00" and a cross section of 5.1". They are a little more expensive than the other tires but seem to be a good looking tire. Thanks for the help from everyone

Well are you going to buy a tire to drive and ride on or are you just basing the purchase on what will go in the spare wells? If so buy 4 good riding tires and a couple of skinny tires for spares, you could even use your old slightly worn tiers for spares, or are you not going to drive the car and only show it? If so buy 6 really good looking skinny tires, Eh?

Some may not have understood the importance of Mack's suggestion about "if showing" to buy six matching tires. That's a "judging" situation. ALL tires must match or points will be deducted for those "Not Matching."

Bill.

1931 Roadster, I think you will like the Goodyear tires. They will fit in your wells and they are the only 19" tire I could find that are marked 4.75 X 19 rather than 4.75 - 5.00 X 19. The tread design is the same as they were in 1931. Are you going to use black or white wall?

Back Roads do you know if Goodyear makes 4.50X21' tires? and who sells them? I am tired of buying Shoddy Asian made tires for my 28, they are at a good price but the quality stinks.
At the present time I have more faith in the 50 year old ALLSTATE SAFETY nylon tires that were on the car when I bought it, since the car has been stored inside out of the exposure to sun rays.

Mr. Mack, I don't know but I will call the store I purchased mine from and let you know. I should have an answer for you by Monday noon.

Thanks, I do appreciate that.

I have purchased the goodyear's And have gone with the wht. walls. They are on Back order until the first part of Sept. It looks like I will have to purchase 4 more later so they will all be matching for show. Thanks for the info.

Actually the spare tires did not necessarily match at least up to the mid-30s (maybe some of us can provide the research and documentation). The cars and trucks were supplied from the factory with the tires and wheels on the ground but only a wheel or rim for the spare. It was up to the dealer or new owner to find a tire. Once we get the Judging Committee to understand that they will not take points off from these cars. Same thing for the Delco batteries. They were not factory installed in the earlier years.

Thanks for that sad but true information, any 28 with a spare tire attached to the spare rim should have a deduction if the judging process is really what it says it is.. I say loosen up on the expendiables, like tires, batterys, air in the tires, gasoline in the tank that is un-leaded,oil filters ETC, and the other accessories like bumpers, sun visors, fender skirts, heaters, when the car didn't come from the factory with them but stuff any Chevrolet dealer might add to the new car before delivery.
How functional do you suppose any 1928 Exite, Willard or Delco battery that was built in 1927 or the first 6 months of 1928 could be? Or even in 1957, 1970, 1981? Let's get real!

Mr.Mack, I checked with the Early **** Store where I bought my 4.75X19 Goodyear tires. They do not carry a 4.50X21 Goodyear tire. Early must only go back to 1930. The '28 & '29 As use the 4.50X21 tire. Sorry I couldn't help.

Back Roads I assume you are saying the "EARLY F0RD" store? I had a 1930 Model A coupe that had a couple of 21 wheels and 4 19 inch wheels, never knew which ones were original, I replaced them with F0RD 16" wire wheels, it was so Cool!
Thanks for the effort, anyway!

Mr. Mack, Have you tried Lester Tires. I used them from 1961 until 2003. Had them on three vehicles. The only reason I changed to Goodyear on our '31 was the 4.75X19 size marking. I wanted to be as correct as possible and didn't want 4.75-5.00 X19 markings on the tires. I know the judges don't look or care but in this case I cared. I've only had the car judged in VCCA one time since the second restoration. I don't think it is worth all the effort to receive a Preservation. I'll go touring.

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Roads I would like to find some 21 inch tires that will fit on my rims that are decent quality without having to mortgage the farm to pay for them. Black walls or what ever.