VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Tires

My '37 has a very pronounced "Yudder" which I traced to the tires. They have low spots and two of them are not even round. A friend has 4 new 650-16 tires that I can buy for $250.00 mounted.

Kendall,

Sounds like a good deal to me if they are in good shape. Although new could mean old and rotten. So check 'em out.

One size oversize is hardly going to be noticeable. Well, it may present a problem for storage in the spare's place in the trunk, but what the heck.

Charlie

Would depend on the make of the tires as well as the age. I am not wild about using 6.50 tires as they look too fat (depending on the band). The 1937 was a light car and the 6.00 was sufficent.

I also think that the 6.50 tires would look too fat.

I've spent most of my years running tires at least one size larger than stock - many times 2 sizes on the rear. I like a lot of rubber on the road. Just my preference.

To each his own - - -

I think the main thread here is whether the tires are a good deal or not. If they are in good shape, I sure wouldn't hesitate to buy them and run them on a 37 or anything else that originally called for a 600-16.

It has been my experience, that when you see a 650-16 on a car that calls for a 600-16, it may or may not raise a question as to whether they are oversize or not. That then causes me then, if I really want to know, to get close enough to check out the size number. Generally, it is too close a call from a distance.

As to being "fat" and looking out of place, by today's standards they would still look skinny. At least to me.

Again, from a distance great enough to obscure the tire's numbers, it would take a trained and/or overly critical eye (and good eyesight, to boot) to pick up the difference. All else being considered, the price would seem the ruling factor and not whether they may look a tad fatter (who cares. We're talking about real money here) than the original ones. I digress.

Back to the thread and the question: I would buy them and run them and not worry about their "fat" appearance. We're not buying stripped clothing here Puzzled? Ask your wife.

Charlie

BTW: Kendall. If you become too convinced that the tires are too fat and decide against them then send me the seller's number by PM. I'm interested. They ain't too fat for me and a 41.

As a one size oversize, fellow pilot in Vietnam used to tell me just after he'd let one go, "I'd rather hear a fat boy fart than a pretty girl sing, any day."

BTW2: It seems that I am out of step with Gene a lot lately. See thermostat thread. It is fun to be so now and then. His superior knowledge on anything Chevrolet is well known. There is little that he writes that I can find a little area to disagree on. I respect him and in almost all cases, I am just being argumentative for the sake having a little fun. And, mainly on things that are merely a matter of opinion. Nothing more. Don't read anything else into it. Please.

While we're discussing "fat" tires I should note for those looking for tires and thinking of buying from Diamondback Tires, their "perfect" radial replacement for the 600x16 is way too wide. The diameter is right but the section width is much wider than a 600x16. They say on their web site that they're coming out with an "Auburn" radial "600x16" but when I call for details they don't know anything about the dimensions or when they'll be in stock. They claim to be experts on all thing tire but I'm having my doubts.

As for the 650s being too big to fit in the spare tire well, I have a 700 in my '40 well. It's a tight fit, and I had to put a slightly longer bolt on the hold down, but it's there; on the only 16" wheel I have right now.

It all depends if you want your car to look as itcame from the factory or not.
Today most radial tires are 70% aspect ratio or less. To get a proper looking radila tire you wil need at least aaaa 85% ratio (width Vs. height)
I have never ad a driving problem with my narrow skinnny tires. I do admit the tires look rally skinny when driveing behind a car with 6.00 width tires.

That price is probably less than half the cost of new correct tires if they are even available. My advice is buy them if they are new A-OK as you indicate and run them unless your car is a trailer queen only for show car. Even then most won't even notice except Gene who is in Wisconsin and JYD who is in Oregon. Unless you plan on visiting either of those states the chances of either following you down the road are pretty slim.

Unless it is a show car I would buy them. Back when I drove my '37everyday as a work car I had 650/16 mud and snow tires on the back and thought nothing of it.

Mounted and they do make a difference.

Now I have to deal with the fire in the wiring!

Kendall,

You have left us hanging. They make a difference in the "yudder", ride or appearance, or all three?

Is the difference in size very noticable to you?

I hope they give you long and good life.

I'm worried for you though that the "yudder" soon may manifest itself in these tires as well. There may be something going on with the suspension that merely changing out the tires -albeit with new balancing - may not have been addressed.

How are the shocks, springs, tie rod ends and other steering parts?

A picture of the car with the new tires on it would be nice.

Charlie