VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 Spare Tire Question

The spare tire that's in my 48 is an ancient 6:00 - 16 Tire mounted on an original rim. I'd be afraid to use it in case of a flat. Plus - my car now has 15 inch chrome rims on it with radials. The PO put them on. My question is - in case of a flat - would a can of Fixaflat suffice to get me moving again? Appreciate your advice.

Regards:
Oldengineer

Sure...Might want two can's if you don't have AAA...I never use the stuff...Makes it harder to patch the tire...They have to get all that crap off...If your running 12 volt why not use a "plug" and re-inflate the tire yourself...with the charger/inflator that should be in your trunk...Don't see why you couldn't run the ol tire down the road away's, seeing your hauling it around anyway...

I would suggest finding a better tire for a spare. There must be a good used 6.00X16 out there.

I also would buy a much newer and better tire. I found myself driving over 100 miles away from home and my right front tire on a low mileage Coker Tire developed a hugh buldge on the white sidewall. The tire was never curbed or abused, a cord or whatever just broke inside. A good spare is a life saver no matter where you are driving. Safety must be our number one priority. Why would I ever put my life in jeapordy by a cheap or possibly dangerous tire?

dtm

I'm in the same boat and I cross my fingers every time we drive the car and know its not a good idea. As mentioned, a good Coker Classic blackwall is a great option for a spare and they're only $136. Sometimes Summit and Jegs have them for $99 so keep an eye on that for a little price break. Sometimes you can also find used bias white walls on Craigslist too from period hot rodders who swap them out for different looks. For a spare, I wouldn't mind running a used (but newer) bias tire.

Kevin:

My 48 is 6 volt. I have a 12 V jumppack with an on-board air compressor that I carry, but, not sure it would have enough suds to inflate a flat fully. Think for the time being, I'll put a couple cans of fixaflat in the truck, and, keep my eye open for a tire and tube to replace the one on the rim in the truck. The spare is holding air, but, the tire looks like its really old - I'm guessing 1960's vintage. From some of the posts I've read on this forum, I think the P215/75R15's now on the car are about the same diameter as the old 6.00 - 16s. Another 15 inch rim and same size tire would be nice, but, the 15's are too wide to fit the spare tire well in the trunk.

Thanks for the feedback:
Oldengineer

6:00 is narrow.

The radial 205 is a replacement for the 6:70.

Use these numbers below as your guide. Looks like a 165 radial is for you.

http://www.vintagecarconnection.com/vintage_tire_size_conversion_chart.htm

It has been said on here that mixing bias ply tires with radials is a no, no.

it may get you back home though. Especially if you're not far away and drive slow.

Will the radial spare, when you get one, fit in the spare tire place provided for it? One won't fit under the board in my coupes trunk. But i can cram a 650 x 16 in there.

Has the life of tires become much shorter in these later years? If so, why?

As the others have suggested, I recommend you get a spare in good condition and the same type and size as the others.

Best,
Charlie

BTW: How in the world did you get the Post Office to mount those tires for you?

Old Engineer says his 4 tires on the car are radials.

Adding a spare radial would make all 5 radials BUT consideration has to be given to the physical size allowed for the spare.

His present 215 radials will not fit spare compartment, based on his comments.

The bias 6:00 translates to a 165 radial.

*************** I may be wrong on the bias to radial conversion. I was looking at 6:00 x 15, not 16. Sorry.

Would be less expensive to get a used 6.00X16 tire......even if it is 20 years old it would be newer than what he has and make a great temp. spare. There should be some member in his area up-grading their 16" tires.

I'm still running the old 6:00/16's that I bought on the car 20 years ago...With fingers crossed...lol It'd better start shopping...They look good still though...No cracks...Little wear...Oh, I did change a tube and bought a few extra's..

Bias ply tires seem to last 5-10 times longer (in years) than radials. I think it is the steel belts that eventually begin to rust due to water traveling through the rubber and producing a delamination. Once that weak spot flexes it grows then the tread comes off and repeatedly beats the fender until you can get it stopped or gets wrapped around the axle.

The old bias ply tire that's in my trunk is really nasty looking - sidewalls have cracks everywhere. Guess my best bet is to get a new or good used 600-16 and a tube and have it mounted on the stock rim. The wheels on the car are all chrome 15 inch jobs. I believe they're the nostalgia rims that Chevys of the 40's sells. The tires that are on the car now are so wide that if I turn the steering wheel to full lock they drag on the chassis up front and the car won't move.

Regards:
Oldengineer