VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 33 x 4 1/2 tires

the tires have shrunk so much I can't get the split rims to fit end to end using a rim spreader and hydraulic jack.. Will new tires cause the same problem? Is Coker the only manufacturer for 33 x 4 1/2 tires?
Need help
thutch

you can try lucas tire. I bought a couple of sets of tires and tubes from them

http://lucasclassictires.com/33x4-1-2_c111.htm

I think I may see your problem, the 33x4-1/2 caught my eye as being an odd size for a Chevrolet.

I assume you are familiar with how tire sizes in this time frame work - if you double the second number and subtract it from the larger number, the result is the rim size. In other words, a 32x4 fits a 24 inch rim - 32 minus 4 x 2. A 34x5 fits a 24 inch rim, and so does a 35x5-1/2, and so on.

So here's the problem I suspect - your 33x4-1/2 you're talking about would fit on a 24 inch rim. But as far as I know, Chevrolets in this period always wore 33x4, which fits a 25 inch rim, an inch bigger. So if your car still has the 25 inch rims, your trying to put on a tire that doesn't fit! It would be an inch too tight. Cause tires don't shrink.

Suggest you check your rim size, and make sure you're using the correct sized tire.

Good information I did not know. the 33 x 4 1/2 tires were put on the FB50 in 1946 by my father. I will check the rim size and purchase the correct size tires for the car.
Thank you so much.

Glad to help shed some light. I am pretty sure that is what's going on with your tire problem. I could not find information specifically for a 1919 FB - but I know my 1914 is a 25" rim, as it is for 1916 - and I know the 1921 FB still had 25" rims - so it's a pretty darn safe bet that the 1919 is the same, too. Also the 1921 specs call for 33x4 tires per the Old Car Manual Online project.

Sounds like you got your money's worth out of them if they've been on there since 1946 - you have to wonder how in the world your Dad got them on!!

Back in the day, some makers made a big thing about "oversize" tires. I some cases they will fit the next size down rim, albeit tight. My 1909 Buick F has a 22" rim. 22" clincher tires are unavailable except as 2.5" wide. 30 X 3.5 Oversize went right on....in fact, "that" dealer suggests the oversize to fit the 22" rims, but can't advertise the fact.....

Yeah, but see that's going in the other direction. 30 X 3-1/2s are made for a 23" rim, so would therefore be "loose" on your 22" rims. But in thutch's case here, the tires are a size SMALLER (tighter) than the rims.

Opps, You're right......I do agree that tires don't shrink. Manufacturing specs or practices might have varied though....

bigger problem with tires. I checked the tier size and rim size today. 25in rims tier size 34 x 4 1/2 these should fit a 25in rim. I cannot stretch the rims enough to close the rim gap. what do I do now?

I have had some luck by putting the tires that were old and difficult to change in the sun and heating them that way. Seemed to soften them enough. Lots of tire lube.

Dave

Dave,
how much luck is some luck. will it work half of the time

Very hard to quantify. It took me hours to remove old tires from a 24 but seemed to really help with the sun. I recently changed the tires on a 31 Buick and Mr. Sun was a big help but I am still very sore.

Dave

FYI, there is a great technical article about changing the split rim tires in the VCCA Member Resource Center. It is listed under 'Tires'.

Cheers, Dean

Dave ..sorry about the hours spent on removal of tires..I used a hand held rotary saw... 4-20 year old tires 20 minutes..Keep smiling Bill

That thought did cross my mind. I was saving the tires off the Buick because they were correct for my Chevy. Of course I will never use them but I had to save them.