VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions New Tube Valve Stem Too Big

Hello. I ordered new tubes from Kelsey Tire for my 1930 Chevy Sedan with split rims. The new tubes have a rubber valve stem that is a conical shape and only inserts halfway through the hole in the rim before wedging tight. The hole of the rim is 0.50" (1/2") and the base of the new valve stem is 0.625" (5/8"). Kelsey tire said they never heard of this issue and suggested to either make the hole in the rim bigger, trim down the rubber on the stem, or return the tubes and find ones with a different valve stem.

Any suggestions?

Finding correct tubes may be difficult but I think that is the best solution.

Tire repair shops used to replace valve stems in tubes with new ones. I wonder if you could find a shop that could put in a slimmer stem, maybe even a metal one. Actually, making the hole 1/8" of an inch in diameter bigger would probably not hurt anything even with an original sized stem. That would only be 1/16" gap all around the edge of an original 1/2" stem.

Steve and Ed, thank you for the suggestions.

I agree with Ed. If you do hone out the hole be sure to put some paint on the newly exposed metal surface or it will surely soon rust.

Dick

Dick, that's a good point about the paint.

Out of curiosity. Do either of you know if the original hole in the 1930 split rim was 1/2" dia.?

Are all the rims the same and do you have any of the old tubes? I am sure if the holes are 1/2" that at one time there were tubes that fit. I am not familiar with what the 30 had originally but if the holes are 1/2" I am guessing that the stems were metal. If you are trying to achieve an "as original" restoration then determining originality would be the first step. Enlarging the holes should be an easy and quick solution and I am guessing less expensive than metal stem tubes.

The tire tubes in 1930 originally had metal stems. Metal stem tubes are available as are metal stems that can replace the rubber tubes. The metal stem hardware can be purchased from Model A suppliers as they use the same as Chevrolet. I have bought them from Snyder's Antique Auto Parts in Ohio.

The tubes that were in the tires prior to me trying to replace them had rubber coated stems with a 1/2" base and weren't the original tubes. Someone had replaced them at some point about 25 years ago.

Chipper, I'll check with Snyder's for replacements.

Thanks for your help Gentlemen.

Snyder's Antique Auto Parts
good place to get some of the parts you cant get from the Chevrolet Suppliers even though they are a Ford Supplier I have gotten several universal items for my 1929 & 30 Chevrolet from them !! great people to deal with, and if any questions call them, they are knowledgeable and quick to help

Here is a link directly to the valve stems & caps

CLAMP-IN STYLE VALVE STEMS

ORIGINAL VALVE STEM CAP

perfect, thanks!