Labor Day Putting down your wrenches or time for MORE wrenching? 
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| | | Forums66 Topics128,017 Posts1,055,257 Members48,417 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 181 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 181 | I'd like some input on tubes: what would be the best source/manufacturer for tubes for 7.00-20 bias tires? I would like them to be radial type and American made, but I'm probably dreaming. They need to have the long bent type valves. My quick online checking shows that there may still be (?) some US-made radial tubes in the 7.50-20 size, but I would assume that it would not be advised to use a larger tube. I've had bad luck with 'modern' bias tubes. I'd sooner put a good used bias tube made in 1950 in one of my tires than most of them made now. Your thoughts and advice appreciated!
1955 GMC 630, 1959 GMC W660, 1958 Chevy Spartan 80
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,398 Former Workshop Owner | | Former Workshop Owner Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,398 | Not sure if this is any help, but I just purchased tubes for my riding mower at justubes.com. I placed my order on Thursday night and received my tubes on Sunday via Fed Ex with free shipping.
John
~ J Lucas 2006 GMC Envoy 4.2 I6 2023 Ram 2500/Cumins 6.7 I6 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Wife’s) 2002 Silverado 2500 Gas 6.0 1941 Chevy 1/2-Ton 1942 Chevy 1.5-Ton SWBIn the Gallery My Flicker Photos! | | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 181 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 181 | Thanks John and Larry, I'll check those sites.
1955 GMC 630, 1959 GMC W660, 1958 Chevy Spartan 80
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 204 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 204 | Check tswarehouse on ebay. I just bought 4 tubes 8.25xR20. $27.00 and free shipping | | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 181 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 181 | I'll check them out also....thanks!
1955 GMC 630, 1959 GMC W660, 1958 Chevy Spartan 80
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 2,450 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2018 Posts: 2,450 | Jaycoop You'll be lucky if you can land American tubes the radial ones are just thicker I think. If you go to a bigger tube will wrinkle-up,I don't know where to get soapstone but that would help ! We used to pump-up new ones then let em go down and re-fill to help on wrinkles ! | | | | | Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 204 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 204 | The tubes I bought have a powder coating that helps prevent wrinkles and let's the tubes slide inside the tire during inflation | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,212 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,212 | The tubes I bought have a powder coating that helps prevent wrinkles and let's the tubes slide inside the tire during inflation If your tubes aren't coated in powder you can always use your own Baby Talcum Powder to coat the inside of the tire to help prevent wrinkles...that's the way the old tire shops did it. Mike B  | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | Talcum powder is what I use?
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires. '47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle. '54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed. '55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 1995 Posts: 5,711 Bond Villain | | Bond Villain Joined: Nov 1995 Posts: 5,711 | "They" always say to get new flaps with your new tubes. New tubes -- new flaps. Is this actually necessary?
~ John A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult. 1949 Chevrolet 3804In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum1973 IH 1310 Dump1963 Kaiser M38A12001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie"2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley) | | | | | Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 204 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 204 | My tire shop reused the old flaps except 1 that had a bad spot in it. Their not really a wear item just a liner. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 204 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2019 Posts: 204 | If you have rims that use a locking ring to secure the rim pieces together, i.e. split rims do not attempt to replace the tires yourself. That locking ring can pop off and easily maim or kill you!! Tire shops put the wheel in a cage when inflating to prevent injury. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,585 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,585 | I will mount my own tires on multi piece rims. Make sure all the parts are clean and fit good. Wrap the tire and rim thru to rim holes with a long log chain, then use a clamp on air chuck and a pressure regulator. Pump up to about 15 psi. Hit it some good licks with a sledge hammer. The tire not the rim. 30 psi next and beat it again. Repeat stepping it up 15 to 20 psi until you reach your desired psi. The sledge also helps get any wrinkles out of the tube. Talcum powder is also used.
If the old flaps look ok, I just reuse those.
Don 1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck"The Flag Pole"In the Stovebolt Gallery1946 2-Ton grain truck 1946 3/4-ton pickup, 1953 1-ton pickup 1957 1-ton flatbed dually, 1954 Pontiac Straight Eight Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most! | | |
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