The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop radial tires and stock rims

Still investigating radial tires and two of the tire shops I spoke to say I need tubes because the stock rims do not have a safety lip on them. The tires could 'roll' off. Other shops say it is okay to run them tubeless.

Well, I purchased five rims with the hubcap clips a long time ago through the Parts Wanted forum. Installed Michelin LTX AT radials on them without any problem. The tire shop even went so far as to mark each tire and rim combination as to where they should be mounted on the truck for the best ride and wear. Guess he forgot I was driving a '49 bolt!

My original 16" 1955.1 rims had radials on them. It took every bit of strength for 2 husky men to pry a tire off over the rim and that was after the beads were broken totally free.

somebodies pullin yer chain Bill - the only thing that might prevent tubeless workin on old rims is if they're riveted and the rusty rivets leak, those guys just wanna catch the profit on some old tubes they got kickin around - nothing different about the lips on our truck rims - spend yer money at shops that know their job!

Bill

I think the safety bead is supposed to keep the bead in place when the tire goes flat.

Inner tubes are not going to keep the bead in place and there is only a safety bead on one side of the rim.

You can train any kid how to change a tire, but many kids can't be trained to really know anything about anything.

I put tubes in mine, but that was because that was how Grandpa had done it for years, and he was helping me.

Of course, I have the Stock Split Rims, so the tire stores didn't want to even have them on the property.

I've got 27,500 miles (in 5+ years) on stock rims with 215 85R 16 LT Michelin's. Many people told me it would be safe and I took their advice. This application is on a 3100 1/2 ton.

I have a 50 Chevy 1/2 working truck with 215-85-16 load range D radials,no tubes,mounted on rivited 5 inch wide late 50's rims.No problems and they hold air fine.

Ditto.

Bill I have a set of original rims on my 47 ford trailer. I installed bias ply tires on them and I left the tubes off. They hold air perfectly, I think unless your rims are damaged, you should be fine.


Lothar

I have a 50 3/4 ton with the stock 15" 2-piece rims and I put 235/75-15 radials on them by myself. You have to use tubes and flaps (liners) for them to seal. They run great. This is the second truck I have put radials on.
DO IT! :p

Sounds like I am going to fore go the tubes! The only other thing I was told by an outsider was the concern for high speed cornering (me, in a 49!!) and the only time I turn tight is to go into a driveway, but it is not fast.

I have a 1951 Chevy 1/2 ton 3100 running Michelin radials on stock rims. I tried running them tubeless for a while but they kept loosing air. I finally put tubes in and they are fine now.

The only problem that I have ever had with putting tubes inside tubeless tires on old rims is when they are first inflated air can become trapped between the tube and the tire. This air will eventually leak out. If not through one of the rivets it will surely come out around the tub’s valve stem as it is not sealed to the wheel. Once this air is out you will have a low tire, but all the air will be inside the tube. Re-inflate to your desired pressure and you will be ok

Some Michelin truck tires still require tubes. I ran into the same thing on my 57. As a rule though running tubes make a radial harder to balance,harder to keep balanced,harder riding,and the tubes will make them run hotter.Unless you have a tire or a wheel that leaks and can't be sealed,or unless you run offroad a LOT,I don't recommend 'em.
Speed