Leaky Tire
 

Last summer, I noticed a cracked rim, and I bought a used wheel to replace it. I had the used wheel power coated, and I swapped the old tube and tire to the “new” wheel. It was the first time I ever replaced a Model A tire; so, I’m certainly no expert on this task. Unfortunately, the tire tube has leaked ever since.

If you break the “seal” on an installed tube to move it to a new wheel, should you be able to reuse the tube? Please see picture of valve stem.

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Re: Leaky Tire
 

I have (too often) punctured an innertube with tire irons either during removal or remounting the tire. That may have happened with you too. I’ve never had original metal stems though, so I can’t speak to whether they are prone leakage.

I also check the innertube by pumping it up and exposing it enough to water that any small leak might hiss and bubble, before I reinstall. When I was 17 (1962) I worked in a service station that had a Model A pickup as a service vehicle, and was taught to mount half the tire first, then partially inflate the tube, position the stem, then finish the mounting. Partially inflating the tube reduces the risk of pinching and puncturing it with tire irons.

Re: Leaky Tire
 

Is the tube likely to make a mess in the bathtub if I try testing it there?


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Re: Leaky Tire
 

It’s called pinching. Put a little soap and water in a spray bottle and spray the inflated tube, look for the bubbles, then mark the pinch X with a ball point pen.

Re: Leaky Tire
 

Make sure the valve isn't also the leak before you tear things down.

Re: Leaky Tire
 

Don't fool with damaged tubes, ordrer a new one from Snyder's. The best way to put a tire together is to have your tube in place, I usually put a close fitting washer over the stem, then add a cap to hold it, they way you wont lose the stem.
Get it together all you can by hand, then use a hammer to get the rest of the bead over and on, this way ther are no tools pinching the tube and making a bad spot.

Re: Leaky Tire
 

Ditto for replacing the old tube. You have gone to a lot of effort to replace the wheel, so do the same with the inner tube. Penny wise - dollar foolish as an old Triumph tech told me years ago when I owned Triumphs.



Also, you should put a little oil on the tools you are using and on the beads of the tire to make things slide on easier. Take your time and do not rush your effort. Make sure you are not pinching the inner tube during installation (as someone noted already).

Leaky Tire
 

The tube looks new. Is it really necessary to replace a good tube when moving to a different wheel? This isn’t a matter of “cheaping out.” I have a spare new tube on hand, but I don’t want to throw away a good part if it isn’t necessary.


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Re: Leaky Tire
 

Good idea.


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Leaky Tire
 

For me, that may be a better plan than potentially making a mess in the bathtub.


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Re: Leaky Tire
 

I would suggest bringing it to a professional tire store that is used to mounting tires with an inner tube. I had both of my model as done with my new tires.

Re: Leaky Tire
 

Shew, to answer your original question, there is no reason that you can't reuse the old tube. Just blow it up and make sure there's no holes in it. I usually dunk it in a washtub and watch for the bubbles. When I put it all together I put Murphy's Oil Soap on the tire and the rim. It makes it slippery and washes off easily. Also, I don't use tire irons. I've made tools out of hardwood. They're much gentler on tubes. Good luck.
Marty

Re: Leaky Tire
 

Re: Leaky Tire
 

Hello Shew, you have a lot of good ideas above. To summarize:
1. Do not take the tire to a professional garage. With Model As there are very few professionals, most have all passed away. The old timers and we the owners are the professionals now keeping these cars on the road. Garages will be just great removing the paint around your rims.
2. Do not use tire irons. Watch a Youtube video and see some the tricks they use such as a large trash bag which is very slippery!
3. Put soap and water on the valve stem to see if the inner valve is leaking.
4. Have someone help you during the mounting process, preferably someone who is big.
5. Following procedures you have seen on Youtube, lubricate the rim and tire and have your big friend walk around the tire and use wooden sticks to keep the tire from poping back off as he goes around.

I find this job somewhat amusing because you can make it incredibly difficult or extremely easy. Hopefully when you are done you still have all your paint and it doesn't leak. Good luck, Ed

Re: Leaky Tire
 

Thanks for the help. However, it looks like the leaky tire is a moot point for now. I measured the tread depth, and it needs replaced.

Re: Leaky Tire
 

How often do you drive in a rainstorm where you might hydroplane?

Re: Leaky Tire
 

"1. Do not take the tire to a professional garage. With Model As there are very few professionals, most have all passed away. The old timers and we the owners are the professionals now keeping these cars on the road. Garages will be just great removing the paint around your rims."

I second that. Modern shops know how to work on modern cars. 90-yr-old painted spoked wheels are not their bag. In fact, I would expand that and say don’t take your Model A to any modern mechanical or electric work shop either. These cars require service from and by people who know Model A’s.

Re: Leaky Tire
 

Sometimes if you have the tube out, you can blow it up quite a bit, wet it down and you can hear where the leak is.

Re: Leaky Tire
 

Hi Ray, how you doing?

Leaky Tire
 

It’s rare that the car gets caught in the rain. If it rains, the car normally stays parked. Skinny little (new or old) tires are not that great in the rain.

I started to place an order for new radials with Coker, but the site says they are back ordered.

Has anyone had a back order filled with Coker? Does a back order typically mean days or does it mean months?


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Re: Leaky Tire
 

If you do a good job of patching the tube it will be just as good as new. A good "old" tube can be much better than some of the new tubes. I run my tires until the thread is gone, and yes I sometimes get caught in a rainstorm. Never had an issue with hydroplaning an A. Now my 1970 VW beetle on the other hand, I can PLAN an that hydroplaning even with new tires.

Re: Leaky Tire
 

I don't know how people ever drove those cars.

I went on an ambulance call in 1971 where a VW Bug slid out into the highway, he couldn't stop at a stop sign, and went under a semi truck trailer that was traveling by at 55 MPH. We had a Funeral Home and back then all of the local undertakers owned ambulances. Of course the dude was killed, but what really freaked me out was, he was decapitated and his head was laying in the back seat. True story.

I vision that scene in my mind EVERYtime I see a VW bug or someone mentions them.

They were dangerous cars. :eek:

Re: Leaky Tire
 

Out of curiosity, how thick is the tread on a brand new Firestone bias ply tire?


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Re: Leaky Tire
 

Re: Leaky Tire
 

Talcum powder was widely used on tubes to stop them sticking. A bit of info on tubes here:
http://www.beadelltours.com.au/tubes.html

Re: Leaky Tire
 

I put baby powder liberally around inside of tire, install half of tire on rim then carefully insert tube. Then I add some air to get wrinkles out with valve core removed. Deflate tube and gently install the other bead into the rim. If you pinch the tire into the rim it will slide on easily. I then partially inflate tube and bounce the tire on the floor rotating it at the same time, just to seat the tube. Then inflate and deflate a few times.

Remember the old vulcanizing patches, put on the glue and patch then install vulcanizing pan clamp it light it and let it burn. I used to like the smell of the vulcanizing smoke.

Re: Leaky Tire
 

Thanks. That gives me some perspective.


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Re: Leaky Tire
 

Thanks for the link. :-)


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Re: Leaky Tire
 

Thanks for the steps. Now, I just need to find a place that actually has tires in stock. I would prefer whitewall radials, but so far I haven’t had any luck.


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Re: Leaky Tire
 

O
I am running inner tubes that were purchased from Snyder's forty years ago and they have been used in three sets of tires which I have warn out. No need to change to new tubes when changing tires.

Re: Leaky Tire
 

My thoughts also, tubes were built better then.

Re: Leaky Tire
 

That’s good to know. Thanks for sharing.


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Re: Leaky Tire
 

Store inner tubes inflated, but not over-inflated (stretched).