30/3.5 tires
 

installing new tires on my 19 touring. One of the old tires was notched for the valve stem the other was not. Watch some video on tire installing, they didnt say any thing on notching. what is correct?

Re: 30/3.5 tires
 

With longer valve stems like the old 777 T.R.3 Schrader types and with a tire that has aged a bit, some folks notch the tire to help clear the valve stem. Personally, I would avoid notching a tire to help get it on the rim. Some folks use the shorter 888 T.R.16 Schrader valve to make it easier but it always depends on the type of rim. The rest is in technique of installation a person follows. Putting on old hard rubber is a PITA. I've done it quite a few times and it will always be a PITA.

Re: 30/3.5 tires
 

I have rubber stems

Re: 30/3.5 tires
 

If you don't know the history of the tires, there's no telling how many times they've been mounted or with what valve stems.

Re: 30/3.5 tires
 

Rotorwrench, you mention using the Schrader 888 TR 16 valve stems on Model T tires. I have several of these stems and would like to know what they were used on originally? I do know that the 888 Schraders WITHOUT the TR 16 logo was used on 1927 Model A at the very beginning of production and stopped at the end of DEC. 1927, but what about the 888 TR16? Thanks.

Re: 30/3.5 tires
 

All I know are the dimensions in length are different. Schrader made them for any company that needed them and most felloes were likely thick enough that they needed a fairly long stem. This link illustrates the dimensions:
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages...tml?1517868958

The Shrader 888 valve is shorter than the 777 but will still work on some model T wheels. The 888 may have been a later production item but I don't know. Wire wheels only had to deal with the rim and flap since there are no felloes but just a drop center rim for easier fitment. The model T demountable Kelsey and Hayes felloes were different than wood felloes but they still had that space between the steel felloe and the demountable rim. Kelsey Hayse merged in 1927. Before that the two companies both supplied the auto industry. After the merger, they became a power house in the auto wheel world. Schrader had their own market too.

Re: 30/3.5 tires
 

Thanks for the information, Rotorwrench. I first read about Model T tire valve stems in the Model A News in one of Doc Kalinka's last articles several years ago. It was there that he mentioned the 777 valve stems as being original for Model T, and not to be confused with the later 888 stems used on the first Model A's in 1927. As you mentioned, the 888's are shorter than the 777's. In the same article, he also mentioned that the Tire and Rim Association was founded in 1929, and stems made in 29 and later has the Tr markings. That explains why Model A stems made in late 29 and later all had the TR markings with a number stamped on them. I am assuming that the 888TR16 stems were a replacement stem used after 1929?
Is there a Model T Judging Standards similar to the Model A judging standards that documents what Ford used for valve stems in the various years of Model T production?

Re: 30/3.5 tires
 

I think the model T "Judging Guidelines" book is in it's 7th edition from the Model T Ford Club International. There are also parts identification guides available too. Snyder's lists the 6th edition and Lang's lists the 7th edition. Updates are on the MTFCI web site.

Re: 30/3.5 tires
 

Try mounting one without notching and see how it goes. Notches may not be needed with current production tires.

Re: 30/3.5 tires
 

looks like notching needed with metal stems, I have rubber stems so will try not notching. Thanks everyone

Re: 30/3.5 tires
 

I found that the key to dis- mounting and mounting tires is the sun and a hot day.
I needed to remove tires that were on the rims for 40 years struggled until someone told me to let the sun heat them up. It was a hot summer day in NH (one of the few) so I left them in the sun until they were almost too hot to handle and they came off easily. I did the same with the new tires.

Re: 30/3.5 tires
 

I don't notch mine but have used some that were notched. I can see no difference either way. The tube makes its own way between things just fine.

Re: 30/3.5 tires
 

Help me out here to learn something. What do you mean by "notching" the tire? I have always had demountable rims on later cars, but just got a 1912 Roadster so I am learning the finer points of owning one of the older model cars. And, I will be mounting tires when I get my rebuilt wheels back from Stutzman's so every little bit I can learn is appreciated.

Re: 30/3.5 tires
 

Some clincher tires, the casing wraps all the way around the tube with just the slit down the center. In some cases you would need to cut a notch to allow the valve stem to pass through.

Re: 30/3.5 tires
 

Some need it, some don't. Helpful stuff here:
https://modeltfordfix.com/time-to-re...lincher-tires/