1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

Our 1938 Deluxe wagon has Firestone whitewalls; however, I cannot find the correct (or reasonably correct) inflation pressure. Would appreciate any guidance. Thank you

Re: 1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

Back when I worked at a gas station, in the bias ply days, we used 28-32 psi for everything except truck tires, Volkswagens and Corvairs.

Re: 1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

Thank you

Re: 1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

You haven't told us if you have radials or bias plys. 32 is a decent general number for radials. Bias plys need less. Previously, I had a set of Firestone wide white bias plys on my '51 Ford. The factory sticker on the inside of the glovebox door on my very original car says 24 front and 21 rear. I know, it surprised me too.

Re: 1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

Here's what the owners manual says. In 1951, the "DeLuxe" (base) models came with 6.00 X 16 tires. Note the significantly higher pressure they call for. It's on the bottom of the right hand page. For those of you who don't want to strain your eyes or neck, it says :

...Size...Front Rear

6.70 X 15 24 21
6.00 X 16 28 25
7.10 X 15 25 30

(I believe the 7.10 X 15's were used on station wagons, thus the higher rear pressure.

Re: 1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

Whwn I worked in a service station back in the dark ages, mid to late 40s, it was 32 lbs in 600 x 16s. When newer tires came out, I've forgotten the term they used for them, low pressure? it was 28 lbs. I still put 32 lbs in my tires til this day. (That is when I can squat down to check them. LOL.)

Re: 1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

On my daily driven 35 pickup the fronts 5.50x16 I ran at 35, the rears 7.50x16 at 32. The front tyres are still in great condition after 6 years and would have years more left in them.

Re: 1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

Again; radials or bias-ply? It does make a difference.

I am quite surprised that many of you suggest deviating from what Ford Motor Company recommends by a substantial amount. And that you seem to think there is no difference between radials an bias-plys.

Re: 1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

My firestone deluxe champion bias Ply whitewalls 6.50-16 say max 32 psi @ max load 1580lbs.

Re: 1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

You have to remember that the car companies recommended the tire pressure that would yield the best handling and ride quality, while the tire companies recommended the pressure that would give the longest tire life.

While the car companies knew exactly which combination of automobile and tires would be in use, the tire companies had no idea how their tires were to be used.

Re: 1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

Bias ply, my apologies; sounds like < 32 psi is the way to go. The genesis of the question has to do with seeing if correct inflation improves the sometimes “vague” tracking through corners or if this is just a fact of life with bias ply construction. I like the look of the Firestone bias whitewalls, but don’t want to add sway bars to an otherwise unmolested car.

Re: 1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

My 1938 ford reference book says to keep tires inflated to 30psi. 1932-1948 Ford maintenance manual has spread sheet for specific psi for specific tire size. Hopefully the pics are clear enough to read.

Not Sure if I'd run 32psi as that is max rating. Personally I run 30 psi all around. Although the maintenance manual specifies 28 psi for my tire size 6.50-16-4. The amount of ply's play a part as well as size.

https://fordbarn.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1601000985

https://fordbarn.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1601000985

Re: 1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

Tires, like most everything else, evolve and have improved over the years, so
the recommendations listed in your old car handbook, were for the tires made
at that time. Many of the new radials have a Max pressure of 44 and even 51#'s.

Look at the recommendations that the tire manufacture puts right on the tire,
and I generally run a few pounds less than the Max listed on the tire.
Use some common sense on how much less, generally 4 to 8#'s less, depending
on the weight of your car, and a couple #'s less in the rear than the front.

Here is an article about under inflated tires.

Driving on under-inflated tires is dangerous. According to the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost 1/3 of passenger cars, light
trucks and SUVs are being driven with at least one under-inflated tire.

Under-inflation is one of the leading causes of tire failure. If tire pressure
is too low, too much of the tire’s surface area touches the road, which
increases friction. Increased friction can cause the tires to overheat,
which can lead to premature wear, tread separation and blowouts.




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Re: 1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

This is incredibly helpful, thank you all

Re: 1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

Ditto..
I just responded to the same question (s) about tire pressure on '53 model year Chrysler. The owner of the vehicle was running 24 psi on bias ply tires, had questions why the car handled so poorly.
When I was in my late teens I went through a Standard Oil, Inc training school in order to go to work for the company.. Standard Oil really stressed tire safety and correct tire pressure.
The majority of the responses on the Mopar forum told the man to follow the factory manual which stated 24 psi., with no allowance for weight speed, etc., of course that is the difference between old school and modern technology.

Re: 1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

"correct inflation improves the sometimes “vague” tracking through corners"


How old are the tires?? Makes a difference. JMO
Paul in CT

Re: 1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

Probably 12-15 years old, but no evidence of dry rot

Re: 1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

No but I bet the sidewalls are very stiff. JMO I've got Remington's (15") that are old but still ride nice on the highway or around town (G-78 & L-78).

Paul in CT

Re: 1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

Hi Everyone. Jacques1960, you didn't ask for this kind of advice, but I'd put tires way up high on your 'to-get' list if you're thinking of driving any distance at all.

Re: 1938 Firestone whitewall tire pressure
 

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