bias ply tire pressures
 

Just started driving my flathead powered chopped A coupe.
What are the best tire pressures for Coker Firestones 6:00 x 16
Front and 750 x 16 rears and how much toe?
Running a 40 front axle with split bones and tube shocks.

Re: bias ply tire pressures
 

I run similar bias set up and believe that normal range to run would be 32-34psi - I like 34 psi - others may prefer something different.

Re: bias ply tire pressures
 

I run 32psi in my 6:00 x 16 Firestone tires on my 40 Ford
Tudor Sedan. This pressure seems to work well.

Re: bias ply tire pressures
 

I find that when switching tires from the factory recommended ones to an off size it best to chalk them, to determine the correct pressure. Find an empty parking lot and add some chalk to the tires and dive around the building and check the chalk, you'll see the ware pattern and adjust accordingly. Rumble seat would run them alittle soft to improve the ride. Radials are really a great improvement over the old Bias ply tires. There are allot of good things out there that can improve the performance, economy and safety of our old cars.

Re: bias ply tire pressures
 

I have 550-16 fronts and 700-16 rear bias Firestones on my AV8 and run 26 psi all around. Steers a little harder but rides and handles much better than at 32-35. Agree with Ol' Ron about chalking them. They were riding up on he center of the tread with anything over 30 psi.

Re: bias ply tire pressures
 

Re: bias ply tire pressures
 

How much does your car weigh? Optimal tire pressure depends on the weight of the vehicle. Too much and you wear out the center of the tread. Too little and you wear out the edges. My operator's manual says 28 psi for my 3,420 lb 47 fordor with stock 600-16 bias ply tires. That's what I've run for 71,000 miles through three sets of Coker B.F. Goodrich Silvertowns. They have always worn evenly across the tread and ride much smoother than higher pressures that I've tried temporarily. So, unless your car weighs more than mine (wouldn't think for an older chopped coupe), you shouldn't run any higher pressure in the 600-16 bias ply tires than 28 psi. You'll wear them out early in the middle of the tread. I would think more along the lines of the 26 psi that CT AV8 recommended. Larger rear tires on the lighter end of the car probably even less pressure than that.

Re: bias ply tire pressures
 

This being the Early V8 Forum, I'n not sure about toe in on a Model A.
The V8 toe in would be 1/16" to 1/8" total, but then again, that would be with no rake and stock wishbones.
Hope you get a better answer than mine!

Re: bias ply tire pressures
 

I've always run 34 psi pressure for my F1 on all the versions of 6:50 x 16 bias ply tyres I've used over the years.

Re: bias ply tire pressures
 

Alan, your answer is right. 're toe in, should be set the same wether rake or no rake or stock or modified wishbone. I like toe in towards the 1/8", straight lines better, but does "feather" the tread a little bit.
In my opinion.
Martin.

Re: bias ply tire pressures
 

Init1, I'd like to concur with Old Henry regarding weight of vehicle and tire inflation. Our AV8's are much lighter than the later model cars and pu trucks that some of the respondents drive with higher pressures. Our cars are under 2,000 lbs and need less air. But it's an easy thing to experiment with. I started at 35 and kept going lower till I found a better ride and feel. Car jumped around too much with more air especially the rear.
Also agree with Ford38V8 on the 1/16" toe. That's what I run.

Re: bias ply tire pressures
 

Alan, your answer is right. 're toe in, should be set the same wether rake or no rake or stock or modified wishbone. I like toe in towards the 1/8", straight lines better, but does "feather" the tread a little bit.
In my opinion.
Martin.
Forgot this, tire pressure. Something light, A roadster for example, tire pressure around 28 drives much nicer than 30 and higher.
I've found getting the toe in right, caster right (if it's been modified some how) and tire pressure down around 26-28 lb, will allow me to scoot along the big roads with only one hand on the wheel easily, with none of the normal bias ply symptoms. Also corners much better, with good grip. This assumes the tires arnt near fossilized with age, seen that on cars that " drive bad, but bias plys do, I'm gonna upgrade to radials" if you catch my drift.