[Napa Skip]

16” Tires: I have a set of 16” (1934 Ford?) rims obtained from a fellow club member and am ready to obtain tires (the set of 19” wheels will be retained for ‘show’). I am interested in other forum members’ comments about:

(1) Type of 16” tires (bias ply or radial)?
(2) Size?
(3) Source?

For example, the other members of our club that run 16” tires are generally using P215/70R16 Uniroyal radials. However, Coker Tire shows bias ply sizes from 450/475-16 to 750-16 (10 sizes) and radial sizes from 205/55R16 to 295/50R16 (9 sizes). I did a quick search of this forum for threads on 16” tires but did not see anything definitive; one thread on the Early V-8 forum (“Firestones, Coker Radials or Excelsior Radials”) seemed to confirm a preference for radial tires, but I wanted to get some direct Model A owner recommendations.

Any other comments, both pro and con about 16” wheels/tires would be appreciated. When last checked a few months ago, the steering geometry on my 1930 coupe was good at 5 deg (more or less) caster, +3-1/2 deg (each side) camber and about +1/16” toe-in. I have a stock 2-tooth steering sector with a standard-length pitman arm, 34-year old reproduction lever-arm hydraulic shocks in good condition, and mechanical brakes. I have gotten good service (even wear, no cupping, cracks or checks) out of the 4.75/5.00/5.25/5.50-19 Bedford 4-ply nylon tires I have had for many (too many, probably) years.

16” Wheel Hub Caps: I am also interested in any recommendation as to the best source for high-quality hub caps for the 16” wheels (I’m currently leaning toward the Snyder B-1130 stainless steel hub caps but at around $100 for a set of 5 (+ tax/shipping/handling) if there is a better/more durable product out there, I’d like to hear about it.

Camber: And, as regards the camber, are there any comments about a smaller camber? Steve Smith, in his ”Proper Front-End Alignment Using Modern Day Tires” in the March/April 2004 Model “A” News, recommended +/- 0.5 deg camber. But I’m reluctant, for obvious reasons, to subject an otherwise (apparently) good front axle to “tweaking” unless absolutely warranted.

Sorry for the long post.