Safety of old tires

[SoCalCoupe]

It's hard to search for old threads on tire age so I'll start a new one.

Was looking at the date codes of the tires on my '41 purchased just 18 months ago. They're over 20 years old. They've obviously been indoors over 99% of the time and have almost zero wear. Nevertheless, rubber breaks down over time.

I've heard that even perfectly good looking tires over 10 years old can be unsafe. A couple of years ago I sent some 10 year old Michelin's to the dump just because I didn't want to stick someone with something that was potentially lethal. Sure, they might look good but, well, I don't know......don't want to put someone's life at risk for any price.

Anyway, I think I'm going to send my 20+ year-old tires to the dump and buy some cheater radials that look like original pie-crust tires. I need every safety advantage I can muster driving an 82 year old car on Interstate 5.

Welcome your thoughts.

[1948F-1Pickup]

Age has become a big deal. The composition of what’s in the rubber has obviously changed. I don’t remember tires going “south” at the rapid rate they do these days…..

[J Franklin]

You could offer your old tires to someone that needs rollers or parade tires and keep them out of the landfill. I use tires till they won't hold air any longer. A new tire can blow out too.

[Ggmac]

Please consider selling the tires as rollers for someone that has a long term project or someone trying different sizes . Suggest a written sales agreement stating your concerns.
Just something that could help another enthusiast.

[ronn]

as GG has said.

Ive bought several sets of 5 for 100. on cl.

I rarely drive the cars, local and they would be fine in a parade or for just showing the car off.

[corvette8n]

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https://www.productliabilityadvocate...hits-the-road/

Look like Mass proposed this in 2014, someone who lives in that state will have to comment.

[1942deluxe]

Brad, not to highjack the thread but the DOT markings on the 46 Fordor I just started on are DOT E4 062. Maybe 1962?. Not showing signs of cracking but at least new tubes are probably a good idea until I'm ready for new ones. When in doubt, replace!

[RKS.PA]

Also, seem to recall you drive your coupe quite a bit, but don't remember if you're venturing out on the freeways down there in So Cal. Have always thought of tires as relatively cheap insurance!!

[AnthonyG]

‘In My Humble Opinion’ I have 4 collectible Rides, 3 that get less than 300-500 miles per yr! On the one I run 1500-3000 miles a year I’m more cautious as I push it hard & fast occasionally but even that one like the others I watch for signs more than age! All are garaged & out of extreme temp change as the garage is under a heated area. I like most of u probably have run tires when younger that were Probly 10 yrs used when I bought. Even then used the same rational. Check frequently when signs dictated I’d dump them & get a fresher set! Truthfully only a couple times in 57 yrs & have never had an issue. The way a car is used ie lotsa mile or few, garaged or not, lotsa sun or shade etc! Also what the tires look like, ie chalkiness, cracks, flexibility, is it outside mostly in shade or sun etc! If I changed mine based on date code I’d have 2 cars less over 57 yrs as the $s woulda gone to tires! Again all this is ‘In My Humble Opinion’, the Gov & Tire makers are in bed together & a lot of what we read is based on that, ‘In My Humble Opinion’!

[Mike34]

Originally Posted by corvette8n

https://www.productliabilityadvocate...hits-the-road/

Look like Mass proposed this in 2014, someone who lives in that state will have to comment.

Never made it. Annual inspections do not look at tire codes.

[50fordcoupeman]

Have to ask, is the cost of a set of tires worth an injury at best let alone a flat or blowout ripping the fender off? Tires usually disenegrate on the inside but can look good on the outside. I had two 5 year old tires come apart last year on my pickup with a car on the trailer. ..............

[Zeke3]

I thought safe old tires was an oxymoron.

[JayChicago]

Originally Posted by 1942deluxe

Brad, not to highjack the thread but the DOT markings on the 46 Fordor I just started on are DOT E4 062. Maybe 1962?. Not showing signs of cracking but at least new tubes are probably a good idea until I'm ready for new ones. When in doubt, replace!

I believe "062" means the sixth week of 1992. Or 1982. (or 1972?) Yeah, one digit for the year doesn't tell you which decade! After 2000, manufactures were required to use two digits for the year.

[1942deluxe]

Jay, they were on the car when I bought it in 1991 and I think had been for awhile. I'm guessing the 1982. Mystery solved I think. Found a repair order from 1/15/1984 for 4 tires and tubes installed for $220 plus mounting and balancing. Work was done in Oblong, Illinois.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by 50fordcoupeman

Have to ask, is the cost of a set of tires worth an injury at best let alone a flat or blowout ripping the fender off? Tires usually disenegrate on the inside but can look good on the outside. I had two 5 year old tires come apart last year on my pickup with a car on the trailer. ..............

Ya know, I never quite bought into "replace every five years or so"...
UNTIL I spoke with a friend of mine that owns the Local Merlin Muffler shop. Like me, he didn't buy into that claim either.
Not until he started finding beautiful tires (on the outside) and separating plies on the inside.
I've got a number of sports cars that each get driven maybe 1500 miles a year. Replaced every set just last year. Like others have stated... not worth the risk.

[Model51]

The culprit is oxygen in the air. Oxygen reacts with the rubber compounds and "oxidizes" them over time reducing the internal adhesion and structure of the rubber. Normal air does this on the outside of the tire and on the inside. This is why some tire shops fill new tires with relatively pure dry nitrogen gas. Air is 76% nitrogen and 13% oxygen and the remainder is other gases.

I normally get new tires every 5-7 years on my modern daily driver cars so the breakdown of the rubber isn't an issue. One of our club members had not one, but two blowouts 5 miles apart in his '49 Woodie, in traffic, on I-95 last summer. Thankfully no injuries to anyone or the Woodie. He was able to get 4 new tires and continue the journey. On inspection, the tires looked great on the outside, but inside the ones that didn't blow out were all checked and delaminating. The tires were 10 years old.

Like others have said, a set of tires might cost a bit, but far less than the cost of an accident and injury.

I have a set of rollers on my truck which must be at least 60 years old. They hold air just fine but will never go any further on my truck than my driveway.

[frnkeore]

I'm on the reckless, endangering mine and others life side but, I've had a lot of experience with NOS tires, w/o any failures.

BUT, I'm not encouraging anyone doing as I do!!!

98% of tire failure come from under inflation and defectively made tires.

I'm a machinist and have worked in rubber molds. One of my employers from '74, worked for Firestone, in the '60's. Firestone have a lot of defective tires, until Bridgestone took them over. I had a new set of Pet Boys branded tire, in '63 and 3 of the 4 blew out at fwy speeds. I asked him about that and he told me that Firestone made those tires. Up until foreign made tires, came on the sceen, there were only 3 tire manufacturers in the US. Firestone, Goodyear and BF Goodrich. All other brands were made by them.

Before my step father died, he put a new set of premium Goodyear tires on his GMC van. I got the van after he died, the tires were 2 years old. I had 2 of those blow out at fwy speeds (one down town Sac @ 4pm (front), in the inside lane). I thought it might have been under inflation that caused it but, a few months later after making sure all the tires were at 32 lb, I had a rear blow out!!!

I recently bought a pair of race tires and was taking to the long standing tire guy and brought that up and he said Goodyear had defective tire issues in the early 2000's, when those tires were new.

Compression rubber molds are (the way tires are made) are vulcanized together with heat. And after that if the rubber gets to hot, it looses it strength and it's bonding ability to hold the carcass the materials, that make it strong (Nylon, Rayon, Steel) together, then at what ever temp that is (maybe 300+ deg) it suddenly comes apart.

Running a tire @ low pressure, allows the carcass to flex and the flexing creates heat. That heat is what causes the tire to blow out.

Again, don't do as I do, I'm just telling you why tires fail.

[Ken/Alabama]

Originally Posted by Zeke3

I thought safe old tires was an oxymoron.

My thinking exactly ! I’ve seen a couple 39-40 Fords that had a blowout on the left rear and it took out the gas filler pipe then spilled gas which ignited from the sparks and burned the car to the ground. I change my no later than five years no matter how good they look on the outside.

[SoCalCoupe]

That's settled then. No 20+ year old tires on the interstate for me.

Read through a lot of threads here and on the H.A.M.B. and already decided on Diamondback Auburn radial blackwalls: 600R16, the original size.

Consensus is they need radial tubes. Oddly Diamondback doesn't seem to sell tubes. The only ones I've found so far are Coker's from Speedway. Any recommendations?

[JayChicago]

You sure DiamondBack doesn't sell tubes? Maybe just not shown on their web site catalog? When I bought their expensive Auburn tires six years ago, the order-taker added radial tubes for only $10 per tube. No doubt would be more now.

[B-O-B]

Have you tried Tractor Supply ?

[SoCalCoupe]

Originally Posted by JayChicago

You sure DiamondBack doesn't sell tubes? Maybe just not shown on their web site catalog? When I bought their expensive Auburn tires six years ago, the order-taker added radial tubes for only $10 per tube. No doubt would be more now.

I should call. thanks!

[GB SISSON]

I ordered a pair of 7.50 x 17 inner tubes for my tonner from Morrow Tire which has 100% positive feedback on ebay. The tubes were Firestone and seemed to be of high quality with the correct brass stems.. I installed one yesterday and another today. I then ordered two more since I have two tonners and a utility trailer with same wheels and that's a hard to find size.

https://www.ebay.com/str/morrowtire

[Brian]

Instead of fitting radial tubes, I run tractor tubes in my radials...they are of heavier construction, and the valve stems are correctly sized to suit old Ford rims. Radial tubes have regular 'skinny' valve stems which necessitate the fitting of plastic grommets into the hole in rim to take up the difference

[nickthebandit]

Several years ago, I decided to put new tires on my non-stock 1931 Ford roadster after discovering cracks in the outer sidewall of 1 tire. I stepped up, and paid the price for new tires. After my old tires were removed, I saw many cracks on the inside walls of the tires including one crack that ran all around the inside wall of the tire. I was very thankful that I replaced my tires as the original tires were white-walled tires about 20 plus years old. I sold the set of 4 old tires for $ 100.00 to a guy that wanted some tires to just roll his car around.

[oldbugger]

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I've been running tubeless radials on my 35 with original wheels for about 10 yrs, no problems...

[Ian NZ]

Originally Posted by Brian

Instead of fitting radial tubes, I run tractor tubes in my radials...they are of heavier construction, and the valve stems are correctly sized to suit old Ford rims. Radial tubes have regular 'skinny' valve stems which necessitate the fitting of plastic grommets into the hole in rim to take up the difference

Brian, I will have to replace the whitewall tyres on the 1947 sedan coupe they have been on there 50 years what would be the best tyre to replace them in N.Z.

[drgoetz]

I know a guy that is running Ford branded tires. He got the set for $200.The tires do have new inner tubes.



When was the last time Ford installed Ford Branded tires?


Can't talk him out of using these tires because he only runs in town (35 mph or less).


Any thoughts?

[Carl]

...in my opinion, new tires that fail before the life span of the tire(as established by the manufacturer of the tire, 6 years maybe) should be eligeable for a recall notice simliar to a vehicle recall. Especially when the manufacturer knows there is a manufacturing defect. This would insure safety and customer good will.

[deuce_roadster]

If you go to my MISC folder, second page I have pictures of a friend's 40 coupe that burned due to a very old bias ply Left Rear tire (all were old) that blew out, took out the filler neck, and sparks from the rim set it blazing. Had just filled the tank and was on a tour. Luckily all occupants got out. The 4 pictures show what old tires can do.

[SoCalCoupe]

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

If you go to my MISC folder, second page I have pictures of a friend's 40 coupe that burned due to a very old bias ply Left Rear tire (all were old) that blew out, took out the filler neck, and sparks from the rim set it blazing. Had just filled the tank and was on a tour. Luckily all occupants got out. The 4 pictures show what old tires can do.

Glad to know all the occupants got out. Regardless of insurance or monetary concerns, don't want to go there. I work with probabilities a lot. There's a pair that's often used in analyzing these occurrences. Probability and consequence. It may be low probability but it is high consequence. And the consequences could have been much worse. If they'd been going 70mph and lost control of the car well....

[SoCalCoupe]

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

If you go to my MISC folder, second page I have pictures of a friend's 40 coupe that burned due to a very old bias ply Left Rear tire (all were old) that blew out, took out the filler neck, and sparks from the rim set it blazing. Had just filled the tank and was on a tour. Luckily all occupants got out. The 4 pictures show what old tires can do.

deuce_roadster said I could post his images. They're food for thought about running old tires.

[Jeff/Illinois]

What a shame on that '40 Coupe.

A buddy at the local front end shop reminded me a while back, that tires have a seven year shelf life, generally. So, just because you bought 'new' tires if they have been sitting somewhere for 3-4 years they are half way to being old.

You may want to verify that those new tires are indeed, new.

[SoCalCoupe]

Arrgh! Bought a new set of five new Diamondback Auburn radials with radial tubes also from Diamondback and had them installed. Had a flat on the way home from the shop with less than five miles on the tires. Hope I didn't ruin it. Used the plastic spacers to accommodate the smaller valve stem in the larger wheel hole. Naturally I suspect faulty installation but I haven't taken the time to inspect yet. Changed the tire, drove the rest of the way home, put the car in the garage and called it quits for the day.


Ironically, I removed my jack and tools to make room for the tires on the way to the shop so had to call a friend to shuttle me back home to get my jack and tools.

[GB SISSON]

I have run a lot of used tires over the years, but this thread has gotten my attention. On Tuesday the UPS truck delivered 4 new tires for my 4x4 roadster pickup. I thought the tires I bought used 20 years ago looked fine. No cracks, no chalky or any bad signs . At least not until I dismounted them to install the new tires. Hopefully Pete will blow up (no pun intended) the tread photo to show all the hidden cracks. We are hoping to head over Washington Pass this summer for a trip to Eastern Washington in this jalopy, which was my wife's idea. Great peace of mind and who doesn't like being knee deep in rubber?

[Newc]

Western Oregon- all used tires go to Molalla Tire Disposal and into the 'GRINDER'. They'll take your old tires for $2 @. Their trucks pickup old tires from shops all over the Pacific NW. Newc

[SoCalCoupe]

Originally Posted by SoCalCoupe

Arrgh! Bought a new set of five new Diamondback Auburn radials with radial tubes also from Diamondback and had them installed. Had a flat on the way home from the shop with less than five miles on the tires. .... Changed the tire, drove the rest of the way home, put the car in the garage and called it quits for the day.

Pulled the flat tire out of the trunk and figured it out in about 30 seconds. Diamondback uses wood spacers to hold the beads spread apart on the tires. The tire shop let one fall into the tire and then installed the inner tube right over it. I can hear it rolling around in there. No wonder the tube burst after just a few miles.

[GB SISSON]

Geez, SoCal! That's a new one on me. I hope the installer gets yelled at for that bonehead move. On tube tires I sneak my wife's vacuum out of the house to suck up any grit before the tube goes in. On my fiirst freeway trip in the woodie I got a flat after I reached my destination. Tire shop said it was abrasion from grit against the tube. But a block of wood?

[MGG]

Originally Posted by Newc

Western Oregon- all used tires go to Molalla Tire Disposal and into the 'GRINDER'. They'll take your old tires for $2 @. Their trucks pickup old tires from shops all over the Pacific NW. Newc

They also took some old widow maker truck wheels that I had.

[Bob/Ohio]

I have had 2 tires on different cars of mine blow sitting in my garage last year. Cars had not been driven for months. Yes tires were 15 + years old. Both tires blew the tread right off the casing in one area. Glad I wasn't on the highway.
b
Bob

[earlyride]

Feel bad for the guy with the 40 that burned, I always carry a halon extinguisher and on one occasion it saved my truck from burning when I had a engine fire. Halon works well and doesn't leave a mess like dry chemical extinguishers do.

[jimvette59]

I just sold a set of 20 + year old Coker 750 x 15 white wall tires that didn't have a crack or blemish on them with a c1 front end and differential for cheep to a c1 owner. He said he needs them for a roller.

[sugarmaker]

Folks,
Being lazy today!
That is a darn shame about that 40 Ford burning up from a blow out old tire. I try to keep good tires on the stuff I drive. The 32 dump got all new "Firestone" tires 2 years ago when it was ready. It will never go much over 40 MPH. So heat will not be an issue.

I must say: (this is only trying to make something positive from the picture of the burning car), that he did have the fore site to save the cooler, with the beer in it, and cracked one open! Just kidding!
Old tires and road hazards are no joke!
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[flat-v8]

I never really thought about tires until reading this post. I figured these Denman Super Safety 4 ply Bias whitewalls were kinda old, but they still look good and ride fine. I drive on these every weekend @ 50-55 mph. There's no DOT anything on these, but I did find on the inside this ID code. I guess if I'm reading this right it's time for some new tires LOL! And my spare is a Firestone Gum Dipped 4 ply, never been on the road, age unknown?

[GB SISSON]

Here's one more reason.... (never thought it would be ME cautioning anybody about anything)..... But last Spring I was adding some air to a 12 ply michelin radial recap 7.50 x 17. The truck was not roadworthy yet, but was approaching that realm. The rears were new from Coker by PO. I had filled the right front, same recap to 30 lb and was airing up the left. Was at maybe 20-25 lbs and it went off like dynamite. Not like a shotgun by any means. My face was less than 2' away and fortunately it blew a huge hole in the back side. There was no fender on it and the blast blew a couple of chrome headbolts covers off that were on with silicone. I was 69 then and considered my hearing to be excellent to good, never thought about it. Well after the explosion I lost maybe 90% of my hearing in both ears. My wife ran down from the house and my kid heard it over the sawmill he was running 100 yards away and also came running. I couln't make out a word they were saying. I stayed that way for 1/2 hour, then it started coming back, but after 4 hours it never got better. I can watch tv at volume 9 , but any accent like British etc I can't understand. Gonna look into the hearing aids at Costco next time on the mainland. And I was doing Sooo well.

[q81a]

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Tyres made from 2000 to the present day. The date code is four digits long. The first two digits represent the week of production, the second two represent the year. A tyre marked 1412 , was made in the fourteenth week of 2012. 1990-1999. The date code is three digits long followed by a triangle. The first two digits represent the week, the third digit the year. !980-1989. The three digit code was also used in the 1980,s but without the triangle. Before 1980; if your tyres do not have any of these markings, they were made before 1980 and should be replaced.

[SoCalCoupe]

Update: Regardless of the wood block, the tire shop got me fixed up by convincing me to mount the offending tire without a tube. My thought, 1941 wheel, bad idea. However, now I think they're right. Been running one wheel tubeless for several months, the others with tubes. No significant difference.


The tire shop, Discount Tire in Pacific Beach, did the right thing and took care of my issues.


Diamondback Auburn radials are awesome tires! Highly recommended.