Leaky Tire

[shew01]

Last summer, I noticed a cracked rim, and I bought a used wheel to replace it. I had the used wheel power coated, and I swapped the old tube and tire to the “new” wheel. It was the first time I ever replaced a Model A tire; so, I’m certainly no expert on this task. Unfortunately, the tire tube has leaked ever since.

If you break the “seal” on an installed tube to move it to a new wheel, should you be able to reuse the tube? Please see picture of valve stem.




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[700rpm]

I have (too often) punctured an innertube with tire irons either during removal or remounting the tire. That may have happened with you too. I’ve never had original metal stems though, so I can’t speak to whether they are prone leakage.

I also check the innertube by pumping it up and exposing it enough to water that any small leak might hiss and bubble, before I reinstall. When I was 17 (1962) I worked in a service station that had a Model A pickup as a service vehicle, and was taught to mount half the tire first, then partially inflate the tube, position the stem, then finish the mounting. Partially inflating the tube reduces the risk of pinching and puncturing it with tire irons.

[shew01]

Originally Posted by 700rpm

I also check the innertube by pumping it up and exposing it enough to water that any small leak might hiss and bubble, before I reinstall. When I was 17 (1962) I worked in a service station that had a Model A pickup as a service vehicle, and was taught to mount half the tire first, then partially inflate the tube, position the stem, then finish the mounting. Partially inflating the tube reduces the risk of pinching and puncturing it with tire irons.

Is the tube likely to make a mess in the bathtub if I try testing it there?


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[McMimmcs]

It’s called pinching. Put a little soap and water in a spray bottle and spray the inflated tube, look for the bubbles, then mark the pinch X with a ball point pen.

[J Franklin]

Make sure the valve isn't also the leak before you tear things down.

[warrene]

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Don't fool with damaged tubes, ordrer a new one from Snyder's. The best way to put a tire together is to have your tube in place, I usually put a close fitting washer over the stem, then add a cap to hold it, they way you wont lose the stem.
Get it together all you can by hand, then use a hammer to get the rest of the bead over and on, this way ther are no tools pinching the tube and making a bad spot.

[pbishop]

Ditto for replacing the old tube. You have gone to a lot of effort to replace the wheel, so do the same with the inner tube. Penny wise - dollar foolish as an old Triumph tech told me years ago when I owned Triumphs.



Also, you should put a little oil on the tools you are using and on the beads of the tire to make things slide on easier. Take your time and do not rush your effort. Make sure you are not pinching the inner tube during installation (as someone noted already).

[shew01]

Originally Posted by pbishop

Ditto for replacing the old tube. You have gone to a lot of effort to replace the wheel, so do the same with the inner tube. Penny wise - dollar foolish as an old Triumph tech told me years ago when I owned Triumphs.



Also, you should put a little oil on the tools you are using and on the beads of the tire to make things slide on easier. Take your time and do not rush your effort. Make sure you are not pinching the inner tube during installation (as someone noted already).

The tube looks new. Is it really necessary to replace a good tube when moving to a different wheel? This isn’t a matter of “cheaping out.” I have a spare new tube on hand, but I don’t want to throw away a good part if it isn’t necessary.


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[shew01]

Originally Posted by J Franklin

Make sure the valve isn't also the leak before you tear things down.

Good idea.


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[shew01]

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

Put a little soap and water in a spray bottle and spray the inflated tube

For me, that may be a better plan than potentially making a mess in the bathtub.


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[ModelAMike1930]

I would suggest bringing it to a professional tire store that is used to mounting tires with an inner tube. I had both of my model as done with my new tires.

[marty in Ohio]

Shew, to answer your original question, there is no reason that you can't reuse the old tube. Just blow it up and make sure there's no holes in it. I usually dunk it in a washtub and watch for the bubbles. When I put it all together I put Murphy's Oil Soap on the tire and the rim. It makes it slippery and washes off easily. Also, I don't use tire irons. I've made tools out of hardwood. They're much gentler on tubes. Good luck.
Marty

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by marty in Ohio

I don't use tire irons. I've made tools out of hardwood. They're much gentler on tubes. Good luck.
Marty

Marty, I love homemade tools. Can we see some pictures of your "Tire Hardwoods"? I bet they are much gentler on the wheels as well.

[Ed in Maine]

Hello Shew, you have a lot of good ideas above. To summarize:
1. Do not take the tire to a professional garage. With Model As there are very few professionals, most have all passed away. The old timers and we the owners are the professionals now keeping these cars on the road. Garages will be just great removing the paint around your rims.
2. Do not use tire irons. Watch a Youtube video and see some the tricks they use such as a large trash bag which is very slippery!
3. Put soap and water on the valve stem to see if the inner valve is leaking.
4. Have someone help you during the mounting process, preferably someone who is big.
5. Following procedures you have seen on Youtube, lubricate the rim and tire and have your big friend walk around the tire and use wooden sticks to keep the tire from poping back off as he goes around.

I find this job somewhat amusing because you can make it incredibly difficult or extremely easy. Hopefully when you are done you still have all your paint and it doesn't leak. Good luck, Ed

[shew01]

Thanks for the help. However, it looks like the leaky tire is a moot point for now. I measured the tread depth, and it needs replaced.

[J Franklin]

Originally Posted by shew01

Thanks for the help. However, it looks like the leaky tire is a moot point for now. I measured the tread depth, and it needs replaced.

How often do you drive in a rainstorm where you might hydroplane?

[700rpm]

"1. Do not take the tire to a professional garage. With Model As there are very few professionals, most have all passed away. The old timers and we the owners are the professionals now keeping these cars on the road. Garages will be just great removing the paint around your rims."

I second that. Modern shops know how to work on modern cars. 90-yr-old painted spoked wheels are not their bag. In fact, I would expand that and say don’t take your Model A to any modern mechanical or electric work shop either. These cars require service from and by people who know Model A’s.

[Fred K OR]

Sometimes if you have the tube out, you can blow it up quite a bit, wet it down and you can hear where the leak is.

[Fred K OR]

Originally Posted by 700rpm

"1. Do not take the tire to a professional garage. With Model As there are very few professionals, most have all passed away. The old timers and we the owners are the professionals now keeping these cars on the road. Garages will be just great removing the paint around your rims."

I second that. Modern shops know how to work on modern cars. 90-yr-old painted spoked wheels are not their bag. In fact, I would expand that and say don’t take your Model A to any modern mechanical or electric work shop either. These cars require service from and by people who know Model A’s.

Hi Ray, how you doing?

[shew01]

Originally Posted by J Franklin

How often do you drive in a rainstorm where you might hydroplane?

It’s rare that the car gets caught in the rain. If it rains, the car normally stays parked. Skinny little (new or old) tires are not that great in the rain.

I started to place an order for new radials with Coker, but the site says they are back ordered.

Has anyone had a back order filled with Coker? Does a back order typically mean days or does it mean months?


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[eagle]

If you do a good job of patching the tube it will be just as good as new. A good "old" tube can be much better than some of the new tubes. I run my tires until the thread is gone, and yes I sometimes get caught in a rainstorm. Never had an issue with hydroplaning an A. Now my 1970 VW beetle on the other hand, I can PLAN an that hydroplaning even with new tires.

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by eagle

..................... Now my 1970 VW beetle on the other hand, I can PLAN an that hydroplaning even with new tires...............

I don't know how people ever drove those cars.

I went on an ambulance call in 1971 where a VW Bug slid out into the highway, he couldn't stop at a stop sign, and went under a semi truck trailer that was traveling by at 55 MPH. We had a Funeral Home and back then all of the local undertakers owned ambulances. Of course the dude was killed, but what really freaked me out was, he was decapitated and his head was laying in the back seat. True story.

I vision that scene in my mind EVERYtime I see a VW bug or someone mentions them.

They were dangerous cars.

[shew01]

Out of curiosity, how thick is the tread on a brand new Firestone bias ply tire?


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[McMimmcs]

it used to be 11/32 inch. Wayne

[updraught]

Talcum powder was widely used on tubes to stop them sticking. A bit of info on tubes here:
http://www.beadelltours.com.au/tubes.html

[vern hodgson]

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Originally Posted by updraught

Talcum powder was widely used on tubes to stop them sticking. A bit of info on tubes here:
http://www.beadelltours.com.au/tubes.html

I put baby powder liberally around inside of tire, install half of tire on rim then carefully insert tube. Then I add some air to get wrinkles out with valve core removed. Deflate tube and gently install the other bead into the rim. If you pinch the tire into the rim it will slide on easily. I then partially inflate tube and bounce the tire on the floor rotating it at the same time, just to seat the tube. Then inflate and deflate a few times.

Remember the old vulcanizing patches, put on the glue and patch then install vulcanizing pan clamp it light it and let it burn. I used to like the smell of the vulcanizing smoke.

[shew01]

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

it used to be 11/32 inch. Wayne

Thanks. That gives me some perspective.


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[shew01]

Originally Posted by updraught

Talcum powder was widely used on tubes to stop them sticking. A bit of info on tubes here:
http://www.beadelltours.com.au/tubes.html

Thanks for the link. :-)


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[shew01]

Originally Posted by vern hodgson

I put baby powder liberally around inside of tire, install half of tire on rim then carefully insert tube. Then I add some air to get wrinkles out with valve core removed. Deflate tube and gently install the other bead into the rim. If you pinch the tire into the rim it will slide on easily. I then partially inflate tube and bounce the tire on the floor rotating it at the same time, just to seat the tube. Then inflate and deflate a few times.

Remember the old vulcanizing patches, put on the glue and patch then install vulcanizing pan clamp it light it and let it burn. I used to like the smell of the vulcanizing smoke.

Thanks for the steps. Now, I just need to find a place that actually has tires in stock. I would prefer whitewall radials, but so far I haven’t had any luck.


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[RandyinUtah]

O
I am running inner tubes that were purchased from Snyder's forty years ago and they have been used in three sets of tires which I have warn out. No need to change to new tubes when changing tires.

[J Franklin]

Originally Posted by RandyinUtah

O
I am running inner tubes that were purchased from Snyder's forty years ago and they have been used in three sets of tires which I have warn out. No need to change to new tubes when changing tires.

My thoughts also, tubes were built better then.

[shew01]

Originally Posted by RandyinUtah

O
I am running inner tubes that were purchased from Snyder's forty years ago and they have been used in three sets of tires which I have warn out. No need to change to new tubes when changing tires.

That’s good to know. Thanks for sharing.


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[katy]

Store inner tubes inflated, but not over-inflated (stretched).