Lets Have A Bias Versus Radial Tire Debate/Discussion

[aero3113]

Aero, I really like the look of those tires. They really suit your car, that might be what I buy next time. Just as soon as my yardsale cheapies give out.

Thanks Flatie,they handle really well also.

[RobertKB]

I thought you couldn't run portawalls on radial tires?

[1942cowdodge]

I have a set of radials they are ok but do not give the look like a 6:00-16" tire. I tried the radials on my old Dodge and it just didn't look right. So I went back to my old standard bias-ply tire and got the looks of a car from the 40's. I do not drive my car very much so when I do I just cruse about 50 or so.

[B-Watson]

you guys in the cold weather ,,, if my memory serves me right ... didn't the bias tires get flat spots when cold ,, and then smooth out after tires warmed up ??? thats what i remember about them ... I remember that my car shook for quite a few miles till they got warm .. and i was in California at the time ... of course ,, that was a long time ago ,,a lot of "JACK" and left handed twisters .. sober now ,,, for the most part ... things back then are a fog ...

Nylon tires did that. Grew up on the prairies where -40 was common in December and January. Can remember many mornings sitting in the back seat of Dad's 1955 Dodge Regent with Powerflite and nylon snow tires. The 251-cid flathead six would chug for the first mile or so which made for a memorable ride down the back lane - engine chugging away while bouncing down the lane on flat-bottomed tires.

Bill

Vancouver, BC

[Andydodge]

I have had radials on my 40 Dodge since 1973, I'd forgotten what a "joy" crossplies/bias plies were/are till I bought the 41 Plymouth.......it had 6.00 x 16 Republic whitewalls, dunno how old but they looked quite new, the car was a pain in the butt, wandered all over the road, but the Coker radials made a huge difference........o/k so its not original, o/k so they don't look as "traditional"(am gunna throw up if I use that word again) as crossplies.........SO WHAT.........lol........I drive my cars, not stick 'em in a garage and forget them........but to each his own.....end of sermon......andyd

[55 Fargo]

I have had radials on my 40 Dodge since 1973, I'd forgotten what a "joy" crossplies/bias plies were/are till I bought the 41 Plymouth.......it had 6.00 x 16 Republic whitewalls, dunno how old but they looked quite new, the car was a pain in the butt, wandered all over the road, but the Coker radials made a huge difference........o/k so its not original, o/k so they don't look as "traditional"(am gunna throw up if I use that word again) as crossplies.........SO WHAT.........lol........I drive my cars, not stick 'em in a garage and forget them........but to each his own.....end of sermon......andyd

Amen Brother........

[Edward Roberts]

I have a set of radials they are ok but do not give the look like a 6:00-16" tire. I tried the radials on my old Dodge and it just didn't look right. So I went back to my old standard bias-ply tire and got the looks of a car from the 40's. I do not drive my car very much so when I do I just cruse about 50 or so.

When I purchased my car she was wearing 6.00 x 16 bias ply. I just put on 205/70R16's and am very happy with the look. I think it's pretty close, but then I drive my car every chance I get, so ride quality was more important than appearance. I'm dropping in a couple of photos, but I think I will get her (my wife) to ape the first photo's angle and take out the backgrounds. The radials do look like they fill the wheel wells a little more, but I'm not so sure my eyes are seeing that rather than my brain.

Now I have to convince myself a new radio looks as good as the 6volt that no longer works

Edited May 11, 2010 by Edward Roberts

[BobT-47P15]

I thought you couldn't run portawalls on radial tires?

Robert.......as has been stated, not the best idea, but might be

possible in some cases.

I run tubes in my radials on the Plymouth,

so would be no problem with bead leak.....if I used them. But, for

now I have "real" wide whites. I prefer the more narrow width of

about 2 3/4 or so - like the early to mid 1960s, instead of the very

wide (4") look of the 30s and 40s.

[Young Ed]

Now I have to convince myself a new radio looks as good as the 6volt that no longer works

Plenty of places that will restore your original dash radio or upgrade it to modern 12v etc. www.turnswitch.com did wonders on my dads 69 sport fury radio. They had new speakers for it and were able to bypass the tape deck hookup that kept it from working. BTW if anyone has a tape deck for a 69 mopar.......

[Edward Roberts]

Plenty of places that will restore your original dash radio or upgrade it to modern 12v etc.

I've been looking at those services and like the concept, if not the price. I kept my old Mustang dash stock and put in a Pioneer with remote in the glove box, creating a "hidden" sound system. My grandfather helped me fabricate a rack for it. Nobody could tell or knew about it except for family and a few close friends... and, unfortunately, the two burner-twins down the street. They had a heckuva party that I'm sure my old Pioneer paid for.

[Young Ed]

True they do good work but they know it. But heck even a good pioneer(well I hated my last pioneer but anyway) or another modern stereo is 200-300 bucks

[Edward Roberts]

Excellent point! Sounds like a good present idea... ♪♪"All I want for Christmas is my tu-ube radio to work"♪

[wayfarerstranger]

VINTAGE cars are fun & thrilling because ... well ... they are vintage cars ...... if i want a car modern car ride ... well ... i drive a modern car .. i`m not into sreet rods or resto-rods but a lot of people are , i`m into old cars because .... well ... they are old cars ..... like JOHN WAYNE said RADIALS ARE FOR SISSY`S !!

[Edward Roberts]

..... like JOHN WAYNE said RADIALS ARE FOR SISSY`S !!

"I did everything by the seat of my pants. That's why I got hurt so much."

-Evel Knievel

Could resist

[Andydodge]

Yeh, but wasn't John Wayne's name Marion?........lol.........andyd

[Niel Hoback]

Yes, his name was Marion and he wore high heels.

[wayfarerstranger]

YEA BUT i know he could those high heels some where you wouldn`t enjoy them !!!!!!!!!!!!

[mrspeedyt]

only thing i have against steel radials is if it breaks and throws the belt, it can do a lot of damage. (how do i know???)

[B-Watson]

only thing i have against steel radials is if it breaks and throws the belt, it can do a lot of damage. (how do i know???)

Bias ply tires are also known to fall or blow apart.

Back in 1954 Motor Trend magazine tested a new 1954 Chrysler New Yorker. The tread on the passenger front tire separated and ripped out the fender behind the front wheel well.

Bill

Vancouver, BC

[RobertKB]

I prefer the more narrow width of

about 2 3/4 or so - like the early to mid 1960s, instead of the very

wide (4") look of the 30s and 40s.

Bob, I agree about the whitewall width. I have about 4" whitewalls on my '38 Chrysler but would not want that on my '48 Dodge D25. In fact, I just got some new Coker "Firestones" for the Dodge and they have 2 11/16" whitewalls. Now if I can just get the car back from the painter.

[Frank Elder]

Bob, I agree about the whitewall width. I have about 4" whitewalls on my '38 Chrysler but would not want that on my '48 Dodge D25. In fact, I just got some new Coker "Firestones" for the Dodge and they have 2 11/16" whitewalls. Now if I can just get the car back from the painter.

It's not a hostage is it:D:D:eek:!

[Captain Neon]

In the early '70s, my dad worked in a research lab where they tested bias ply vs. steel-belted radials. Bias plies blew-up consistently at 100 mph. Both do a lot of damage when they go boom. Radials are just less likely to go boom.

[BobT-47P15]

Excellent point! Sounds like a good present idea... ♪♪"All I want for Christmas is my tu-ube radio to work"♪

I think if you want to work on one of these old radios, you need to replace

items that go bad with time....like capacitors and resistors, and stuff like

that. See what the values are on the old ones, then buy new versions

with same values. If the electrical system is good, the tubes should

light up (or not light up), thereby telling you if they are good. Or find

someone with one of the old tube testers. Those things, plus a good

vibrator, may get it going. You can use a newer style two connector

speaker in place of the old electromgnetic type....just remove the old

plug and use two wires.

An expert may disagree, but that's the general gist of it, as I understand

it.

[wallytoo]

bias ply tires have the advantage of being able to be run at very low pressure. i run mine at 4 psi, which gives me outstanding traction on rough gravel roads and rocks. radials provide far more total mileage, and generally provide better road handling characteristics at speed.

bias sidewalls with punctures can also be repaired, safely. radial sidewalls cannot be repaired and legally driven in most states.

[mackster]

I vote for Radials, they handle better and look ok. the bias look better but handle like hell at high speeds...for a daily driver radials is the way to go 9for me)