The Ford Barn

paulizor · 03-08-2015, 01:22 PM

I'm looking far and wide for 4 new Firestone 475/500x19 whitewalls. Are these some kind of Fair Trade item? Everybody is $197 and no discounts allowed for clubs, etc. Really? Even if I buy 4, new tubes & liners. Suggestion?

Tom Wesenberg · 03-08-2015, 03:00 PM

Tire prices have really gone nuts the past few years. I don't know why they cost so much now, but I haven't seen any cheap ones either. For my newer cars I have had good luck on craigslist, but for Model A's your only hope is to find someone rodding a good Model A that is selling the parts.

BTW, I was told the other day that tires are now being made to break down faster in landfills. I wonder if that explains the number of flats and blowouts my trailers have had lately?

msmaron · 03-08-2015, 03:11 PM

I use universal tires from Cocker..they are 90.00 and have lasted me 18,000 miles. Well worth the money....

ModelAMike1930 · 03-08-2015, 03:34 PM

Try Summit Racing they had some good buys on tires with free shipping..I found them on their ebay store.

Jeff/Illinois · 03-08-2015, 04:36 PM

[QUOTE=Tom Wesenberg;1046885]Tire prices have really gone nuts the past few years. I don't know why they cost so much now, but I haven't seen any cheap ones either. F/QUOTE]

Read some time ago I believe in Motor Trend, that prices spiked after the Gov-mint banned Chinese tire imports at the behest of the U.S. Tire Assoc. After that they really went up. But, if their tires were as bad as their valve stems used to be I'd be nervous riding around on them anyway

Mitch//pa · 03-08-2015, 04:53 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

If you have a shop to put it through Kelsey tire gives a good discount on goodyears

Bob Bidonde · 03-09-2015, 08:08 AM

Ditto re the Universal tires. They are inexpensive and they last for about 20,000 to 30,000 miles. I run mine at 27 to 30 psig for a smoother ride. The tread is a vintage pattern much like the original tires of the Model A. The Universal tires also fit properly in welled-fenders.

Be sure to check the date code on each tire before buying them.

On many our Model As, the tires dry out and crack before wearing out the tread.

P.S. · 03-09-2015, 09:07 AM

Don't the Universal tires get flat spots from sitting for short periods (like a couple weeks)???

JD Miller · 03-09-2015, 01:46 PM

I have a set of Universal tires. They have around 15,000 miles. Don't show much wear. They have nylon cord, so after setting they will flat spot. A mile or two on the road and the flat spot goes away. Flat spot is worse in cold weather. For less than $100.00 each I'm wll please with these tires.

msmaron · 03-09-2015, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.S.

Don't the Universal tires get flat spots from sitting for short periods (like a couple weeks)???

Sorry That is FALSE.. Mine and everyone in the chicago area lets them sit for months in the winter...we never had any problems at all with them,. Reliable, strong and good for 20K hands down and for 90.00 you can't go wrong...

eagle · 03-09-2015, 07:57 PM

I've got the Universal from Coker. I haven't had any issues with flat spots. Keep mine aired up hard, 48 pounds.

03-08-2015, 01:22 PM	#1
paulizor Junior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Mount Hermon, California Posts: 13	Time for new tires I'm looking far and wide for 4 new Firestone 475/500x19 whitewalls. Are these some kind of Fair Trade item? Everybody is $197 and no discounts allowed for clubs, etc. Really? Even if I buy 4, new tubes & liners. Suggestion?

03-08-2015, 03:00 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Time for new tires Tire prices have really gone nuts the past few years. I don't know why they cost so much now, but I haven't seen any cheap ones either. For my newer cars I have had good luck on craigslist, but for Model A's your only hope is to find someone rodding a good Model A that is selling the parts. BTW, I was told the other day that tires are now being made to break down faster in landfills. I wonder if that explains the number of flats and blowouts my trailers have had lately?

03-08-2015, 03:11 PM	#3
msmaron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 3,600	Re: Time for new tires I use universal tires from Cocker..they are 90.00 and have lasted me 18,000 miles. Well worth the money.... __________________ Mark Maron Ill., Region MARC & MAFCA MARC JSC Member MAFFI Trustee National Facebook Admin. https://www.facebook.com/groups/MARC.group/ A7191-Sport Coupe 29 Roadster 29-Town Sedan 29-Original Special Coupe

03-08-2015, 03:34 PM	#4
ModelAMike1930 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Illinois Posts: 382	Re: Time for new tires Try Summit Racing they had some good buys on tires with free shipping..I found them on their ebay store.

03-08-2015, 04:36 PM	#5
Jeff/Illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,789	Re: Time for new tires [QUOTE=Tom Wesenberg;1046885]Tire prices have really gone nuts the past few years. I don't know why they cost so much now, but I haven't seen any cheap ones either. F/QUOTE] Read some time ago I believe in Motor Trend, that prices spiked after the Gov-mint banned Chinese tire imports at the behest of the U.S. Tire Assoc. After that they really went up. But, if their tires were as bad as their valve stems used to be I'd be nervous riding around on them anyway

03-08-2015, 04:53 PM	#6
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Time for new tires Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If you have a shop to put it through Kelsey tire gives a good discount on goodyears

03-09-2015, 08:08 AM	#7
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,472	Re: Time for new tires Ditto re the Universal tires. They are inexpensive and they last for about 20,000 to 30,000 miles. I run mine at 27 to 30 psig for a smoother ride. The tread is a vintage pattern much like the original tires of the Model A. The Universal tires also fit properly in welled-fenders. Be sure to check the date code on each tire before buying them. On many our Model As, the tires dry out and crack before wearing out the tread. __________________ Bob Bidonde

03-09-2015, 09:07 AM	#8
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Posts: 1,698	Re: Time for new tires Don't the Universal tires get flat spots from sitting for short periods (like a couple weeks)???

03-09-2015, 01:46 PM	#9
JD Miller Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorktown, VA Posts: 139	Re: Time for new tires I have a set of Universal tires. They have around 15,000 miles. Don't show much wear. They have nylon cord, so after setting they will flat spot. A mile or two on the road and the flat spot goes away. Flat spot is worse in cold weather. For less than $100.00 each I'm wll please with these tires.

03-09-2015, 07:57 PM	#11
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Time for new tires I've got the Universal from Coker. I haven't had any issues with flat spots. Keep mine aired up hard, 48 pounds.