How Old Are Your Tires?
 

I was surprised to learn that tire date code before CY2000 are unreliable because it does not reliably identify the year of manufacture. For example, the Code 319 indicates the 31st week of a year before CY2000 ending in a 9, so it could be 1979 or1989 or 1999........

The current DOT 4-digit code in use since CY2000 does indicate the year of a tire's manufacture. Code 2910 indicates the 29th week of CY 2010.

So the question is, "How old are the tires on your Model "A"?

Ford currently recommends replacing tires driven 12,000 to 15,000 miles annually that are 6 years old. However, some tire manufacturers suggest that tires are good for 10 years.

Re: How Old Are Your Tires?
 

Forget the date codes, look at the condition of the tires.

Re: How Old Are Your Tires?
 

Ours are 18 years old. No sign of any issues. Car is kept indoors, NEVER left in the Sun for any length of time.

Sun, mileage, and abuse. I believe will shorten tire life. Enjoy.

Re: How Old Are Your Tires?
 

How old were my tires?... I purchase our 1909 Kissel Kar four years ago and it had tires that were made in 1958. Still held air and the seller insisted that the car was tour ready. The tread looked good but they were too weather checked for me. I kept one only for a spare tire. The Firestone tires on my 1930 AA stake bed I bought them new in 1973. They still look excellent and I will continue to run them until they look questionable.

Re: How Old Are Your Tires?
 

Good point Bob. I remember the Steve Stossel report on 20-20 which referenced seven year life. Some tires being sold that were already up to twelve years old. They don't code tires for curiosity. Even though a tire may "look" good, doesn't mean the cords/belts, etc. are ok internally. After all it's your life that may be affected. Of course Model A speeds are not as potentially lethal as later cars going 70+ MPH.

Ironically, Jeff/Illinois below first paragraph. I'm changing BF Goodrich TA radials on my Mach 1 currently. The good looking tires have a three digit date code making them 1992 at the latest.

Re: How Old Are Your Tires?
 

I replaced a set of BF Goodrich TA radials on the Mach 1 last year that were 25 years old, and had maybe 4,000 miles on them. The car lives in a climate controlled garage.They looked like new, no crazing or checking at all.

My friend that works in a body shop/front end garage changed them out. He said 'Are you sure you want to change these? I think they're fine.' He is an expert on this subject. I said it was cheaper than a blow out at 70 MPH on the Interstate and he finally said 'yes' maybe you have a point. I couldn't trust the belts.

Those tires were made in Ohio, the new ones are from Mexico.

In summary, I guess it's best to be safe. But on a Model A at 40 MPH vs. a Mach 1 Mustang at Interstate speed, I'd probably go more on how the tire looks. The Garfields on the Roadster are at least from the mid-late 70's when the car was restored and they look fine. Nylon tires. I bet they are hard as a rock I do need to change them out one of these day:p

Re: How Old Are Your Tires?
 

It also depends on the manufacturer. I have seen 7 year old Cokers fail and have seen 45-50 year old Sears Allstate tires hold up. I think Garfield made them for Sears and I bought a set of those in 1972 and they look as good as the day I bought them.
So new China or old USA your choice. Guess mayby the tubes are the only thing made in China as of now.

Re: How Old Are Your Tires?
 

I have a SAMSON tire on my Model T!

Re: How Old Are Your Tires?
 

All 5 of mine are from Montgomery Wards “Riverside” line of Model A parts.
I’ve read on here that they were discontinued in 1976.
Mine were bought in the ‘70’s sometime by previous owners Father. He died in late ‘70’s so I can’t pinpoint exact date. I drive on them still but I have a set of 4 New Firestone’s to put on once I’ve painted my wheels Red.

Re: How Old Are Your Tires?
 

Replaced the 'A' tires in the early 80s. Sears had them on sale ! I believe they're made by Garfield but,,,,,
Those things won't wear out. I think they'll outlast me.

Re: How Old Are Your Tires?
 

The ones on my '29 CCPU are about 20 yrs old. They looked good till about a year ago then started cracking. Bought new ones last night for the PU and got my taste of sticker shock. Between tires, tubes, rim liners and shipping, was north of 700.00, and that was for a set of inexpensive ones. I suppose due to low production the prices are high when compared to ones for my F250, Explorer etc. The Firestone I bought for my AA last year were 159 + shipping, which I felt was a fair price.

Re: How Old Are Your Tires?
 

Bias ply tires will outlast radials by quite a bit.

Re: How Old Are Your Tires?
 

Tires are 39 years old.

Re: How Old Are Your Tires?
 

Sears were selling Model A tyres in the 1980s??? :)

Re: How Old Are Your Tires?
 

I still buy old tires on CL and run them............

Re: How Old Are Your Tires?
 

I'm not sure exactly but I do know that there atleast 30 years old, possibly even 50 years old. Four Firestone whitewalls on the ground, and a Goodyear spare.


John

Re: How Old Are Your Tires?
 

Must be a Mach 1 thing :D mine are also at least that old but still "look good"

Re: How Old Are Your Tires?
 

Dunn tire won’t work on any over 10 years old,had a flat on a 71 MGB.Tires have less than 5000 miles on them .Date code was 2008 ,Gary

Re: How Old Are Your Tires?
 

Here’s a riverside for ya! Evidently didn’t like the sitting in the sun that day!

Re: How Old Are Your Tires?
 

Hey Phil nice looking Mach 1, '69's are the best:) I'm prejudiced on '69's because that is what we have! That quad headlight setup they used is pretty unique.

I should have sent that set to you to use! Terry from the front end shop sold them off on the cheap to a guy with a '67 Malibu, he told him the story and to be careful, and the guy took them anyway!