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-   -   550x19 coker radials (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=240647)

loubob 03-11-2018 02:23 PM

550x19 coker radials
 

Is it necessary to do a camber and toe-in check after the radial install??


Thanks,
Loubob

Chuck Sea/Tac 03-11-2018 02:52 PM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

If your camber and toe in were correct to start, I don’t know why it would be necessary.
However, I’m not an expert.

SSsssteamer 03-11-2018 03:53 PM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

Toe in change is necessary going from bias ply to radial tires. Radial tires take Zero toe in.

Synchro909 03-11-2018 04:59 PM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

Loubob, I'd love to hear what you think of those radials once you drive the car with them fitted.

john in illinois 03-11-2018 05:54 PM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSsssteamer (Post 1603857)
Toe in change is necessary going from bias ply to radial tires. Radial tires take Zero toe in.

What is the source for that information. Never heard of it.

John

emf 03-11-2018 06:10 PM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

I could be mistaken, but when I put radials on my roadster, the front end shop said that camber should be set to zero, not the toe-in. On performance, 100% better than bias ply tires.

Frank

loubob 03-11-2018 06:34 PM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

First, thanks to all that replied.
I read in a previous FB radial tire topic where one of the responders said the camber has to be checked.
I purchased my car in 2013. It sat in an enclosed trailer, in a pole barn for 21-22 years. The tires held air and were almost new. I checked with 3-4 people who knew tires. They said if no sidewall cracks use them. I have had NO problem but am just concerned from a safety issue.
Hope to have the tires/tubes,etc. on by end of April.
I'll have to find someone who can check the camber, If it needs to be adjusted.
Syncro: I will be glad to let you know about the tires.
I would also feel much safer with new tires. Wife, and I, do 100+ mile weekend trips and feel the radials will smooth out the ride.
I will post results in May.
Thanks again.


Loubob

emf 03-12-2018 06:38 AM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

The first weekend in May is the Rhinebeck swap meet. Universal will have a truckload of tires there. If you call ahead, they will make sure they have the tires you need with them. Then you can 'kick the tires' before you buy them. Great guys...

Frank

Oakhurst 03-12-2018 12:21 PM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

When I put radials on my 53 (Olds) we aligned to original specs. It seemed to be fine to me, but was told later that radial alignment specs would be different than bias ply.

CarlG 03-12-2018 12:38 PM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

I have been running the Coker 550R19 Radials for several years. And like others have said, 100% better ride and steering, especially on the rutted highways we have here.

loubob 03-12-2018 01:01 PM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

Carl: Did you have to adjust your camber??

loubob 03-12-2018 02:46 PM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

EMF: Just checked. Coker has "free" shipping on Excelsior tires thru 3/31. I'll get them from Coker as I need new tubes,etc.

emf 03-12-2018 02:59 PM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

go for it...

CarlG 03-12-2018 04:20 PM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by loubob (Post 1604193)
Carl: Did you have to adjust your camber??

No I did not.

loubob 03-12-2018 05:50 PM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

Thanks Carl.

daveymc29 03-12-2018 11:18 PM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

I went to the Rhinebeck swap meet a few years back. I was staying in the Carriage House for the Shyler Mansion, where Hamilton and Burr had the argument that ended with Hamilton dead and Burr looked down upon. Anyway, went at about 5:45 to be with the first to show up. Some guy from Pennsylvania and I walked around just a bit listening to the vendors snoring away and I knew I wasn't at a California meet. Here at that time I'd be parking two miles away and waiting an hour in line to get into the bigger meets. Came back about 9:00 and had a great time, by then a few of the booths were open and the people getting friendly. Fun day but I was 3,000 miles from home so all I bought was stuff I could carry in my pockets. Went back later in the day and the bride had me walk back about a mile as she had visions of driving a Mustang Convertible home. She had missed a zero in the asking price, so she rode home with me. Fun time though, I like going to these meets and talking with the people.

1931 flamingo 03-13-2018 09:19 AM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

Rhinebeck is a great show. I get there early on Saturday and sit on the runningboard of the firetruck parked near where the cars come onto the field, saves time walking as I use a cane.
Paul in CT

jhowes 03-13-2018 10:06 AM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

I may have posted this before but, I put radials on my 65 corvair when I bought it new. I had to have it aligned to zero toe in as the radials do not have the slip angle that biased tires do. Before I realigned it, it would wander right and left as I went down the road. I was told that the reason was that when you go over a bump or the car sways one way or the other that the increased weight on the lower side causes that wheel to take command and the car follows that direction. Seconds later the opposite front tire takes command and you go in the opposite direction. I tried 70 or 80 pounds pressure in the tires and it did help some but that was a bandaid fix. Having zero toe in eliminates that problem. Just my experience. Jack

oldforder 03-13-2018 10:29 AM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

Back in the day, long ago, when cars had either bias or radial tires, I always set the alignment to the book specs and seemed to not have any complaints. As I had many compliments of people saying they had alignments done at the dealer, and mine was much better. But then that is just my personal experience.

steve s 03-13-2018 10:37 AM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldforder (Post 1604545)
Back in the day, long ago, when cars had either bias or radial tires, I always set the alignment to the book specs and seemed to not have any complaints. As I had many compliments of people saying they had alignments done at the dealer, and mine was much better. But then that is just my personal experience.

I don't understand. Why wouldn't dealers use "book specs"? Any dealers I've ever dealt with were strictly by-the-book types.

Synchro909 03-13-2018 04:43 PM

Re: 550x19 coker radials
 

Any front end specialists I have seen over here say that there is a built in bias on the Model A for the camber on the right side of the road. How they do that, I don't know.
We drive on the left so they rearrange things to get it to steer straight. "By the book" doesn't work well.


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