Coker Original Size Tires with Tubes

[mike42]

I bought a set of Coker radials a couple years ago and have been using tubes.

Sunday morning the rear was flat. I took it off and see nothing protruding from the tire that would cause the flat.

I read here a couple years ago that there are some type of Valve Stem Protectors that keep the tube from moving and pinching which causes air leaks.

I don't know at this point if that is the cause, as the tire store will not open for an hour.

Lastly.....could I use tubeless with the "original" rims with those 6:00 radials ?

Thx....Mike

[JM 35 Sedan]

Those stem protectors will only protect that area of the tube around the stem. You probably already know this, but thought I would mention anyway, when using tubes in radial tires, the tubes must be the type that are rated for use with radials. Other type tubes will not hold up because the internal movement causes chaffing and eventually failure of the tube. Some here will tell you it's OK to run tubeless on these early rims, but I have always used properly rated tubes and those little plastic stem protectors for thousands of miles on both Coker and Diamondback radials on original '35 wire wheels.

[mike42]

Thx John

[carguybill]

We experienced a problem with Coker tires with our '55-57 Thunderbird's that may or may not still be a problem. We found that Coker put a label or tag on the inside of the tire and that chafed the tube and caused leaks. you might have a look inside the tire if your problem persists to see if there is a tag and, if so, remove it.

[mike42]

Thx bill. Will do.

[flatheadv8]

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Where can one buy the stem protectors? Thx

[my4dv8]

We had the exact same problem carguybill refers to , aluminium stickers inside the tyre cut the tube, though ours cut in the first month.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by flatheadv8

Where can one buy the stem protectors? Thx

I asked this same question over on the Model A site a couple of weeks ago. Here's the answer I got:

Are you talking about these? I carry about 30 of these in my parts drawer for projects.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/20-Tire-Inne...#ht_883wt_1160

I subsequently bought some and they work great on my existing tubes. The new radial tubes I got to go with my radial tires from Coker have much larger stems, both in girth and length, so they are not needed there.

[JM 35 Sedan]

I bought heavy duty tubes rated for radials at a local farm equipment, Ag supply store near where I live. They were 1/2 the price that Coker was asking at that time, plus no shipping cost. They also carried the little plastic stem protectors as well.

[mike42]

35 Sedan.........are the tubes 6:00 x 16's ? My tire store is looking around some in Michigan.

Thx....Mike

[JM 35 Sedan]

The tubes I bought were rated for a range of equivalent sizes, like 5.50 - 6.00 X 16 or 6.00 - 6.50 X 16. I can't recall exact details since this was 10-12 years ago, but I am sure at that time I got the size that was recommended for my tire size. I have put almost 30k miles on my car since 2007 and at least half of those miles are on the Coker www radial tires and the other half is on the Diamondback blackwall radials. Never had problems with either set of tires on the 35 fordor, and just got home last night from another ~ 2600 mile road trip in the '35 riding on those Coker tires.

[mike42]

35.....Can't find any in Michigan. What was the name of store you got them from ?

Thx

[mike42]

I went ahead and bought the Coker Tubes yesterday. I'll have them Thursday. Could not find any others in Michigan.

[swanwaco32]

Some of there tubes are junk!! Had the same problem with the stickers!!! Try to get Michelin tubes. Much better quality..!!!!!

[josh1331]

Where and how to identify tubes for radials. Is there a place to buy ? Identification mark or something? John

[CarlG]

The tubes I got from Coker had "Radial" molded into the stem. Just mounted them last night. Seemed to be good quality heavy duty tubes. They did say "Made in EEC". The tires were labeled "Made in USA"

[mike42]

I'm waiting for the Coker tubes from ups right now. I'm told they are heavy duty. They stem hole is either 3/8" or 5/8". Mine is 5/8, so we'll see.

[josh1331]

So the consensus of opinion is tubes are necessary when going to radials for original 600-16 size?

[mike42]

Josh it seems so. I got mine, but have been out of town. Will have installed next week and we'll see. I bought Coker tubes as noted above.

[jake197000]

iv e found blemishes inside my cokers that I was able to buff off with a tire buffer that could cause a tube problem other than that I like the tires.they need higher preasure though.