Tires: pull them or cut them

[psimet]

Looking for a little guidance: need to start refinishing my wheels but they all have tires from the 60’s 70’s on them. They are pretty hard with no give.

Worth it to take somewhere with a tire machine to remove them or just cut them off? I’ve got 7.

I’ve only briefly tried to pull them with tire levers. They are all popped off the shoulder of the rim and I’m pushing the opposite side of the bead into the rim channel but still no give or flex under body weight.

[fordcragar]

You might weigh the cost of having them removed verses taking the time to cut them off, hopefully avoiding any damage to the rims.

[ronn]

I brought home a 1907 model R and the tires were petrified.


I cut them with a sawzall, making sure I put something between the outter bead I was cutting and the rim. pretty quick job of it.


Im sure if I took them somewhere, they would have wtd an arm and a leg.
carborundum blade works best.

[arnhemmer]

Sawzall and bolt cutters to cut the bead.

[redmodelt]

Depends on how good the tubes still are! If they are not too old and hold air, I would work the tires off.

[psimet]

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Originally Posted by redmodelt

Depends on how good the tubes still are! If they are not too old and hold air, I would work the tires off.

I inherited the car in the mid 90's and haven't touched them. Last time I know of the car being worked on and driver is the early 80's. So the tubes are about as old as me.

I own a bike shop and work with old tubes nearly daily and I have no desire to save these...but I can probably also cut the bead without damaging the tubes... so I might try and save some.

[fordcragar]

How big are the tire irons that you were using? After rereading your description of your process, with a good size iron iron it shouldn’t be a problem, don’t be shy with a longer tire iron you should have the leverage to pop them off

[psimet]

Originally Posted by fordcragar

How big are the tire irons that you were using? After rereading your description of your process, with a good size iron iron it shouldn’t be a problem, don’t be shy with a longer tire iron you should have the leverage to pop them off

I was just using 2 of the "correct" ones for the car ('28). One I bought as I knew I would need it eventually and the other is the original I found in the car when I went looking.

They are super short. I was going to look around for a longer tire lever (I may even have one somewhere) but I thought I would check in here first and see if there was any reason to even bother. Will be a lot of work for something I am not saving and has no value.

[old31]

I wouldn't think of using the same tubes. Why take a chance.

Last week I had 4 old tires taken off the rims, new tires installed and balanced for $20.00 per tire. Not a scratch to the paint.

In the past I always did my own tires using 3 HF tire irons and did the balance with a HF bubble balancer.

I have to say, it was a pleasure to just pick up the finished product. My back and hands are still thanking me.

[Chris in WNC]

Originally Posted by old31

I wouldn't think of using the same tubes. Why take a chance.

Last week I had 4 old tires taken off the rims, new tires installed and balanced for $20.00 per tire.

Balancing is not money well spent.
I have driven 50-60,000 miles in Model As without ever having tires balanced.

Older tubes, if the rubber is still supple and not cracked are better than today's Chinese tubes....

j.m.h.o.

[brokenspoke]

Let the air out and move the car a few feet to break the bead

[psimet]

Originally Posted by brokenspoke

Let the air out and move the car a few feet to break the bead

All of the beads are broken. The tires are rock hard. The newest ones are about 50 years old.

[ronn]

my tires were literally petrified. from pre ww2.

[mass A man]

I use a couple of old leaf spring leaves that I ground & polished the ends SMOOTH. They work so nicely, even breaking the "petrified" tires on some past wheels.

[katy]

Originally Posted by mass A man

I use a couple of old leaf spring leaves

Ditto

[lrf]

This may sound a little crazy but if any of these tires are "original" Firestone or Goodyear,
try to save one complete. If you do cut them off, cut and save a section with the tire's tread, brand name and especially the company emblem (the flag of Goodyear, the shielded F of Firestone). These would make great framed wall decor in your bike shop and you're saving past automobile history. IMO.

[psimet]

Originally Posted by lrf

This may sound a little crazy but if any of these tires are "original" Firestone or Goodyear,
try to save one complete. If you do cut them off, cut and save a section with the tire's tread, brand name and especially the company emblem (the flag of Goodyear, the shielded F of Firestone). These would make great framed wall decor in your bike shop and you're saving past automobile history. IMO.

Good point. Thank you. Quick check of the two I have at my shop are Allstate and Montgomery Ward branded. I believe they are all similar with one being "Sears" IIRC. So no I don't think I have a single one that is an old original or period one. These should all be 60's and 70's tires.

[old31]

Chris, I balance my tires because I find it better for speeds over 45.

I drive at 60-65MPH on the highways and the balancing seems to smooth it out a little.

But, that could be just me and my rims.

[fordcragar]

I have a tire iron that is about 24" long; which gives you more leverage to dismount a tire. I like the idea of using an old spring leaf, ground and polished on the ends. I might even put a slight hook or turn in the end to help keep the iron from slipping out.

[CT Jack]

I would also spray some liquid soap on the bead and rim. It helps to reduce friction.