The Ford Barn

StoolBus · 01-20-2016, 12:05 PM

Hi guys, I did some searching around but I was hoping for advice from someone who has done the switch. I drive my Roadster 500 or so miles a year. Is it worth the extra $$$$ for the Excelsior radial 500R19's? The cost of the universals at $99 each is very attractive. What say you experts?

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prpmmp · 01-20-2016, 12:35 PM

Be prepared to drive more than 500 miles a year!!! Once you see how great it drives with radials you will have a hard time taking short trips!! I switch from bias ply to the american classics radial that looks like a bias ply(avatar)they only come in 15 inch but the Excelsior that come in your size may even be better than the ones I got! You will love them IMHO! Pete

TDO · 01-20-2016, 12:55 PM

I agree with prpmmp

CarlG · 01-20-2016, 12:59 PM

As soon as "my ship comes in" I'm getting a set of Excelsior Radials, 550x19. Gotta get the engine in and running first.

denis4x4 · 01-20-2016, 01:37 PM

I switched from Excelsor bias to radials and it was like getting a new car. The price difference is worth it in my opinion

emf · 01-20-2016, 01:44 PM

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I posted a note here when I switched to radials (600x16) and could not be happier. I also discovered that the camber needs to be set to near zero, so don't forget about that. Best change I made so far...

Frank

StoolBus · 01-24-2016, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emf

I posted a note here when I switched to radials (600x16) and could not be happier. I also discovered that the camber needs to be set to near zero, so don't forget about that. Best change I made so far...

Frank

I didn't realize you could adjust the camber on an "A"..... Looks pretty stationary to me.

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Patrick L. · 01-24-2016, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoolBus

I didn't realize you could adjust the camber on an "A"..... Looks pretty stationary to me.

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It is stationary. Axle needs to be warped.

Henry's Lady's Man · 01-24-2016, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emf

I posted a note here when I switched to radials (600x16) and could not be happier. I also discovered that the camber needs to be set to near zero, so don't forget about that. Best change I made so far...

Frank

I'm thinking you mean the "toe-in" adjustment...

Other question: We're still taking tubes with radials, right? And are there any different"tubes, or just the normal ones?

Chuck

Tom Wesenberg · 01-25-2016, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henry's Lady's Man

I'm thinking you mean the "toe-in" adjustment...

Other question: We're still taking tubes with radials, right? And are there any different"tubes, or just the normal ones?

Chuck

Radial tires need inner tubes made for radials.

StoolBus · 01-25-2016, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Radial tires need inner tubes made for radials.

Both can be found on JEGS in every size we could possibly need.

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StoolBus · 01-20-2016, 01:45 PM

Thanks for the advice! Now I just need to convince the Admiral (wife) that we need tires for that much money. What about balancing BB's?

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Patrick L. · 01-20-2016, 08:11 PM

I'm planning on using the radials. Considering the mileage ratings between tires, I think the radials are a good choice.
One problem I see, I've read that that our wheels need to be widened at least an inch for the radials.

Pat Martone · 01-20-2016, 08:42 PM

I've installed the Excelsior Stahl radials 500R19 on my standard model a wheels about 4 years ago with no problems; a much improved and safer ride now with better handling, steering, and braking (with the larger contact patch). The radials are supposed to last twice as long as bias ply, which helps offset the cost differential.

updraught · 01-21-2016, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat Martone

I've installed the Excelsior Stahl radials 500R19 on my standard model a wheels about 4 years ago with no problems; a much improved and safer ride now with better handling, steering, and braking (with the larger contact patch). The radials are supposed to last twice as long as bias ply, which helps offset the cost differential.

Do you think the 550R19 would fit?

Looking at my 21 inch Firestones there is about 1 inch gap to the front brake rod on the front right and almost none on the left. Don't know if the 21 inch radial 550/600R21 would fit.

inex01 · 01-21-2016, 06:20 AM

Installed my Excelsior Stahl radials on my 31 Slant sedan almost two years ago. The car tracks so well and feels so much more controllable, there is a Hugh difference when driving on grooved pavement the car tracks straight. As of today have over 8000 miles on them and looks like zero wear so the extra cost is well worth the expense "For Me" bottom line they offer more control which equals safety and they will most likely last at least twice as long as bias tires.

JohnLaVoy · 01-21-2016, 08:44 AM

We have put the Excelsior radials on a couple of cars. When looking at the price you have to understand you will get about three times the mileage wear out of the radials over the various bias ply tires offered. Of course my complaint, and I made it to Corky, was not having them available in white walls!

Patrick L. · 01-21-2016, 09:59 AM

Looking thru the website it shows that the radials from 500/19 thru 650/19 require [recommend may be a better term] at least a 4" rim. The larger the tire the wider rim they want.

The exception is the 550/19 which says can use a 3.25- 4.5 inch rim. I think that is a misprint and will have to find out. Why would the 500 need a wider rim than a 550.

These are 44# [max] tires so lowering the pressures to normal or lower pressures might compensate for a narrower rim.

No matter. I'm planning on them even if I need to widen the wheels.

sphanna · 01-21-2016, 10:15 AM

I put 5.50R-19's on my Fordor. The choice was between the 500R-19's. I thought the extra 1 /2 inch width would help with stability on worn and groovy roads. I do not know how these compare with the 500's but I was pleased with what resulted. I had plenty of room for the steering rods and have full steering capability. I also like the fact that the tire diameter was almost perfectly the same diam. as my former Firestone 475-500's. This allowed my speedometer to match correctly. As I remember, the 500R-19's had a different mounted diameter which I did not want to let affect my speedo accuracy. On the 550R tire I think the diameter was less than 1/2 inch larger than the Firestone's. THis actually helped my speedometer error as before my speedo indicated about 2% faster than my gps speed. Now they are much closer.

oldman - NorCal · 02-22-2016, 12:50 PM

How do these radial tires fit into the welled side-mounted fenders? I currently have the 475-500 Firestones and I have to let all the air out of them to remove or replace them from the fender well. Aren't these radial times even wider?

01-20-2016, 12:05 PM	#1
StoolBus Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Bethel, ME Posts: 31	Radial vs. Bias... Hi guys, I did some searching around but I was hoping for advice from someone who has done the switch. I drive my Roadster 500 or so miles a year. Is it worth the extra $$$$ for the Excelsior radial 500R19's? The cost of the universals at $99 each is very attractive. What say you experts? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01-20-2016, 12:35 PM	#2
prpmmp Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: west grove Pa. Posts: 238	Re: Radial vs. Bias... Be prepared to drive more than 500 miles a year!!! Once you see how great it drives with radials you will have a hard time taking short trips!! I switch from bias ply to the american classics radial that looks like a bias ply(avatar)they only come in 15 inch but the Excelsior that come in your size may even be better than the ones I got! You will love them IMHO! Pete

01-20-2016, 12:55 PM	#3
TDO Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Enterprise, WV. Posts: 460	Re: Radial vs. Bias... I agree with prpmmp __________________ I've been doing so much for so long with so little that now I can do almost anything with nothing.

01-20-2016, 12:59 PM	#4
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Radial vs. Bias... As soon as "my ship comes in" I'm getting a set of Excelsior Radials, 550x19. Gotta get the engine in and running first. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

01-20-2016, 01:37 PM	#5
denis4x4 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Durango CO Posts: 1,309	Re: Radial vs. Bias... I switched from Excelsor bias to radials and it was like getting a new car. The price difference is worth it in my opinion __________________ No restorable Model A's were harmed in the building of this truck!

01-20-2016, 01:44 PM	#6
emf Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Hudson, NY Posts: 511	Re: Radial vs. Bias... Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I posted a note here when I switched to radials (600x16) and could not be happier. I also discovered that the camber needs to be set to near zero, so don't forget about that. Best change I made so far... Frank

01-20-2016, 01:45 PM	#12
StoolBus Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Bethel, ME Posts: 31	Re: Radial vs. Bias... Thanks for the advice! Now I just need to convince the Admiral (wife) that we need tires for that much money. What about balancing BB's? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01-20-2016, 08:11 PM	#13
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Radial vs. Bias... I'm planning on using the radials. Considering the mileage ratings between tires, I think the radials are a good choice. One problem I see, I've read that that our wheels need to be widened at least an inch for the radials.

01-20-2016, 08:42 PM	#14
Pat Martone Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 495	Re: Radial vs. Bias... I've installed the Excelsior Stahl radials 500R19 on my standard model a wheels about 4 years ago with no problems; a much improved and safer ride now with better handling, steering, and braking (with the larger contact patch). The radials are supposed to last twice as long as bias ply, which helps offset the cost differential.

01-21-2016, 06:20 AM	#16
inex01 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Rockville, Maryland Posts: 350	Re: Radial vs. Bias... Installed my Excelsior Stahl radials on my 31 Slant sedan almost two years ago. The car tracks so well and feels so much more controllable, there is a Hugh difference when driving on grooved pavement the car tracks straight. As of today have over 8000 miles on them and looks like zero wear so the extra cost is well worth the expense "For Me" bottom line they offer more control which equals safety and they will most likely last at least twice as long as bias tires. __________________ Chuck McDonald, Member of AACA, Model A Club, NRA Last edited by inex01; 01-21-2016 at 07:56 AM.

01-21-2016, 08:44 AM	#17
JohnLaVoy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 779	Re: Radial vs. Bias... We have put the Excelsior radials on a couple of cars. When looking at the price you have to understand you will get about three times the mileage wear out of the radials over the various bias ply tires offered. Of course my complaint, and I made it to Corky, was not having them available in white walls!

01-21-2016, 09:59 AM	#18
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Radial vs. Bias... Looking thru the website it shows that the radials from 500/19 thru 650/19 require [recommend may be a better term] at least a 4" rim. The larger the tire the wider rim they want. The exception is the 550/19 which says can use a 3.25- 4.5 inch rim. I think that is a misprint and will have to find out. Why would the 500 need a wider rim than a 550. These are 44# [max] tires so lowering the pressures to normal or lower pressures might compensate for a narrower rim. No matter. I'm planning on them even if I need to widen the wheels.

01-21-2016, 10:15 AM	#19
sphanna Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Polk City, Iowa Posts: 526	Re: Radial vs. Bias... I put 5.50R-19's on my Fordor. The choice was between the 500R-19's. I thought the extra 1 /2 inch width would help with stability on worn and groovy roads. I do not know how these compare with the 500's but I was pleased with what resulted. I had plenty of room for the steering rods and have full steering capability. I also like the fact that the tire diameter was almost perfectly the same diam. as my former Firestone 475-500's. This allowed my speedometer to match correctly. As I remember, the 500R-19's had a different mounted diameter which I did not want to let affect my speedo accuracy. On the 550R tire I think the diameter was less than 1/2 inch larger than the Firestone's. THis actually helped my speedometer error as before my speedo indicated about 2% faster than my gps speed. Now they are much closer. __________________ Steve Hanna, Polk City, IA

02-22-2016, 12:50 PM	#20
oldman - NorCal Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gold Country Posts: 64	Re: Radial vs. Bias... How do these radial tires fit into the welled side-mounted fenders? I currently have the 475-500 Firestones and I have to let all the air out of them to remove or replace them from the fender well. Aren't these radial times even wider?