Tires on 16 Inch Wheels

[Bill Lee/Virginia]

I am looking at putting 16 inch wheels on my Cabriolet. I would like to get as close to the height of the 19 inch tires without the look of a big fat tire. What size are you running on your 16 inch wheels and do you have any photos to post? Thanks in advance.
Bill Lee/Virginia Peninsula

[1931 flamingo]

No photos,but some here and on the EV8 forum have recommended 215/70 R16's.
Paul in CT

[john in illinois]

I have Coker Classic Radial 16" on 35 wire wheels. 600's on the front,650's rear. The 650 is very close to the 19'' model A tire diameter. The 215/70 R16's will lower the ratio and raise the rpms.

Firestone Destination 215/70 16 are 27.9" diameter. 19" Model A tires are around 29.7" diameter.

RPM=MPH x RATIO x 336 / TIRE DIAMETER

[mrtexas]

Originally Posted by john in illinois

I have Coker Classic Radial 16" on 35 wire wheels. 600's on the front,650's rear. The 650 is very close to the 19'' model A tire diameter. The 215/70 R16's will lower the ratio and raise the rpms.

Firestone Destination 215/70 16 are 27.9" diameter. 19" Model A tires are around 29.7" diameter.

RPM=MPH x RATIO x 336 / TIRE DIAMETER

tire diamters from Coker website:
19 29.8
21 30.75
600R16 28.4
700R16 30.2

I run 215/70 16 on the front where diameter doesn't matter @ $100/tire from Sam's
and 700R16 on the rear where diameter does matter @ $250/tire from Coker
I like the big/little look as well

[mickeyb]

these are real close to 21s

[pick]

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I like "the look" + the improved ride & handling of the 16" wheels. I did a lot of checking/shopping before buying my tires. The 70 series are not tall enough. Some of the options are too wide. And, there ARE differences bewteen manufacturers.I'm running Hankook 215 75R 16" and they're within microns of being a direct replacement for the 19" my '31 is "supposed" to run.

[JtownJoe]

Do the 16" later 30's wheels just bolt right on or are there modifacations needed?

[James Rogers]

Originally Posted by JtownJoe

Do the 16" later 30's wheels just bolt right on or are there modifacations needed?

35 16" wheels are a direct fit with no modifications.

[Ross/Kzoo]

I run 600-16 on my 35 Ford wheels. Looks "right" to me and others.

[Aerocraft]

Years ago, High Schoolers (including me), thought it was really cool to run 6:00 x 16 tires on '35 Ford wires. Still looks good to me. Gar Williams

[Bruce Newbery]

I just put Bridgestone Ecopia EP-02 195/80R 16 priced at $135.00 each. They are overall dia 28.2'' in. The side walls are very flexable and they are for the Rav4 electric car. This is the best thing I have ever done. The ride is so smooth and they have a low rolling resistance. The radial is the only way to get a good ride.

[Geo. H]

Maybe not the ONLY way. I use clean lubed springs and BF Goodrich 6.50 X 16 for a good ride and correct rolling radius.

[sturgis 39]

I have had 16" radial and bias tires on my model "A". I did not like the looks of the radial tires. I bought Firestone bias tires from Coker. I like the handling of the bias tires better and they look better. The model "A" is not tuned for radial tires and radial tires put different stresses on the wheels. When radials where first introduced, people installed them on cars that were not designed for radials. The result was wheels cracking. A few years ago on the Early Ford v8 site radials were a big no no on old Fords because of safety concerns.

[jerry shook]

I put 215-65-r16 on the front and 215-70-r16 on back of my 31 s/w. They are cooper tires,they look and ride great i have had several people say they made my car .i would have put 215-75 r16 on the back but cooper dont make one that would have matched the front. If you have a good tight front end the radial drive and ride better then the bias ply .

[Bill Lee/Virginia]

Do I need tubes with radial tires? Do I need tubes with modern bias tires? If so, waht type and what size should I purchase for 1935 spoked 16 inch rims? Thanks in advance for your info and advice.
Bill Lee/Virginia Peninsula

[dfish2931nc]

If you have good wheels. You can go tubeless.

[sturgis 39]

Originally Posted by Bill Lee/Virginia

Do I need tubes with radial tires? Do I need tubes with modern bias tires? If so, waht type and what size should I purchase for 1935 spoked 16 inch rims? Thanks in advance for your info and advice.
Bill Lee/Virginia Peninsula

I am glad you thanked me in advance for giving you the correct answer.Now I will not have to check the thread for a thank you. Coker tire sells tubes and they will tell you the part number. I run tubes in all of the old Ford wheels. I think it is safer and I am not sure the wheels were designed to hold air.

You are welcome.

[Bill Lee/Virginia]

Many thanks to each and everyone of you who gave me input and advice of changing the tires and looks of my Cabriolet. I put 16 inch 215/70R16 blackwall Dunlop radial tires on my Cabriolet after using 19 inch whitewall tires since 1992. The 16 inch wheels/tires lowered my car at least 2 inches and it looks more like a hotrod than a Model "A". I experimented with tire pressures from 32 to 40 psi and ended up with 35 psi in the rear and 32 psi in the front for the best ride. The car steers very hard at stops and slow turns. It steers good at 45 mph. I will put the shortened pitman arm on the car when the suppliers get them in stock. I am not sure I like the "low hotrod look" of my car vs the taller 19 inch whitewalls but I am going to use it this summer and see if I change my mind.
Bill Lee/Virginia Peninsula

[Peter J]

You'll need tubes if they are not tubeless rims. Even "modern" spoke wheels are rated either tube type or tubeless. They leak where the spokes are attached to the rim if you run tubeless.

[Kirby1374]

Originally Posted by Peter J

You'll need tubes if they are not tubeless rims. Even "modern" spoke wheels are rated either tube type or tubeless. They leak where the spokes are attached to the rim if you run tubeless.

The Ford wheels are smooth inside. I think the Kelsey Hayes wheels have the spokes visible inside the rims.