Tires

[JoeKeys2010]

I need to replace the tires on my 1949 Kaiser.  It currently has trailer tiers on it.  I have a shop manual that suggests 7.10 X 15 and which I think is similar in size to a 215 75 r15.  Does anyone have a suggestion on radial vs bias ply tires, white wall vs black wall?  I would like the car to ride well and handle as good as possible so if radial preform better I would rather go with them even though they were not original equipment. 

[retired wrench]

   A radial is better in every way.

[Gordie]

Radial tires on my '65 Mustang really make it handle poorly and after a few years my expensive Michelins lost their tread and did extensive damage to my fender.  Radials are good on newer cars and daily drivers but I will never again put them on a collector car that doesn't get driven much.  Proper bias ply tires with correct wide whitewalls are readily available for our cars and you never have to worry as to when the tread is going to come off at speed.

[joefrazer]

I had radials on my 54 Willys Aero and it handled very poorly. Steering the car required alot more effort and the ride wasn't much better than with bias ply tires. I sold the car to a friend and the first thing he did was to swap to bias ply tires. I drove the car and the difference was amazing.

If you do go with radials, you might want to use a 205/75x15 tire. 215's may rub the rear inner fenders.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

If you go to radials you will need to talk to someone who already did the switch successfully.  Steering and suspension need significant readjustment because of the different characteristics between radials and the older bias ply types.

[84RabbitGTI]

My random thoughts on this topic:
My experience with radials from Coker Tire has been entirely positive.  The car doesn't track every grove and crack in the road, and they ride just fine.  I also had the car aligned at the same time which you should do what ever tires you end up getting.
New bias-ply tires probably work just fine also.  I've never had new ones, I've only driven on old ones, and even old radials don't drive very well, in my experience. 
As far as whitewall versus blackwall, that comes down to esthetics.  What do YOU like?  They both were available for cars back when our cars were new, so you can use either one, if you want to keep it all original.
I prefer the driving characteristics of Radials myself, and I have to DRIVE my car where ever I take it, and I take it on many trips.  If you trailer it, then it doesn't matter.
Bias-ply's are cheaper and more original, too.
Hope this helps!

[BigDave LM6174]

I had bias ply on my 51 Kaiser since I restored it in 1989.  Never had single issue with the bias ply.  I was concerned about surface rust on 1 of the wheels.  In 2009 I replaced the bias ply after 20 years.  Car is usually used just  around town.  In 2009 I bought 4 new rims from the Wheelsmith in Santa Ana, CA.  I have 4 WW radial tires now.  Car is very nice to drive and does not catch every crack in the road. 
The Henry J we just finished has 4 new bias ply that it had when we bought car.  They catch every crack in the road.
Big cars I recommend Coker wide White radials, Henry J I think I would stay with bias ply.
Here is my 51 with Radials.

[JoeKeys2010]

When you say "finds every crack in the road" what exactly do you mean. I have really bad trailer tires on mine and as you may expect the ride is not as good as it should be. However the car dives good and handles ok but is no good at speeds over 40 and it will jerk around a bit if I hit a spot in the road. Any tire would improve but it sounds like bias tires are the way to go. My rims are in good shape and once I get them off ill blast and paint them.

[Terry T]

I changed out my bias to radials on my Henry J and enjoy the R&H (ride and handling).
I drove on bias for 3 years then changed before I drove to LA on Route 66.
I opted for Diamonback radials after looking online about complaints on Coker radials of smaller sizes.

[BigDave LM6174]

When I say catching every crack on the road, I find that you really need to hold the steering wheel.  The tires tend to track on road grooves and cracks in the road.  Think you are experiencing the same thing with the tires you have now.  You will not have that with radial tires.

[JoeKeys2010]

I understand and agree about catching cracks. I think I am after a set of white walls and understand they come i either construction. I have a 64 Ford with radials on it and it drives and handles like a dream although the steering is not as smooth as the Kaiser. The Ford has a 427 so it does have weight. If the Kaiser handled as good as the Ford does with radial tires I would be satisfied. Anything would be an improvement over what I have. Will there be any issues with the valve stem size if I go to radials?

[BigDave LM6174]

Stems come in different lengths, just make sure they good with the hubcaps or get valve extenders

[JoeKeys2010]

If I go with bias ply the correct size would be 7.10 x 15?  And Goodyear if I want to stay original?  If radial 215 75 15?

[JoeKeys2010]

Ok so I've decided to do with a bias ply tire. I'm going to install a Goodyear 7.10 x 15. From what I can tell that is what would have come one the car when new. Correct?

[dusty]

JOEKEYS2010, I AM RUNNING 235-R15 75s on my 54 Manhattan and on my 53 Dragon with wide w/w but am using 1980,s Ford wheels. no fender rubbing and tracks well at 70mph its the most comfortable ride I have ever had on a long trip and NO fighting the ridges/ grooves in the road from heavy trucks.