Tire pressure

[51Deluxe]

So what's the correct tire pressure for a '51? The tires are modern radials, 205 75r 15. Maybe 28 lbs?

[Logan]

Original specs is 24 psi if I remember right, but that is bias-ply.  I would assume you would want more in a radial.

[joefrazer]

I had radials on my 53 and 28 lbs seemed to give the best ride while maintaining acceptable steering effort.

[retired wrench]

Look on the tires.

[Terry T]

nothing replaces reading the directions!

[51Deluxe]

On modern cars, door jam tire pressure recommendation always trumps what is on the sidewall, so I was wondering what K-F recommended

[checker]

I had radials before on my 51, they would give me a good ride at around 30 psi.

I now have bias ply which I first inflated like the radials to find a harsh and unconfortable ride. Checked Kaiser book which recommands 24 to 27 depending on load, I keep'm at 25 and it's OK.

I never rode on Bias before (I'm not of that era) and now know why we're all riding radials !!! Much better road handling.
I only drive the car locally so I'm stickin to authencity with the bias but kept the radials not to far away as spares !!!!

So for me, 30 was good enough (not 35 like newer cars) with radials and had to decrease to 25 with bias, thought I'd share this.

I'm going to one of the last local show in my area today, forecast is for cloudy skies and 55F , perfect for those cars !!!! 

[porsche1914]

For what it is worth, I have a '51 Henry J, slightly modified,it is dropped 2" in front 3" in the rear.we run on 915 60 15 radials, on 0 offset Ford rims. We run 25lbs. In front and 22lbs. rear.
We have made 3 trips to Port Clinton from the Chigago area and many local area shows including the Newport Hill Climb.
We have no overdrive so we rarely run it 55mph,it has always ridden fairly well and drives fine on the highway, it also gives it a good looking stance.
It is otherwise bone stock and we are very happy with it, I will post pictures of it when we figure out how to.
Don Holt#1913

[porsche1914]

Sorry, 215 60 r15s in former post.

[mbflemingkf]

I run 32 all around on my bias ply.  That's what it says on the side of the tires.

[BigDave LM6174]

I run 32 pounds on the Radials on my 51 Kaiser.  Handles well.

[Corsairdeluxe]

I have 215 r 15s on mine. I can barely turn the wheel when it is sitting still. really really high effort.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

Kaiser-Frazer never had radials so why are you looking for a factory specification?  Contact your tire brand's customer service department to ask for application data.  They should be able to give you nominal specifications.

[rialto]

The PSI figure on the side of the tire is the maximum pressure the tire can take cold. Along with it is shown the maximum weight that one of these tires can carry at that pressure. Tire manufacturers have charts showing the weight a given tire can carry at different pressures. I don't know where to find these charts but I have seen them.

[Logan]

Good point, Rialto.  Don't just assume that you should put the tire at the max pressure, as there are many factors that will affect what that pressure should be.