Tires for 1947 Frazer Manhattan

[carbuff1941]

As I look to the future when this car will actually run I will need tires.  Can the existing rims be used with tubeless tires and what size should I consider?  Since this car will be a daily driver and not a show car I'm not interested in spending money for original looking tires.  I have heard radials are the way to go.  Of course, before tires, the brakes and cylinders need to be address.  What have I gotten myself into!

[joefrazer]

Ah, the Pandora's box of radial vs bias ply tires. Technically, KF rims were not of the sealed variety until at least 1951 which means rims prior to that should use tubes. I have tubeless bias ply tires on my 47k and 50K and have never had an issue with leaks.

My 53K had radials on it and I had no issues with handling or roadability, although I'm sure there will be those who say otherwise.

You will hear from many who say you should never mount radials on rims intended for bias ply tires due to how they flex. I have never experienced an issue and do not know anyone who has.

For sizing, your car originally had 7.10x15 bias ply tires which would translate to 215/75R15 as a radial.

[51Deluxe]

My 51 has new radials. The big advantages of these tires are twofold: 1)better  handling and 2) puncture resistance . With two steel belts, they will not have the frequent flats that bias plys often did. The downside is, with no power steering as most K-F products lack,  all that rubber on the road makes steering fairly hard, especially when barely moving. You get used to it quickly though and after that it's not an issue.

[JoeKeys2010]

I put bias ply on my 49 kaiser. Sice I've not driven one with radials I can't say which is better. I like my bias ply, I rund at 60 mph without issue.

[carbuff1941]

Thank you for the info gentlemen.  In all instances, does everyone use their original rims (like on the 1947 & 1948 Kaisers and Frazers) with radials or did you purchase different rims.  What other rims fit a 1947 Frazer if need be for radials?

[joefrazer]

Dodge and Plymouth wheels from the same era will work. All used wheels made by Motor Wheel and all have the extra guide pin hole in the rim. Ford used a similar appearing wheel but the hib hole is larger so they will not work.

I've never subbed in newer wheels in my cars...I've always used the originals.

[carbuff1941]

Again, thanks for the info.  One other question regarding tires and rims; are all wheel lug nuts right hand threads or are the driver's side left hand threads?  Can't find this answer in any of the materials I have.

[54manhattan13]

All lug nuts on all Kaiser Frazer cars are right hand thread.

[joefrazer]

Not so...some early 47s used left hand thread on the driver side. Also, some used lug nuts and not bolts.

[Gordie]

The early Kaiser and Frazer had right and left hand threads.  See Service Bulletin #32 from December 22, 1947.  Stud holes are of different sizes and do not interchange. There were three different wheels used.  Service Bulletin #52 of March 1, 1948 announces the discontinuance of the use of wheels and drums with right and left hand threads.

[pnw_oldmags]

FYI - The 1953 Willys Aero I am working on has right and left hand threads.  Just saying.

[joefrazer]

My 68 Dodge Dart used left hand threads for the driver side wheel lugs. Chrysler hung on to the old technology for a while...

[carbuff1941]

I just checked the wheel lug nuts with an impact wrench and found that the pass. side nuts are right hand threads and the driver's side are left hand threads ( counter clockwise to tighten ).  I wonder when they changed to all right hand threads.

[william shippy]

"translate to 215/75R15 as a radial",

Has any one used a 65 & 70 Series tire on a 47-50? Give it a lower fatter look?

Wonder how it would look, ride and handle...

I went to this site, but still trying to get my head around the tire numbers...
 http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=46&s_kwcid=AL!3756!10!3308524061!30371469145&ef_id=VGFGRgAAAbVA8-dQ:20141110231528:s

Will in Whittier

[joefrazer]

Rear fender clearance becomes an issue when trying to use tires wider than 75 aspect ratio. When I bought my 53 it had 225R75/15 tires on it and they barely fit on the rear. I had to deflate the tires to clear the quarter panel and axle.