Kaiser Frazer Owners Club Forum
General Category => Kaiser Forum => Topic started by: ken taplin on April 25, 2010, 03:54:04 PM
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I would like to put radials on my '51 but don't know if the wheels will stand it. I've had two reports of wheels cracking around the bolt holes on some Hudsons so I am wary. Anyone have experience in this area?
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Hi Ken, I've heard that's a myth (about the rims bending / cracking). Perhaps someone will respond with some proof.
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I've run radials on several Kaisers and aside from a workout when slow speed turning, I've never had a problem with them.
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In general there is no problem with running radial tires on KF products.
But:
1) Wire wheels will require tubes..and a liner for the spokes. This is true with non-radials as well.
2) The proper size for big cars is P225 or better P215x15. P235x15 will be difficult to get on the rear axle due to very little fender clearance.
3) You need to dismount the old tires, clean the inside of the rim, and paint the cleaned surface with something like Rustloeum Rusty Metal Primer and then color. The inside of the rim is almost always rusty and if you want the tire to seal, you have to remove the flaky rust and then coat or paint to prevent the rust from coming back soon. Rusty metal primer is soft so that is why I suggest a color on top of it. It will take several weeks in a warm climate to cure the paint (unless your wife will allow you to screw up her oven) so this isn't a situation where you get up one Saturday and switch out tires.
The Tire Store Doesn't Care about the condition of your rims! As long as your new tires don't go flat before you finish paying and start your car to leave - They Don't Care!
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I have 205 75/R15 Coker Wide Whitewall tires on my 51. They look nice, and you will love the way they ride.