Tires

[84RabbitGTI]

The tires you have chosen are correct.  They were optional I think on our cars, but they are correct.

[JoeKeys2010]

I assume the rims should be blasted and painted the color of the car (Caribbean coral) to be correct or will black do?  I'm trying to get it as close to the way it was when it was new as possible. I have chrome rings and hubcaps so only a small part of the rim shows.

[Aeroman]

Joe Frazer - one of the reasons your Aero was not so good with radials is because they needed to be undersized to clear the tie rod ends up front. I've had large VW radials on Old Toby for many years and was never really pleased with the ride like I thought I would be. It wasn't horrible, just wasn't as good as I expected. Next set will be Goodrich Silvertowns. I've had both Silvertowns and Firestones on the car over the years and liked the Goodriches just a hair better than the 'Stones. They wore a little better, too. Best part is that I can drive to Coker Tire in Chattanooga, buy the tires and see the museum in the same day.

[vt2000driver]

if you are going for judging....... the wheels need to be painted flat black all over and then painted the car color from the front only so that the color comes through the holes in the wheel. or it has been over restored.

[Fid]

And don't the wheels then need to have the double pin stripes on them?

[JoeKeys2010]

So I paint the wheel flat black and then paint the front (meaning the part of the rim under the hubcap) the color of the car?  What happens to the lug bolts?  Do the get painted and if so what color?  I may never have the car judged but should I want to I want the option.

[joefrazer]

At the factory, the wheels...less tires...hung from hooks. As the wheels went into the spray booth, a painter applied the color coat to the primed wheel but only to the side that faced out. The back of the wheel did not get painted except for some over spray.

Lug nuts and the front wheel grease covers should remain natural color. By the way, drums should be painted a semi gloss black, although everyone today applies a longer wearing gloss black. In fact, all suspension components, including the frame and shocks should be painted the same black.

There is a specific assembly process that the factory used. I can detail if anyone's interested. I learned this at a KF retirees banquet I attended several years ago with Ken Mericle, a KF retiree himself. I sat at a table with a group of gents whose job it was to attach the bits and pieces on to the frame. I learned alot that day!

[JoeKeys2010]

Thanks. I'd be interested in any thing you can share.

[joncon]

I have bias ply on my Henry J, but radial tires on my stock 33 Ford. I put 35 Ford wire wheels on it so I could use 16 inch tires ( 225x75x16 they are the same height as the original 750x17's and the speedometer is only 3 mile off at 55mph).I have 3000 miles on them with no problems and it handles fine, with stock suspension and shocks. If I replace my tires in my J I'll go with radials.

[xkssfrank]

Seems like different cars respond differently to radials. My 1949 Buick Super was a handful until I changed to radials long time ago. Drove perfect after that. But have been disappointed with radials on other of my cars.

[JoeKeys2010]

I'm going with the bias ply white walls. Ordered them today. They are not cheap. I'll let everyone know what I think once I have them installed.

[JoeKeys2010]

The tires should be here tomorrow. Do I put tubes in them or simply mount them to the rims ? I have a question on the rims. One post says paint the entire rim black and then paint the front the color of the car. The next post says paint the front of the rim the color of the car and no other part of the rim gets painted. Which is correct ?  My wheels look as if the latter suggestion is correct. Either the paint has wore off or there was no paint on the originally.

Does the drum, wheel well and springs all get painted black?  Mine appears not to have been painted at all.

[Terry T]

do not put tubes in tubeless tires

[joefrazer]

Factory steel wheels came from Motor Wheel, the primary supplier to KF in a matte black prime. KF then painted the front of the wheel to match the body. Both of my 47s, my 53 and my 54 all have color keyed wheels where the reverse is black. Of course, over the years, the finish has worn from most of them and they've patinated, but they were originally black on the reverse.

If your new tires are tubeless, as was previously mentioned, do not put tubes in them.

[JoeKeys2010]

Thanks Joe and Terry. What about the drums, and springs?  Do they get painted black?