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I just put a set of Coker radials on my '60 (245HP set up) and the difference in the ride is remarkable. I should have done this years ago. Anyway I just read a tech tip in "Old Cars Weekly" that noted that it is a mistake to place radial tires on wheels designed for bias ply tires. Something about too much stress on the wheels and potential wheel failure. I'm just a pleasure driver, no racing or motocross - but I do put the car on the highway for club cruises and that sort of stuff - and the last thing i need is a blow-out. Any coments on this. Do I need a new set of wheels.
Thanks,
Joe Utz
Radial tire construction does impart more lateral load on the wheel, but certainly not enough to cause wheel failure (at least not on Corvettes - don't know what wheels were discussed in the article you mentioned). There are thousands of Corvettes out there with radial tires on wheels that originally had bias tires on them; you may notice wheel covers that move a bit on the rim after switching to radials, but that's about it.
I also put radials on my C1 and am very well pleased.
I was advised to install steel valve stems. The steel stems will keep the wheel covers from rotating and perhaps cutting the rubber type valve stems
I also read years ago that radial would wear out the suspension quicker, because it transferred more shock to the components. I think this is on par with other old school practices such as warnings to not use synthetic oil because it is too slippery.
They ought to research their "facts" a bit better. They may have misconstrued
the advise not to put tubeless tires on wheels designed for tube type tires.
Thanks to all for your comments. It really didn't make sense to me. I think I'll just leave the radials on the orig. wheels. I will watch the hubcaps for movement and if it looks like they may cut into the rubber valve stems then metal ones it is. Last thing I need is a leak. Thanks again for the help.
Joe Utz
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