Tire / Tube woes
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
-
Topic author - Posts: 1960
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Juhl
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Touring
- Location: Thumb of Michigan
- MTFCA Number: 50297
- MTFCI Number: 24810
- Board Member Since: 2018
Tire / Tube woes
I want to buy some 30 x 3.5 inch tubes with brass stems. I called Universal and they have no idea when they'll have them back in stock. I also wanted to buy an additional Universal T Driver tire for a spare and they're out of stock also with no idea when they'll get them in. I called Coker and they said supposedly the 2nd week of August for the tubes.
Geez! Anybody know where I could at least find some brass-stemmed tubes?
Geez! Anybody know where I could at least find some brass-stemmed tubes?
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
-
- Posts: 813
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:59 pm
- First Name: William
- Last Name: Vanderburg
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 2
- Location: Jackson, NJ
- MTFCA Number: 28382
Re: Tire / Tube woes
Snyder's website says they have them. Doesn't mention being out of stock or anything of the sort.
William L Vanderburg
1925 Touring
1922 Center Door Sedan
1925 Touring
1922 Center Door Sedan
-
- Posts: 180
- Joined: Thu Feb 18, 2021 10:19 pm
- First Name: Bryan
- Last Name: Tutton
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Model T
- Location: Southwest, MI
Re: Tire / Tube woes
I had to look all over and finally found some in stock at Chaffin's Garage in California.
-
- Posts: 6496
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Jelf
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
- Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
- MTFCA Number: 16175
- MTFCI Number: 14758
- Board Member Since: 2007
- Contact:
Re: Tire / Tube woes
You could try Blockley. I buy rubber stem tubes, cut off the stems, and install old metal stems picked up cheap at swap meets. Saves about $15 a tube. I've found Hartford tubes satisfactory, but after bad experience with Custom Classic I steer clear of that brand.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
-
- Posts: 547
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:40 pm
- First Name: Andrew
- Last Name: Blaydon
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Cut-down touring
- Location: Middletown
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: Tire / Tube woes
Steve. Where do you get your Hartford rubber stem tubes from. Do you know if that is the brand universal sells?Steve Jelf wrote: ↑Mon Jun 14, 2021 3:43 pmYou could try Blockley. I buy rubber stem tubes, cut off the stems, and install old metal stems picked up cheap at swap meets. Saves about $15 a tube. I've found Hartford tubes satisfactory, but after bad experience with Custom Classic I steer clear of that brand.
-
Topic author - Posts: 1960
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Juhl
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Touring
- Location: Thumb of Michigan
- MTFCA Number: 50297
- MTFCI Number: 24810
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: Tire / Tube woes
Both Coker and Universal sell Hartford.
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
-
- Posts: 381
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 2:33 am
- First Name: Alan
- Last Name: Long
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1910 Canadian Touring Car and 1926 Australian built Utility
- Location: Western Australia
Re: Tire / Tube woes
One of our T Model Owners has two Hartford 30 x 3 1/2 Tubes fitted to his 1915 and claims the pressure drop
is minimal compared to other lighter / cheaper brands. Strange thing is, they look identical to some unbranded Tubes
except for the Hartford name painted on in white. From my investigations, they seem mid range in “feel” but much lighter
in weight than Blockley. The Michelin is even heavier again and claims they are good to cover three different Tyre sizes.
As a result, our choice moving forward are Blockley. A shame Michelin aren’t manufactured solely for 30 x 3 1/2!!
Alan in Western Australia
is minimal compared to other lighter / cheaper brands. Strange thing is, they look identical to some unbranded Tubes
except for the Hartford name painted on in white. From my investigations, they seem mid range in “feel” but much lighter
in weight than Blockley. The Michelin is even heavier again and claims they are good to cover three different Tyre sizes.
As a result, our choice moving forward are Blockley. A shame Michelin aren’t manufactured solely for 30 x 3 1/2!!
Alan in Western Australia
-
- Posts: 2402
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 4:17 pm
- First Name: Mark
- Last Name: Strange
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Cut Off Touring (now a pickup)
- Location: Hillsboro, MO
- MTFCA Number: 30944
- MTFCI Number: 23667
- Board Member Since: 2013
Re: Tire / Tube woes
I currently have two Universal T Drivers and three rubber stem tubes on back order with Universal. I guess I'll keep running my current nearly bald tires for a little while longer.
Mark Strange
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)
-
- Posts: 5259
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
- First Name: Allan
- Last Name: Bennett
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
- Location: Gawler, Australia
Re: Tire / Tube woes
Blockleys are available, and come with a brass stem, the same size as the larger Schraeder stems. Excellent quality and really thick.
Allan from down under.
Allan from down under.
-
Topic author - Posts: 1960
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Juhl
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Touring
- Location: Thumb of Michigan
- MTFCA Number: 50297
- MTFCI Number: 24810
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: Tire / Tube woes
I checked Lucas, they were pricey compared to the other vendors...I'm currently in communication with Blockley to see what it would cost for a set shipped to me in Michigan. They say they have plenty in stock.
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
-
- Posts: 88
- Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2020 9:53 am
- First Name: James
- Last Name: Catlin
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 depot hack
- MTFCA Number: 26310
Re: Tire / Tube woes
Tim let is know the price
-
- Posts: 451
- Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 8:36 am
- First Name: Daniel
- Last Name: Snell
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 Touring, 1924 Touring, 1925 Roadster Pickup, 1921 Touring
- Location: Boerne, Texas
- MTFCA Number: 31662
- MTFCI Number: 23677
- Board Member Since: 2014
Re: Tire / Tube woes
Blockley has the metal stem tubes in both 30 x 3 1/2 and 30 x 3 size. Takes about 10 days to get them delivered.
-
Topic author - Posts: 1960
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Juhl
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Touring
- Location: Thumb of Michigan
- MTFCA Number: 50297
- MTFCI Number: 24810
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: Tire / Tube woes
OK, I dropped the hammer and ordered five 30 x 3.5 tubes from Blockley - this is the quote I received:
Description Price Qty Net Tax Postage Gross
30x3.5 Inner Tube £29.00 5 £145.00 £0.0 £52 £197.00
Works out to $289.88 USD by today's exchange rate, or $57.98 per tube. - they accept and prefer payment by paypal.
The tubes come with an inner and outer nut and Blockley says they do not use bridge washers. If they are as good as claimed I hopefully won't need new tubes for a long time.
Pricey? Yeah. Universal and Coker if they had them sell them for a little under $40. Lang's & Snyders $49.95, couldn't find one at Lucas. None of these prices include shipping costs.
I'm comfortable with my decision unless experience shows me otherwise. I'll report again after I receive them and get them installed.
This is the brass stem used on the Blockley tires
Description Price Qty Net Tax Postage Gross
30x3.5 Inner Tube £29.00 5 £145.00 £0.0 £52 £197.00
Works out to $289.88 USD by today's exchange rate, or $57.98 per tube. - they accept and prefer payment by paypal.
The tubes come with an inner and outer nut and Blockley says they do not use bridge washers. If they are as good as claimed I hopefully won't need new tubes for a long time.
Pricey? Yeah. Universal and Coker if they had them sell them for a little under $40. Lang's & Snyders $49.95, couldn't find one at Lucas. None of these prices include shipping costs.
I'm comfortable with my decision unless experience shows me otherwise. I'll report again after I receive them and get them installed.
This is the brass stem used on the Blockley tires
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
-
- Posts: 6496
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Jelf
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
- Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
- MTFCA Number: 16175
- MTFCI Number: 14758
- Board Member Since: 2007
- Contact:
Re: Tire / Tube woes
I wonder what the part of the Blockley stem that's inside the rubber looks like.
Here's a metal stem from a modern tube (I don't remember what brand) on the left and a T era Schrader #725 stem on the right. The main reason I buy rubber stem tubes and install old metal stems in them is the price difference of $15 a tube. But it doesn't hurt that the old stem has a wider base. Of course, that may be apples and oranges. The T era stems clamp the rubber and the modern ones are vulcanized into it, so maybe even with the smaller base they're just as good.
I intend to go with Blockleys for my next tyres, but I expect I'll keep the Hartford tubes with old Schrader stems in them. So far they have been OK.
Here's a metal stem from a modern tube (I don't remember what brand) on the left and a T era Schrader #725 stem on the right. The main reason I buy rubber stem tubes and install old metal stems in them is the price difference of $15 a tube. But it doesn't hurt that the old stem has a wider base. Of course, that may be apples and oranges. The T era stems clamp the rubber and the modern ones are vulcanized into it, so maybe even with the smaller base they're just as good.
I intend to go with Blockleys for my next tyres, but I expect I'll keep the Hartford tubes with old Schrader stems in them. So far they have been OK.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
-
Topic author - Posts: 1960
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Juhl
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Touring
- Location: Thumb of Michigan
- MTFCA Number: 50297
- MTFCI Number: 24810
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: Tire / Tube woes
FWIW I was talking with Lang's today on another matter and asked them whether they had brass-stemmed tubes available. Their answer was that they didn't have any tubes and expected not to get any until mid-August at the earliest. Mid-August also came up in my discussion with Coker so I think the problem is widespread.
I admire Steve's process in converting rubber stemmed tubes to brass stems with early style stems. If I had any, I'd try the same thing. I haven't been in the hobby long enough to have built up a stash of brass stems and they're getting scarce as others recognize their value like Steve has. I'll have four Hartfords left over when I install the Blockleys which I'll hold onto in the hopes that I can get my hands on some old-style stems and parts later on.
I admire Steve's process in converting rubber stemmed tubes to brass stems with early style stems. If I had any, I'd try the same thing. I haven't been in the hobby long enough to have built up a stash of brass stems and they're getting scarce as others recognize their value like Steve has. I'll have four Hartfords left over when I install the Blockleys which I'll hold onto in the hopes that I can get my hands on some old-style stems and parts later on.
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
-
- Posts: 5259
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
- First Name: Allan
- Last Name: Bennett
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
- Location: Gawler, Australia
Re: Tire / Tube woes
So Blockleys and their nice stems for $57.98 or Lang's/Snyders offerings for $49.95 PLUS freight, looks like a no brainer to me.
Allan from down under.
Allan from down under.
-
Topic author - Posts: 1960
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Juhl
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Touring
- Location: Thumb of Michigan
- MTFCA Number: 50297
- MTFCI Number: 24810
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: Tire / Tube woes
I've been talking with Lee at Blockleys about tube installation. He said their tubes are not intended to be used with a bridge washer. Apparently the nut with the serrated edge goes against the inside of the rim and the conventional nut on the outside. Does anyone see why that would be a problem with our demountable clincher rims?
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
-
- Posts: 3298
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:43 am
- First Name: Larry
- Last Name: Smith
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 Touring, 13 Roadster, 17 Coupelet, 25 Roadster P/U
- Location: Lomita, California
- MTFCA Number: 121
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- MTFCI Number: 16310
Re: Tire / Tube woes
Weight is the issue. Use originals.
-
- Posts: 5259
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
- First Name: Allan
- Last Name: Bennett
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
- Location: Gawler, Australia
Re: Tire / Tube woes
What is the issue with weight? Those two nuts are not likely to weigh more than an original nut and steel bridge washer. Am I missing something?
Allan from down under.
Allan from down under.
-
Topic author - Posts: 1960
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Juhl
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Touring
- Location: Thumb of Michigan
- MTFCA Number: 50297
- MTFCI Number: 24810
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: Tire / Tube woes
FWIW - I put balance beads in my tubes to balance my tires. I'm not too worried about the imbalance caused by the brass stem and nuts. Many of you run heavy dust covers over the stems, imagine what they do to the balance
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
-
- Posts: 2477
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 1:30 pm
- First Name: Dave
- Last Name: Hjortnaes
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 24 Speedster, 20 touring
- Location: Men Falls, WI
- MTFCA Number: 28762
- MTFCI Number: 22402
Re: Tire / Tube woes
I do not see what weight would have to do with anything. I would be more concerned with the size of the nut and the hole in the rim. If the hole in your rim is too large, do you need to find a washer to place between the hole and the nut? A rubberized washer?
-
- Posts: 5259
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
- First Name: Allan
- Last Name: Bennett
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
- Location: Gawler, Australia
Re: Tire / Tube woes
David, if that is a problem, it would probably be OK to leave the Blockley nut in place, fit a bridge washer and then run the second not up to hold it in place. Even the junk bridge wsahers without the ridge would work. The fitting would then be like normal.
Allan from down under.
Allan from down under.