VALVE STEM SIZE

Discuss all things Model T related.
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
JEC
Posts: 132
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:34 pm
First Name: John
Last Name: Cox
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Runabout, 1925 Pickup
Location: Tucson, Arizona

VALVE STEM SIZE

Post by JEC » Sun May 12, 2019 12:50 pm

My new inner tubes have a valve stem that is larger than the hole in the rim?
Should I drill it larger or just use them as is.
I thing that the old tubes had the same problem but were installed that way.
Attachments
P1010308.JPG
P1010310.JPG
P1010309.JPG

User avatar

CudaMan
Posts: 2383
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: VALVE STEM SIZE

Post by CudaMan » Sun May 12, 2019 1:53 pm

Mark Strange
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)

User avatar

Mark Gregush
Posts: 4956
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:57 pm
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Gregush
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 cutdown PU, 1920 Dodge touring, 1948 F2 Ford flat head 6 pickup 3 speed
Location: Portland Or
MTFCA Number: 52564
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: VALVE STEM SIZE

Post by Mark Gregush » Sun May 12, 2019 3:09 pm

Never mind. The advice that works for me may not work for you.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup

User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 6463
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: VALVE STEM SIZE

Post by Steve Jelf » Mon May 13, 2019 12:15 am

You could alter the tubes and leave the wheels alone.
http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG110.html
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring


Original Smith
Posts: 3284
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: VALVE STEM SIZE

Post by Original Smith » Mon May 13, 2019 9:54 am

I've mentioned that problem to all the major tire companies that sell tubes. The bottom line is they don't care. The tubes we used to buy from Wards and Firestone back in the '60s all worked, and they had real Schrader valve stems vulcanized to them too. I even saved an old stem with the Schrader number on it for reference. A friend of mine files down the stem until it fits. I cut off the stems and put original ones on.


Original Smith
Posts: 3284
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: VALVE STEM SIZE

Post by Original Smith » Mon May 13, 2019 10:00 am

The valve stem that Steve used in his illustrations is incorrect. It works of course, but it's not what Ford used. I posted a photo of the correct rim nut on the forum last week. There is no sense in using the incorrect valve stem, when there are plenty of originals around. The late rim nuts are easy to find, but the early ones are difficult to find. The correct valve stem for a T is a Schrader 777, or 888. Of course, they use a different bridge washer too.

User avatar

Susanne
Posts: 1043
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 6:06 pm
First Name: Susanne
Last Name: Rohner
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Late '15 touring, "Angel".
Location: Valfabbrica, (central) Italy
MTFCA Number: 464
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 1999
Contact:

Re: VALVE STEM SIZE

Post by Susanne » Mon May 13, 2019 11:48 am

I've done the whittle the rubber thing, I've done the forcefit thing, I even tried an oversized motorcycle tube - in EVERY case, the rubber stem failed, bubbling around the felloe hole and then popping, usually somewhere where changing that tube wasn't very fun at all!

I think part of the problem is they're just not made to hold 60-70 PSI... although semi tubes (which are getting rare) seemed to handle 110 PSI fine. So it takes me to the other part of the problem - they're not very well made, and whoever is making these things are slapping them out in small batches as cheap as possible...

I eventually decided that it was worth the hassle to go with the correct(ish) metal stems, and other than a slow leak on one (probably from my pinching the tube, darnit!) haven't had a problem.

My only concern is the age of the tubes we get - how long have they been sitting on the shelf, in a warehouse, etc? I got one batch (quite a few years back now) that were obviously old - so much so when I got them out to use them they got used holding down trash instead. I still worry - if I plunk down $$ for a tube, will they be fresh, or will they be just shy of age cracking?


DickC
Posts: 271
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 7:51 am
First Name: Dick
Last Name: Cruickshank
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 Depot Hack, 1916 Touring
Location: Angier NC

Re: VALVE STEM SIZE

Post by DickC » Mon May 13, 2019 4:59 pm

Several years ago I ran into this problem with new tubes. I called Lucas and was told I was the only one who complained and that I must be doing something wrong. I did like what was suggested and went for the metal valve and got the problem solved.. However the issue of aged tubes is another matter. Several years ago, maybe 20-25, I bought a 1924 T that had been in a barn forever. The deal was I was to clean out the barn with all the T parts on the shelves. I found two sealed boxes of tubes that had been on the shelf for years with paper wrapped around them. There were at least twelve. I am still using them as they hold air on two Ts that I have and probably on two Ts I have sold. I have not had the same result with "NEW" tubes. Dick C.

User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 6463
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: VALVE STEM SIZE

Post by Steve Jelf » Mon May 13, 2019 9:01 pm

Larry is correct. I'm using the Schrader 824 and 825 stems. Why? Because that's what the covers I'm using are made to fit. The covers were given to me as a freebee, so would I use the oversize stems just to fit them? Damn right. And why are the new covers made to fit the 824 and 825 stems? Because that's the size used on the new metal stem tubes. And why is that size used on the tubes? You got me there. I have no clue.
IMG_2327 copy.JPG
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring


Original Smith
Posts: 3284
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: VALVE STEM SIZE

Post by Original Smith » Wed May 15, 2019 12:37 pm

The photo that Steve posted above looks correct to me, but is impossible to tell if it has the correct rim nut without removing the dust cover. Great photo Steve of an early correct looking dust cover and rim nut.

User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 6463
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: VALVE STEM SIZE

Post by Steve Jelf » Wed May 15, 2019 2:48 pm

The cover looks original, but it's one of Mike Lebsak's reproductions. It screws directly onto the oversize stem. The only rim nut is the round knurled one shown in the photo.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic