another tyre thread

[HughH]

I have deep 6's on my 73E, which is a daily driver, and have just had new 195 *65 *15 Pirelli P7's fitted all around. For what it is worth they seem to be good even though I have not driven much on them yet.

However the use of modern tyres on deep 6's seems to raise one issue with the tyre guys (apart from mounting anything on deep 6's ) that I cant get agreement on from shop to shop, and thought that I would throw to the board.

That is the issue of tube v tubeless fittings.

Even though I used supposedly specialist tyre places who deal in our sort of cars , race cars etc, there is no agreement between shops on whether or not to fit tubes to modern tyres if you have deep 6's.

Obviously modern tyres are designed to not have tubes.

Equally the deep 6's were built before tubeless tyres and require the very special valves if you want to run them tubeless due to the size and depth of the valve hole in the wheel.

This time around I have gone with tubes. However, to me, the downside to that is a puncture of the tube, even with a nail in the tyre that would not cause a major impact with a tubeless fitting, will cause a quick flat as all the air will flow out the valve hole in the wheel.

Given I have a 1973 dated space saver tyre as spare I don't want that to happen.

One solution would be to get a usable spare space saver such as the veredstein ones someone had listed on the board in case I get a puncture so i don't have to rely on a 35 year old spare. However I thought it would be useful to see what others did with the deep 6's

[matt911]

Hugh, I went through the same issue this week. I went tubeless. My tire guys have done a few deep 6's, including race cars, and gave me the option.

[HughH]

Matt

last time I went tubeless as well - also with Michelins - and never had an issue

PS

your car looks fantastic with the new wheels

[BBausser]

I've run 185/70/15's and 195/65/15's on Deep's for 20 years now w/o tubes and 100K + miles later have had no problems, not even a flat.

[2pt767S]

I've got both tires mentioned on my cars. Vredesteins on a 73 and CN36 175s on a 67 w/ 5 1/2 68 model year Fuchs finished to look like the original 4 1/2. You can see the 67 on Road Scholars web site. The Pirelli tire is extremely period correct and a blast to drive. The tire available is a special run and the compound is slightly softer a tread depth a little shallower to optimize performance. As few miles as these cars are driven, I went for the "fun" factor on the 67. There is a thread called longhoods At talking stick that shows the 73. I took a set of flat sixes to Harvey Weidman and he refinished them w/ a customized look. I personally love the result.
Hope this helps.

[2pt767S]

OOPS, the thread is on the R Gruppe web site, sorry.

[teenchy]

Hugh, I went through the same issue this week. I went tubeless. My tire guys have done a few deep 6's, including race cars, and gave me the option.

Matt, what have you done?!? Here you inspire me to stay on my steelies and then you go Fuchs? Just kidding, mate, and hoping my 195/65-15s will be okay on my 15x7s once they're refinished.

Ed

[Harvey Weidman]

Hugh,
The early 6s were made for tubes as you say. The stem hole is long and at a bad angle. There were stems made very thick in the taper area that would make up the difference and we used them for 35+ years. We have found if they are not changed every so often they come apart from the stretch trying to find a groove to fit in. The problem is they started to make the stems slimmer and they don't stay in while inflating.
We had two tools made to cure the problem. One to surface the inside to make a 90 degree flat and the other to make a step so the stem can snap in. You can't tell once the stems are in.

I have seen tubes in tubless tires cause some problems so I usually don't advise it.

The question I get asked most is about the safety beads. Safety beads were invented while tubes were still in use and there are still manufactures that don't have them 30+ years after they were introduced. They were the first attempt at run flats.
Harvey

[teenchy]

Mr. Weidman's description of the issues in running deep 6s with modern tires is why I picked up a set of 15x7 (not 7R) Fuchs for my 70T, even though deep 6s would be correct for it. However, I'm concerned that the 195/65-15s that I have on my 15x5.5 painted steelies may be too narrow for the 7s, even though to my eye they look a bit wide for the 5.5s. Can anyone confirm? My car is currently at US spec ride height; however an alignment is in order and I may consider lowering to Euro specs and corner balancing at the same time.

Apologies for what may seem a hijack,
Ed

[Harvey Weidman]

Some photos.