Help on mounting tires on "Deep Sixes"

[Gary R]

I recently bought a set of "Deep Sixes" and the previous owner told me that:

"apparently deep six rims are difficult to mount/dismount tires onto and the rims can easily be damaged by the tire shop in to process. So, somehow you need to locate a local tire shop that has experience and maybe the right equipment to do that job"

Can anyone help clarify these concerns with me so I do not damage these beautiful rims?

Also, I am putting them on a 1970 911E Targa and I am wondering what the best tire size is. I am looking at:

a) all 4 tires @ 205/60/15
b) all 4 tires @ 215/60/15
c) 205/?/15 in the front & 225/?/15 in the rear

Help!! I am so confused

Thanks

Gary

[Scott Clarke]

Gary-
215s are too big for 6's. The 205/60s will work. I use 195/65-15, which looks very much like the original tires.

The tires need to be mounted from the back side. You need to find a tire store that has a machine that does not touch the rim on the side from which the tire is mounted. Not all shops have these. Also, the hole for the valve stem is larger than most, so finding fresh valve stems is tricky. The place I used located a set after digging around a little. Tires are hard to mount on these wheels due to the profile of the area between the rims. This profile limits how ecentric the tire can be pushed, makig it harder to pop the bead over the rim. Find a place that seems competent. The first place I tries ruined three tires before giving up. They did not have the correct type of machine.

[BBausser]

I've never had a problem. I've used Costco, Discount Tire Stores and my mechanic. I think a lot of people (both owners and service centers) have this false mystique about how special Porsches are (they are special) but common mainteance and repair things (changing tires, oil, wiperblades, etc.) are pretty run of the mill until you get into the Carerra Twos in 1990 that is.

[andyjboy]

Just for information , the valves you need are TR 415:

[Soterik]

All great info...

I use my local Discount Tire, and have a relationship with the Mgr, and I've been using their best guy for years. I slip him a tip when he's done, and all of mine, inlcuding a set of 911R wheels (much harder to mount than the deep 6), have turned out flawless.

e

[joegt3cup]

As for tires I love period correct looking tires so I would go for the 185/70/15's either Michelin XWX or a much less alternative Vandersteen Sprint Classics.
My 2 cents.

[911s55]

All great info...

I use my local Discount Tire, and have a relationship with the Mgr, and I've been using their best guy for years. I slip him a tip when he's done, and all of mine, inlcuding a set of 911R wheels (much harder to mount than the deep 6), have turned out flawless.

e

Absoulutely agree.

My local discount store here in Tacoma handles all my wheels as I ask, have the correct phatty valve stems in stock, and the lug centric 5x130mm adaptor for balancing.

Ignore all the negative crap about chain stores, it's the managers and the installers at each individual shop that do or don't for us.

I'm going to my local this Saturday with my fresh restored deep sixes and Vredesteins.


David

[Gary R]

Hi Guys,

I recently got 2 pieces of advice.

The first reply was, "I had deep sixes, but it was years ago now. Seems to me the tires like to go on form the back. Threaded valve stems are a must in my book..."

The second reply was, "Have them mounted upside down, use phatty valve stems, and have them balanced using a concentric lug adaptor 5x130mm.".

I want to thank both of you for your input. I am not sure if this makes a difference, but on three of the four wheels I bought the valve hole is on the heart on the fourth it is not on the heart.

My questions are:

I went out and got the phatty valve stems. The ones I got are by a company called Milton. They say M415 on them. I have one that says TR415 on it, but it is not a Milton brand. Will it work if it says 415 on it or does it have to be a TR415? Secondly, since the underside of the valve hole (inside the rim) is not flat all the way around the hole and secondly, the thickness of the hole itself on the heart, is there any concern with the valve seating properly.

Second, if I where to look at using a threaded valve,

I don't see how that could work since the outside surface of the valve hole is not flat. How do you get the nut to seat correctly and is the seal big enough on the bottom side to seal the valve?

I am new to this and could really use some more assistance so that I don't end up using the wrong parts or missing something in my interpretation.

Thanks for the help

[Gary R]

I just read my thread. Way too many 'seconds' !!! But I think you can still get my drift.

Gary