Radials for my 49 resto?

Dennis, I beleive that you and I are in the same neck of the woods. I can give you some insight on the subject because I drive my cars alot. What's your # I'll give you a buzz... Thanks.... Wilton Ct.

Dennis,



When I restored my Brougham I went with Bias Ply because I wanted the car to be original. I used BF Goodrich 7.10x15. I found that the tires sqealed a lot on corners and on the highway wandered at times.



Last year while reading the WTN, I found an article by George Schhmitt.

He wrote many articles for the WTN and was considered to be a Hudson guru. In this article he wrote about bias versus radial tires. His opinion was that bias tires were better than radials. He suggested that the tire pressure be increased to 35-39 pounds instead of the factory suggested 24 pounds. I took his advice and bumped the tire pressures up to 35 pounds and that made a world of differance in the way the car handled.

The tires don't sqeal on corners anymore and the car does not wander on the highway.



Your restoring a convertable so the suggested tire size would be 7.60x15

I also recently found another tire company out of Hersey PA that sold Goodyear tires in 7.10x 15 and 7.60x15 with wide whites. I beleive that Hudson used Goodyear tires only back in 48-49. If I had found these tires I would have put them on instead of the BF Goodrich.



Thats my opinion.

should be good now ... just emptied...

Dennis,



Here is a picture of tire and hubcap from my '49

I would strongly recommend that you try and drive both radials and bias ply. I know each has put there reviews up but it is probably worth trying each. I had bias plys on my C8 and it was just too skirmy on the road, would not track down the road and the ride was not what I was comfortable with. After switching to radials it road better and it went straight down the road. But to each his own. The radials will also outlast the bias plys as well.

I am using my original wheels and have not had any leakers. They were sand blasted and then powder coated as above. The powder coating may have helped seal any leaks that may have been there. You might consider that as an alternative.

dennis after having had G78 remington's on my 54 for years, I now running 7.60 Silvertowns. the difference is amazing. the remingtons grabbed grooved pavement where it is barely noticeable with the 7.60's. Can't say for sure that its all size or a combination of size and manufacturer but as far as ride and handling I don't think you will be disapointed in the 7.60 silvertowns. As soon as I had them mounted I left on a 300 mile trip to Carlisle. I would normally have some arm fatigue from the steering wheel on a trip with the old tires, now there was none. I guess I hadn't noticed the fatigue before, but I did notice the lack afterward. the ride is smooth and comfortable.

fwiw I run 32 -34 psi.

of course the suspension and steering was designed around the bias tires where a modern car is designed for radials and power steering.

the remington's did serve well for 25000 miles and were replaced due to age rather than wear so don't worry so much about life differences.

hudsonkid wrote:

Fro driving, Radials, all the way...



Any of you guys have problems with your rims leaking? I'm thinking new tires this spring, radial white walls, and I might just put tubes in them all, to not have to worry...



THOUGHTS???????

The early stepdown wheels had the centers riveted to to the rim. That was before tubeless tires were introduced at the factory. later rims were welded. Yes there were instances of leaks due to the riveted construction. This problem persisted for several years as owners upgraded to the tubless design. It effected all brands of cars, not just Hudson. Having said that, I have riveted rims on my 49 and have never had any leaks with the tubeless tires. This was not a BIG problem but did cause a few returns to the tire store. I would imagine that most of those leaky rims were either "repaired" or discarded over the years.