foam filled tires

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bobt
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foam filled tires

Post by bobt » Wed Apr 08, 2020 5:53 am

Hello. I have a 1915 touring that I purchased last August and have been enjoying the car and go for daily drives. The gentleman I bought it from told me I would never have to worry about the tires because they are foam filled. Well it has a set of nice Coker clenchers on it and they stay up but the ride like steel wheels. I have the painted demountable wood spoke with fellow wheels. I ordered a set of Firestone's with flaps and new tubes. My question is, Has anybody out there ever dealt with foam filled tires? Is the foam contained in the inner tube? Can I salvage the old tires or will I have to cut them off? Thanks, bobt


Plankhill
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Re: foam filled tires

Post by Plankhill » Wed Apr 08, 2020 6:38 am

I ran a set for several thousand miles. The ones I had ran pretty good. I would do it again if the price had not gone way up. The tube is filled with foam. No, you cannot save the tires. Take a Sawzall to them to get them off.


mtntee20
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Re: foam filled tires

Post by mtntee20 » Wed Apr 08, 2020 7:43 am

+1 on using a sawzall to remove them. Remove the tube valve core just to be sure they are actually foam filled. Then be careful NOT to hit the rims when you saw. I might or might not have to cut them twice to get the off of the rim. They may be too stiff to get off with just one cut. Hopefully, you'll get lucky and one cut will work just fine. The good thing about foam filled tubes; you don't have to clean foam off of the rim before you can put your new tires on.

Good Luck,
Terry


Scott_Conger
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Re: foam filled tires

Post by Scott_Conger » Wed Apr 08, 2020 10:17 am

And just when I thought I'd seen or heard everything...
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Les Schubert
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Re: foam filled tires

Post by Les Schubert » Wed Apr 08, 2020 10:27 am

It’s a popular approach to forklift tires!!


tom_strickling
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Re: foam filled tires

Post by tom_strickling » Wed Apr 08, 2020 9:54 pm

I have heard that sometimes car museum displays use foam filled tires to cut out the maintenance issue of keeping tires full of air.
“The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off.” – Abe Lemons.


halftracknut
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Re: foam filled tires

Post by halftracknut » Thu Apr 09, 2020 10:57 am

I am up for it where to you call?

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DanTreace
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Re: foam filled tires

Post by DanTreace » Thu Apr 09, 2020 11:04 am

Back in the day, just go to your local auto parts supplier.

Pack 'em in.

IMG_5457.JPG



Today, do it your self, grab some foam swim noodle floats and cut them up and stuff. :lol:
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Dan Hatch
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Re: foam filled tires

Post by Dan Hatch » Thu Apr 09, 2020 11:13 am

Be careful if you are thinking about doing this.
1. At one time was not approved for on road use. Do not know now.
2. If who ever does this does not get 100% of the air out of tire, there will be “air pockets” where no foam is. This will let the tire come apart and destroy it self. Removing the air was done by sticking a big needle in the tire sidewall so air could escape. Not sure how done now.
Hope this helped. Dan

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Chris Instness
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Re: foam filled tires

Post by Chris Instness » Thu Apr 09, 2020 11:17 am

Might not be a bad idea for that spare tire that always seems to be low on air when you need it.

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DanTreace
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Re: foam filled tires

Post by DanTreace » Thu Apr 09, 2020 3:01 pm

Dan

Just checked DOT and rules don’t forbid foam specifically, but guidance says materials other than air could be against rule if these materials affect tire performance. Maybe too an insurance liability issue to use anything other than what the pneumatic tire mfg. recommends.

27E59D57-267E-4481-8ADB-1DD278065AB7.jpeg
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford


Tim Moore
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Re: foam filled tires

Post by Tim Moore » Thu Apr 09, 2020 4:13 pm

I have a set of Stranger wire wheels that came off a T that was used for mail delivery. The tires were solid rubber without the normal holes going horizontal like sometime seen on ton trucks, looked like normal tires. I took them off with a sawzall and it took a LONG time!

This last fall I grabbed the wheelbarrow and as always the tire was flat. I pulled the tube out and drilled ,4 holes right in the center of the tread. 2 cans of expanding foam made a mess but it won't go flat again!

Tim Moore


Tim Moore
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Re: foam filled tires

Post by Tim Moore » Thu Apr 09, 2020 4:13 pm

Spranger wheels, auto-correct on phone.


Speedster Jeff
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Re: foam filled tires

Post by Speedster Jeff » Fri Apr 10, 2020 10:30 am

Tim Moore wrote:
Thu Apr 09, 2020 4:13 pm
This last fall I grabbed the wheelbarrow and as always the tire was flat. I pulled the tube out and drilled ,4 holes right in the center of the tread. 2 cans of expanding foam made a mess but it won't go flat again!

Tim Moore
That is a great idea. Can it actually haul the amount of weight it is rated for, or does it squish down and then the tire is loose on the rim and foam?


Scott_Conger
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Re: foam filled tires

Post by Scott_Conger » Fri Apr 10, 2020 10:51 am

And yet another really bad idea grows legs and takes off... :(
Scott Conger

Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny

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Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured


Speedster Jeff
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Re: foam filled tires

Post by Speedster Jeff » Fri Apr 10, 2020 11:01 am

Scott_Conger wrote:
Fri Apr 10, 2020 10:51 am
And yet another really bad idea grows legs and takes off... :(
For use on my wheelbarrow? I wouldn't do it on a car.


Tim Moore
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Re: foam filled tires

Post by Tim Moore » Fri Apr 10, 2020 12:17 pm

So far no trouble. I just push it around the yard so don't expect the foam to break down soon. Actually that expanding foam gets hard. When I first did this I figured it didn't work I would go to harbor freight and buy a solid tire. For some reason my wheelbarrow tires have never held air.


Scott_Conger
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Re: foam filled tires

Post by Scott_Conger » Fri Apr 10, 2020 4:31 pm

certainly not on a wheelbarrow, no.
Scott Conger

Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny

NH Full Flow Float Valves
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured

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