Proper Tire Size

[schoutenbr]

My 1926 Touring is in need of a new set of tires given that the ones currently on it are around 60 years old and have cracking on the sidewalls. Currently, it has 30 X 3.5 sized tires on both the front and back. I'm a recent new Model T owner so I'm still learning the Model T basics that most of the users of this forum probably already know. I read on a tire manufacturer website that the proper size for the rear is the 30 X 3.5 size, but for the front the proper size is 30 X 3.0. Is this correct and if so, why the difference? Did the previous owner of my Model T have the wrong size tires on the front of this vehicle for this long? Also, given my T is not a show T and just a fun driver, any recommendations for the type of tire to purchase? It looks like a lower priced tire out there is the Wards Riverside tire. Is this a decent tire or something I should steer clear of? Thanks in advance for any insight anyone can offer.

[RajoRacer]

If you have all 4 same size tires, I'm assuming you also have demountable rims. An original '26 - '27 non-starter car could/would have had non-demountable wheels which would have had 30 x 3 in the front which is a 24" rim.

All high pressure clinchers are imported from the same Vietnam factory - preference is in tire tread design and/or costs, depending on your wallet !

[schoutenbr]

Additional information on my 1926 Touring. It is a car with a starter and with demountable rims on wood spoke wheels. Given this, is it ok/proper for all four tires to be sized at 30 X 3.5? Thanks again for any guidance/confirmation.

[ModelTWoods]

Additional information on my 1926 Touring. It is a car with a starter and with demountable rims on wood spoke wheels. Given this, is it ok/proper for all four tires to be sized at 30 X 3.5? Thanks again for any guidance/confirmation.

With a starter and demountable rims, your car is absolutely correct.

[Steve Jelf]

Different-sized front and rear tires are for 1909-1919. BUT after 90+ years many of these cars are wearing different wheels than the ones they were born with.

UPDATE: According to Bob Coiro, who I believe has researched the subject, clincher tires sold by Coker and most others have been made in Taiwan since 2009. Wards Riversides, sold by Lucas, are still made in Vietnam. The varying prices depend on brand name and appearance, not quality, and if one brand lasts any longer than others it's because of tread design, not better materials.

Tubes most commonly available now are Custom Classic (India) and Hartford (China). Apparently there was a run of Custom Classics that were packaged before cooling enough, and are prone to splitting. I patched one several times before I realized what was wrong with it. Since then I've been using Hartfords with no trouble.

[Allan]

How many 1926 starter equipped cars had 30 x 3.5" clincher tyres?
I note that these is some concern re cracking in some 60 year old tyres. Best wishes getting 6 years out of new ones before having the same problem.

Allan from down under.

[RajoRacer]

I've purchased & mounted 10 new clinchers this winter for myself - 10 Firestone & mounted 2 Universals for a friend - ALL 12 had gold paper Vietnam tags wrapped within !

[Steve Jelf]

ALL 12 had gold paper Vietnam tags wrapped within !

Just like my Wards. Apparently the Taiwan thing didn't work out.

[DanTreace]

Allan

How many 1926 starter equipped cars had 30 x 3.5" clincher tyres?

Appears the 706,408 open cars sold in model year 1926 were starter equipped and came standard with 30x3 1/2" clincher tires, as 21" split rim balloon were extra cost, but perhaps many went for the bigger nicer riding tires. Seems no record of what tire equipment supplied, so we won't know.

According to Bruce's research, only about 3,000 open cars were non-starter in 1926, and later in the calendar year these were special order only.
The non-starter got 30x3" tires in front, and 30x3 1/2" tires in rear, on non-demountable wheels, those spoke wheels had steel felloe.
No rim carrier, and kerosene tail lamp, magneto headlamps.

So this runabout was a rare bird then as now.

Steel felloe non-demountable clincher wheel, 1926, with the improved car big brake drum.

[Mark Gregush]

I know of one 26 coupe with starter that has had 30X3-1/2 for as long as the history of car has been known.

[Allan]

Dan, those figures are interesting. Suffice to say, the Canadians did it differently, going on my observations of cars in Australia. They used 30 x 3.5" clinchers all round, front and back, from the outset. I am aware of one 26 tourer in Australia which has 30 x 3.5" clinchers. This car was a special order, the customer requesting same rather than 21" balloon tyred wheels. The car was later traded back at the same dealer, and that dealer has it to this day.
Apart from this car, and another I have been advised of, all our 26 models came with the 21" wheels once they were available. I have found a few 23" wheels with large brake drums, so they are not unheard of, but are definitely a rarity.

Allan from down under.

[DHort]

Bruce, you say your car is not a show car. If you have de-mountables and a spare they should be all the same size. Then your best bet is to just get 5 more 30 x 3 1/2 inch tires. Leave the 30 x 3 for the show cars. If all your tires are the same you can rotate them like a modern car. You should be taking them off every year anyways so you can clean and grease your bearings.