MTFCA Forum

I want to grab my tubes and flaps before the price increase but I want to make sure I get this right...

I bought a set of 4.40/4.50-21 tires over Christmas with the free shipping deal but I still need the tubes and flaps. I don't need rim strips for a split rim since there are no spokes poking through the inside correct? Just tubes and flaps?

Has anyone ordered the metal stem tubes from universal? I hear the rubber stemmed tubes don't fit well and need shaving, I was wondering if there is an issue with the metal stems...

Correct, for split rims use flaps, no rim strip. Metal stems are the way to go as you can put on the original valve stem covers as Ford did.

I recently bought a new tire, tube and flaps for my 26..

The tube had the rubber valve stem. It was a tight fit, but it was not an issue to install, no shaving was required.

The metal stem tubes they make today are NOT correct for any Model T.

Ok folks, thanks!

I'll pick up some rubber stemmed tubes and call it good.

hey Jason did you buy the economy 21 in tires from Summit? the ones for 99.00.

As Larry says, today's metal stems are not the same ones Ford used. They're equivalent to the Schrader 825, a wider stem.

The Schrader 777 stem used by Ford is about ¹³⁄₃₂" like the stem shown on the left here. Today's metal stems are about ³¹⁄₆₄" like the one on the right. Most of the original stems in that size are Schrader 824 and the slightly longer 825.



Surprisingly, considering how many Fords were made, most of the stems you find at swap meets today are the larger size. You can certainly find the 777 stems, but they're much less common than the others.

Some folks are very strict about being original. Others are less so. I'm in the second group. I use the larger size because they're easy to find, because the new covers fit them, and because they're hidden by the covers so it's not obvious what size they are.

Buying rubber stem tubes and replacing the rubber stems with my own metal stems saves me between $10 and $15 a tube.

http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG110.html

tmagill wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 21, 2019 10:24 am

hey Jason did you buy the economy 21 in tires from Summit? the ones for 99.00.

Nope, I bought them from BirdHaven, as I was driving past for work one day. The price seamed about the same, maybe $104??

Thanks Jason

Steve, I believe Larry Smith was referring to the rubber stems. They have a thick taper and some of the stem covers won't go on.
I've had the same problem. I got covers from Lucus and I'll have to take a carpet knife to the stems or bore out the stem covers.
Also some folks have had problems pulling the stems though the rim with out a proper tool .

Jason , what kind of wheels you have would help us a little. Metal spokes or wood spokes ??

George:

Just plain old stock 1926 wood wheels with split rims. All the other cars with split rims I've had did not use rim strips so I just wanted to be sure it was the same for a T.

George N Lake Ozark wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 21, 2019 3:29 pm

Jason , what kind of wheels you have would help us a little. Metal spokes or wood spokes ??

Wood spokes. I was surprised how easy it was to change the tire. I do have the rim tool (forgot is name) Hardest part was aligning the bolt hole. I suspect it took 20 minutes.

I believe Larry Smith was referring to the rubber stems.

No, he did say metal stems. The ones on new tubes are larger than what Ford used.

Steve,I think I was getting that mixed up about what he talking about months ago.