MTFCA Forum

Does anyone know of a good source for 30 X 3 1/2 Metal Stem Tubes now?

Do you have to order them direct from China where they are made?

I have a bunch of used ones Jim...
You have my email, Dave

I just made my own metal stem tubes last Friday using a method promoted by Steve Jelf and others. Here is my post. It's another way to get to the goal if you want metal stems.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=23707

Andrew, Jim has a friend with a tire & a rim, no tube. George

George Hand wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 21, 2021 6:00 pm

Andrew, Jim has a friend with a tire & a rim, no tube. George

Sure, ok, just saying that recycling metal valve stems can open your options when it comes to replacing tubes. I bought mine back in February. I think most suppliers have been out of stock since April/ May with hopes of getting new shipments this time of year.

Andy

I believe Blockley tubes are available, but do not know of a US source. Best quality, thick rubber, threaded stem to take original dust covers.

Allan from down under.

I ordered a set from Blockley - quick, no-hassle delivery. Compared to the Hartfords I had they are made of much heavier material. I bought five for $290 shipped to Michigan. Pricey but in my estimation, worth it.

Allan, where is Blockley located.

That does not sound like a Chinese name.

Original stems aren't too hard to find; either the 777 or the 888 will work, as will the Dill #16. They all have the same thread, but sometimes the threads are a little bunged up. A year or so ago, I had a run of dies made to chase the threads on the original stems. I can have a second run made if there's enough interest. I posted an ad to that effect but only got two or three guys signed up. Maybe I should re-post.

R.V.Anderson wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 22, 2021 3:58 pm

Original stems aren't too hard to find; either the 777 or the 888 will work, as will the Dill #16. They all have the same thread, but sometimes the threads are a little bunged up. A year or so ago, I had a run of dies made to chase the threads on the original stems. I can have a second run made if there's enough interest. I posted an ad to that effect but only got two or three guys signed up. Maybe I should re-post.

I may be mistaken, but believe the small stem is a common thread that I have used to chase the threads.

This seller on Ebay has a variety of Schrader metal stems and other parts. Not sure if any of them are true Schrader 777 or not, you need to contact him first and verify.

I have no connection to the seller or the listings, just providing the link as a service.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/sammkennedy/m. ... 7675.l2562

The thread is 13/32 x 28. I don't think that's commonly available, but the bigger issue is that with the two flat sides on the stems, the typical round die won't work well. The ones I had made were designed to work with the two flats.

I wish someone would make tubes with just the hole, so we can put our own stems in.

Original Smith wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 23, 2021 11:19 am

I wish someone would make tubes with just the hole, so we can put our own stems in.

Totally agree. My mind has been coming back to this same thought often this past week.

Andy

I wish someone would make tubes with just the hole, so we can put our own stems in.

Not going to happen. Not enough demand to make it worthwhile. We'll just have to stick with cutting off rubber stems.

Yep, I thought of that many times. But I suppose you are right, Steve. However, if we could get "them" to leave out the brass tube and the valves when they make those rubber stems, well, we may not be in hog heaven but we'd be right next door.

When the tubes were originally made, they must have only had the hole, and the valve stem was put in later. I wonder if this was done by hand, as we have to do now, or if they had a machine that did it. Next question, when did the industry begin making rubber valve stems? I'm going to guess mid 1930's?

The information I have received is, that, for example a 1912, would have used a larger diameter valve stem. If that information is correct, and the numbers listed above are for later stems, what would the number(s) be for the earlier stems? A friend has a 12 that new spokes and fellows were installed, the sleeves used, the later style stems have a lot of empty space around them.

Until about October of 1920, the T used not only 2 sizes of tires (excepting the demountables) but 2 sizes of valve stems. The 30 x 3 tubes used stems that were 3" long and threaded 13/32" x 28. The 30 x 3-1/2s used stems 3-3/8" and 15/32" x 26. This larger stem was discontinued and declared obsolete on 11-18-20; thereafter, all tubes used the smaller stem.

I learned something new today! I had no idea that early 30 x 3 and 30 x 3.5 tubes used different size metal stems. Thank you!

My 1912 Flanders has 30 x 3 tires in front and 30 x 3.5 tires in the rear. I wonder if it should also have different tube stem sizes? Right now it has rubber stem tubes with the fake, screw-on brass dust covers (which look pretty darn convincing, BTW).

Not only did Ford use some stems of the wider size, at least for a time, but there were many dozens of car makers using stems of both widths and various lengths. If I had a show car perhaps I would insist on correct 777 stems, but I don't show, so I use the incorrect (wider) 724 and 725 because: 1 they are very plentiful and easy to find; 2 my reproduction dust covers fit them; 3 original dust covers to fit them are also plentiful and easy to find. Currently I'm using mostly rubber stem tubes with 724 and 725 stems installed, and one EEC metal stem tube (also the wider stem). I have no idea where I got that one.

I think I sent you the EEC metal stem tube, Steve. I will have more used 725 size metal stem tubes available next year once I complete my switchover to Schrader 777 stems installed in cut-off rubber stem tubes.

It's a lot easier to use the correct valve stems. Why, because you don't have to spend the extra time needed to screw the dust cover from the top all the way down. In addition, the incorrect valve stems weigh more, and balance is important.

Another viewpoint - I suspect it is hard to match the quality of a factory installed metal valve stem for sealing. Yes, they are bigger and the valve covers do add more weight but there is a way to deal with it. I've used balance beads in all my tubes and never noticed the slightest indication of an "out of balance" condition. For someone who intends to drive their car on tour it might be a better choice. For those who want a car that is as true to original as possible, then replacing the stems with originals would seem the proper choice.

The valve stem covers on my car are only threaded at the opening and only thread onto the lock nut at the rim. No part of the threads touch the valve stem at all.

The valve stem covers on my car are only threaded at the opening and only thread onto the lock nut at the rim.

I think all covers are threaded only at the opening. Some thread onto the lock nut and some thread onto the stem. When half the world's cars were Fords the other half were dozens of makes, so there's a wide variety of stems, nuts, and covers.

Period catalog from an auto parts supplier. Lists the Schrader 777 for the little tires. 3" and smaller.

And the 725 for the big tires. Larger than 3". Couple of stem lengths for felloe thickness, and small length #1822 for wire wheels.




And the 2026 (rim nut) Bushing pictured is for the 777 stem, the 2081 Hexagon Rim Nut for the larger 725

All the problems with fitting dust covers on a variety of stems go away if you use Dill covers with the internal sliding thread that engages the small thread right on the end of all stems.

Allan from down under.