MTFCA Forum

I here so much talk of innertubes not being any count these days. I am getting ready to mount a new set of 450-21, Had already purchased new tubes back in 2015. Opened them up today, and they say, "Made In EEC", but no brand on the tube. Are they worth installing? Give me some opinions.

EEC is European, not 'Chinese'

Hard to know? Tubes remained folded in plastic bags for seven to ten years? They may be just fine, I would try them. However, first check all around where the tubes have been folded. Sometimes, they will crack in those areas. And once they start? They are probably toast. I had a couple new tubes that got lost in the shop for a similar amount of time. I found a crack, patched it. Then found another, patched it. When I aired it up, I found a couple more, but it still didn't look bad, so I patched a couple more cracks. Within a couple days sitting with just light pressure? It was done-for.
The best way to store tubes is aired up in a tire! I have had tubes probably sixty years old been in a tire the whole time? Still hold air.
Other than folds, three more things that can accelerate tubes failing. UV light, extreme temperatures, and ozone. If kept in a cool dark place? And if there is nothing nearby generating ozone? They may last for years. I suspect the ones I misplaced in my shop? Were behind my antique metal lathe that I used occasionally. It was a cool dark place, but whenever I run that lathe, I can smell the ozone!

Going thru my stash of parts, that I have just purchased this spring from a local estate. Found some more new tubes. Which have no brand but say made in the USA. But I have no Idea how old they are. But I do not see any dry cracks around stems or creases. So now, what do I do? Use the EEC's or these Made in USA.

The USA tube in the picture looks OK to use. I would look each one over very carefully before installing. The best practice would be to buy fresh new high quality tubes. Rubber decays over time.

Heart of the Ozarks Antique Auto Parts was in Marshfield Missouri and has not sold new Model T parts in decades. I think I still have one of their catalogs from the early 1990's. I would not be surprised if those tubes are from that vintage.

When I leave old tubes out, they crack @ the folds in no time.(rubber pile) I think the air does em in.

My new & spare tubes get packed in a zip lock bag with a generous coat of talc. Some I carry in each T for road spares.
They have stayed good for over a decade. Some are very old re-patched tubes. No fold cracks or visual deterioration.

EEC represents the European Economic Community. I believe it became widely used to blur the distinction between older western nations like Britain and Germany and the newly emerging eastern European nations from the communist bloc. It may mean that the tubes were manufactured in one of the newer European economies.
I have no idea if this reflects at all on the quality of the item, but it is likely better than the rubbish of the past decade or so.

Allan from own under.