Rubber Tubes

dmdeaton · Post by **dmdeaton** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 2:12 pm

I have 5 tubes from Snyder's that are in plastic and not marked as country of origin or manufacturer. The base of the valve stem measures 5/8".
The specs on the Hartford's from Coker's website are:

This is a 440/450-20/21 tube with a TR135 center rubber stem. Recommended application is for Bias Ply tires and the recommended tire fitment is for a 440/450-20/21 tire. Fits 440-450 width, 20-21 inch diameter tires. This auto inner tube has a TR135 rubber stem and the valve stem location is center. TR135 stem is rubber stem 2 5/8 inch tall with 5/8 inch diameter at the base. Actual item may differ from photo. Coker Tire Company features a huge selection of vintage auto accessories online. Hartford brand tubes are built to meet our specifications using premium grade materials.

So, rubber stem will not seat fully into 1/2" hole in rims. They seat only so far and if you force any further they air up and you cannot get them back out without almost destroying the tube. What are you all doing besides running metal stem tubes? Or, better yet, what am I doing wrong?

dmdeaton · Post by **dmdeaton** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 2:12 pm

Post by **TWrenn** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 2:20 pm

I doubt you're doing anything wrong. I think it's more of a "re-pop" issue than anything.
If it were me, I'd just make the hole bigger, be sure to smooth the edges thoroughly. I've had the
same issue with my non-demountables, and judicial "surgery" caused the cure!

Post by **RajoRacer** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 2:21 pm

Consider drilling the rim/wheel hole larger to accommodate OR get metal stem tubes. I drilled out 21" split rims for those larger r.s. tubes - not the "proper" fix but !

dmdeaton · Post by **dmdeaton** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 2:45 pm

Yes, I am good with the surgery. This is a driver and I will fit the stems. Seems like all the repops are the same size.

Post by **Oldav8tor** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 5:07 pm

I drilled mine out - 3000+ miles without trouble.

Post by **DHort** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 5:30 pm

I took a razor blade to the stems and slowly removed a lot of that extra rubber. Holding up so far.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 6:17 pm

If your rims are powder coated, the hole created by drilling will have to be treated to prevent rust.
Allan from down under.

Post by **Scott C.** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 1:17 am

The new tubes that I bought from Summit with my new Firestone tires also have the larger stems. So, I had my new rims made with 5/8" stem holes.

Post by **Original Smith** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 10:52 am

Why take an original Ford part an modify it to accommodate a part that was made incorrectly in the first place?

dmdeaton · Post by **dmdeaton** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 11:58 am

Original Smith wrote: ↑
Sat Jan 23, 2021 10:52 am
Why take an original Ford part an modify it to accommodate a part that was made incorrectly in the first place?

Because there are no small stem tubes available. Seems like 5/8" is the going standard now. Tubes widely available. Not that the part was made incorrectly, manufacturers make what makes them money. I am not going to spend $60-100 a tube for special order. That statement can be said for about every reproduction part on the market, at least a greater percentage. It is what we have to deal with in this hobby. If you dont restore for a living, or at least have done several cars, this is a learning curve. Sure, I like to find OEM parts whenever I can. Fitting up large drum brake shoes is a chore after a reline, depending on what parts you choose. My cars are drivers, not point cars, and the parts I used to build them might have ended up in a scrap pile until I started a big enough pile to build something. Its all availability, time, and $$.

Post by **NU2theT** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 2:47 pm

Good subject Danny as I have a set of wire wheels that will be powder coated this spring.

With a new tube I will check the fit to get the stem holes drilled out for the larger O.D. stem tubes and coating.

Post by **Steve Jelf** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 3:22 pm

Just cut off the rubber stems and use old metal ones.

Scott_Conger · Post by **Scott_Conger** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 3:26 pm

For around $38 you can buy a Hartford brand METAL stemmed tube 440/450-20/21 from Coker Tire and not butcher your wheels. Installed with the correct hardware, which is NOT available to you for a rubber stemmed tube, you are not going to slip the tube or cut off the stem. I have used Hartford 30x3 and 30x3 1/2 tubes with great success and so far have not had a single failure on any which I have installed, and all have been subjected to significant touring. I would expect the same from them on balloon tires.

Yes, they are more expensive than the $19 rubber stemmed version for wire wheels, but if you had clincher rims, you'd find that the best price was not $19, but about $34 for rubber stems, so the vast majority of hobbiests are spending that kind of $$ anyway. I'm not wealthy by any means, but if I can put metal stemmed tubes in my original wheels and not butcher them, that's the choice I would make personally.

I only mention this because the thread's direction is as though there is no alternative to drilling wheels, and there really is...

Post by **RajoRacer** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 4:25 pm

That was my suggestion above Scott - metal stem tubes.

Scott_Conger · Post by **Scott_Conger** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 5:34 pm

Steve, yeah, missed that completely

Post by **RajoRacer** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 6:17 pm

Figured as much Scott - mine all use metal stem but the Racer which 30 years ago when I built it, one could get the correct sized rubber stems !

dmdeaton · Post by **dmdeaton** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 8:16 pm

I agree somewhat with you all. Tell me what all I need if I want to use metal stem balloon tubes? There are 3 pieces needed? Sheet metal piece, and 2 nuts?

I have 4 old rusty rims for normal driving and 4 restored red rims for Sunday. I might try the metal stems on the Sunday rims.

Post by **Steve Jelf** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 8:29 pm

...if you had clincher rims, you'd find that the best price was not $19, but about $34 for rubber stems.

30 x 3½ rubber stem tubes are $22.50 from Lang's. 21" rubber stem tubes are $24.95. Metal stem tubes in both sizes are $37.95. For the difference of $14 each I'm perfectly willing to buy rubber stems, cut them off, and install my own metal stems. I've never paid more than $3 for one at a swap meet. They are usually less.

Scott_Conger · Post by **Scott_Conger** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 9:03 pm

Steve

check the latest on-line catalogue...you'll have to add $10 to that

dmdeaton · Post by **dmdeaton** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 9:34 pm

Can someone show me the proper way to install the bridge washer?

Post by **RajoRacer** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 9:42 pm

Drop the bridge washer onto the stem with the "wings" pointing up, install nut and cinch down tight.

Post by **Henry K. Lee** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 9:45 pm

I use motorcycle 21" tubes and they are DOT rated. Imagine that.

Post by **Steve Jelf** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 11:12 pm

check the latest on-line catalogue...you'll have to add $10 to that.

Wow! $32.95 for rubber stems and $49.95 for metal. So the difference is now $17. All the more reason to buy rubber and cut them off.

Blockley 30 x 3½ tubes are metal stem only, and at £29 they're now $10 less than Lang's.

But Coker's 30 x 3½ rubber stems are $21.92. Looks like those are the way to go. But I would see what brand they are before ordering.

Post by **varmint** » Sat Jan 23, 2021 11:48 pm

I got tubes with rubber stems from Lucas for about $15 and they all fit our 21" rims perfectly.

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