Valve Stem Extensions

[Tadpole]

Looking to do some learning today, so off to the forum I go!

I am putting new tubes on 20" split rims. I'd like to buy tubes made with metal valve stems (I don't trust my capabilities to fit my own valves) but can't find one with a long enough stem. Any idea where I could get valve stem extensions threaded for dust covers? Thanks!

[Humblej]

My modern brass valve stems measure 3.25", that should be plenty long for dust covers with split rims for most applications. Can you post a picture of your rims and wheels.

[Steve Jelf]

The modern valve stems vary in length. Measuring the ones I have, some are 2½" long and you would need no more than 1½" to be covered by the felloe, rim, and bridge washer to have enough protruding for a dust cover to get a grip. Others are 3" overall, which allows 2⅜" of bridge washer, rim and felloe. Looking at three kinds of wheels, I find that the rims and felloes together amount to about 1" on demountables (both clincher and split rim), and on a non-demountable about 1⅛". On all my wheels with metal stems, both original and modern, demountable and not, there is a lot of stem sticking out to hold the dust covers.

Are you using flaps? If so, that may be your problem. Balloon tires take rim liners, not flaps.

[WayneJ]

Both Auto Zone and Amazon carry "Slime" brand metal valve extenders. This might be what your looking for.

51p1VispIML._AC_SY580_.jpg (26.54 KiB) Viewed 1681 times

[Scott_Conger]

Tad

buy a set of vintage DILL covers. They screw onto the thread that the valve stem cap threads onto, and the part that screws onto the stem slides up/down within the dill cover and stays put when tightened down...meaning that a stem that protrudes from 1/2" to 2" will fit inside these:

They show up on eBay from time to time and I'd suggest you place a WANT AD in the Forum...you'll easily end up with a matched set of 4 and never worry again about a car with 4 completely different length tube stems...the DILLs will adjust and fit them all

good luck

[Allan]

Steve, you hsve it backwards. Flaps are used on split rims and lockrng type wheels like TT rears. Rim liners are used in clinchers.
There are cheap plastic valve extensions available, as shown. They can be most unreliable in operation, particularly with their ability to properly depress the valve core when inflating the tyre. Truck tyre dealers will have precision made brass extensions which are are of excellent quality, but come at a cost penalty.
The Dill cover a Scott shows are an excellent alternative.

Allan from down under.

[Steve Jelf]

Steve, you have it backwards. Flaps are used on split rims and locking type wheels like TT rears. Rim liners are used in clinchers.

I sit corrected. This is a historic occasion. It's the first time I've ever been wrong about anything.

[Tadpole]

I thank you all humbly for the help, all information is useful! Sometimes I don't start with the best questions, but getting answers to those helps me to ask more educated questions later. I was originally looking at the Coker truck tubes in 600/20 with the short metal stem, I am going to go with the long rubber stem and buy one extra to try my hand at fitting my own metal valve following Mr. Jelf's well known step-by-step guide.

[Allan]

Taa, if you use the Dill valve/dust covers shown, there is no need to replace the rubber stem!

Allan from down under.