Hartford Tubes
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Original Smith
Topic author - Posts: 3699
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:43 am
- First Name: Larry
- Last Name: Smith
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 Touring, 13 Roadster, 17 Coupelet, 25 Roadster P/U
- Location: Lomita, California
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
Hartford Tubes
I have a current Hartford 30X3 1/2 tube. I don't recognize the valve stem as it has a different texture than the industry has been using forever. I've been cutting of the rubber valve stems for years, and replacing them with factory originals. I have had good luck doing this, and it makes me feel good that I have correct valve stems on my cars. I don't like the current offerings with brass valve stems, because the valve stems are too large. This would be something that was used in a Pierce Arrow. That extra weight would throw the wheel out of balance somewhat. The new rubber valve stem that I'm referring to looks like plastic, and I wonder if I will be able to continue cutting of this type of valve to achieve my needs?
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Steve Jelf
- Posts: 7237
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Jelf
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
- Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
- Board Member Since: 2007
- Contact:
Re: Hartford Tubes
I'd be surprised if there was no way to cut out the rubber stems. I do that too, but I use the 724/725 sized metal stems. If that changes the ride, it's so minor I haven't noticed it.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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Allan
- Posts: 6609
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
- First Name: Allan
- Last Name: Bennett
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
- Location: Gawler, Australia
Re: Hartford Tubes
Larry, you gladly change the rubber stem with a metal one, with no consideration for any balance problem, but the difference between metal stems is a problem? It would be interesting to measure the difference between the two operations.
Allan from down under.
Allan from down under.
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Original Smith
Topic author - Posts: 3699
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:43 am
- First Name: Larry
- Last Name: Smith
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 Touring, 13 Roadster, 17 Coupelet, 25 Roadster P/U
- Location: Lomita, California
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
Re: Hartford Tubes
What I'm after here is to find out what Coker is using for a valve stem. It appears to be plastic? I don't use modern valve stems in my cars, and have been replacing them for years with correct original metal valve stems. But now this. A plastic valve stem! Indeed. Can I cut it off as I have been, and wind up with a hole I can fit an original into? Why are reproductions always fighting us? I hope I'm wrong.
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Steve Jelf
- Posts: 7237
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Jelf
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
- Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
- Board Member Since: 2007
- Contact:
Re: Hartford Tubes
You can go ahead and try it. Two things can happen. 1 You can't install a metal stem, and you will be out the cost of the tube. 2 You can install a metal stem, and you will be out nothing. I would take that gamble to find out.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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Allan
- Posts: 6609
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
- First Name: Allan
- Last Name: Bennett
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
- Location: Gawler, Australia
Re: Hartford Tubes
I doubt it is plastic as we know it. It may be a different synthetic to the rest of the tube. If it is a little less prone to crushing by the nut and bridge washer of a metal stem, that is a good thing. It just might be a little harder to get the stem flange down the hole at first.
Allan from down under.
Allan from down under.
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Original Smith
Topic author - Posts: 3699
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:43 am
- First Name: Larry
- Last Name: Smith
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 Touring, 13 Roadster, 17 Coupelet, 25 Roadster P/U
- Location: Lomita, California
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
Re: Hartford Tubes
I finally removed the tube from the box. The valve stem has a bright black finish. Don't know why, but appears to be rubber. The tube says Hartford, 30X3 1/2, made in China. I'm willing to give it a try. At least when I finish it won't have the improper brass vulcanized too large valve stem, and will have a period correct Schrader, Dill, or Bridgeport valve stem installed in the tube the way Ford did it.