Tire Selection

[pjbowman]

Thanks Keith! And I agree on the 16s as you can tell from my posts.....
   
   
   Peter

[pjbowman]

Longstone does indeed offer a discount to ACOC members, and I have placed my order for 4 of the Avon Turbosteel 165HR16s! Even with shipping, it's cheaper than buying them here in the US...go figure. Looking forward to seeing how the car rides and handles with them on. Thanks for all the recommendations!
   
   Peter

[AC Ace Bristol]

Peter
   Seriously you should find the Avons do suit the Ace and Aceca.  Good Choice, glad they are cheaper inclusive of carriage than in USA.
   
   Over the past few years I have experimented with tyre pressures with the Avon Turbosteel and find for fast road use, I run the following pressures:
   
   Front    28Lbs.       Rear    30lbs
   Track use increase pressure by a few lbs.
   
   22lbs  & 24lbs as per AC manual for crossplys results in tyre squeel, much too soft  for Radials.
   
   Bill Griffith in Tasmania tried various pressures and came to similar conclusions.( about 30psi )
   My Ace BEX333 is fitted with a TR6 antiroll bar up front, is your Ace /Aceca similarly equiped? No rear anti roll bar fitted, Andy Shepherd runs anti roll bars (Swaybars) front and rear on the track with 15 inch rims, but not comfortable for road use.
   
   Why buy 4? Do you not carry a spare?  Or do you carry tyre levers and puncture repair kit.  Touch wood even in Germany last year 2141 miles in 8 days I didnt have a flat, but A few members have had punctures 300 / 1000 miles from home. Better safe than Sorry.
   
   Keith

[pls01]

Peter,
   I assume you bought new tubes and rim strips/tape also.
   
   Check the size of the stem.  When I replaced mine, the new stems were much smaller than the hole in the rim.  I was concerned about chaffing.  The vintage tire supplier had special grommets that are specifically for this problem.  The grommets are made from plastic and have a smooth radius to protect the tube from the edge of the hole.  Don't want a stem getting cut.  The tire will go flat quickly at the most inopportune moment.
   
   Longstone seems very well versed in vintage tires.  They probably have this all sorted
   
   Peter S

[pls01]

Keith
   
   I concluded that the manual has a typographic error.  Instead of 22 and 24, it should read 32 and 34.
   
   Peter S

[pjbowman]

Keith - my spare is basically new, so trying to control costs a little! I'll get new tubes/rim bands/etc. over here, they're easy to come by. There's a wonderful shop not too far from me that is known conytry-wide for its wire wheel experence, they shave and balance the tires and wheels, removing all shake at any speed. They've done several sets for me in the past, once the tires arrive they'll go to the shop to let them do their magic.
   
   I've always run my radials at 30 psi,and have been quite pleased with the reults. May have to experiment a little with the Avons to see what works best.
   
   Thanks agian to all!
   
   Peter

[Gus Meyjes]

Just a little extra comment on tires here: My rims are Dayton and they are suited for tubeless tires. Like I said I have the Vredesteins and I have them inflated at 45 pounds with Nitrogen. They have been great and have not lost any pressure in 2 years.
   
   Gus

[AC Ace Bristol]

quote:Originally posted by pls01
   
Keith
   
   I concluded that the manual has a typographic error.  Instead of 22 and 24, it should read 32 and 34.
   
   Peter S
   

   
   Peter S
   
   No typo, Cross-plies were always run at much lower pressures, different construction and different characteristics especially regards to side wall flexing.
   
   Gus
   
   Dayton wire wheels,  interesting that you don't need tubes, how do they seal the spokes to the rim ??
   45psi ?? I would have thought you would ware the centre tread out PDQ and skit all over the road.
   A different driving experience....... In England the Roads are too bad to run that hard and negotiating roundabouts would prove entertaining to say the least. mind you it would be even worse on French Roads.
   
   I'll stick to the well tested 30PSI, thank you and leave you paying your dentist to refill your teeth every few weeks.
   
   Keith

[AC Ace Bristol]

Peter S
   
   I use Racing inner tubes,  expensive at £30/£35 a piece but they are really well made and have large brass and rubber reinforced valve stems, never leak or chaff.
   
   Keith

[pls01]

Keith
   
   You have a point on the tire pressure typo.  For comparison, I checked an old Jaguar XK120 manual.  On 6.00x16 Dunlop RoadSpeed crossplies, the normal tire pressure is 25psi.  For "maximum handling", it recommends 35psi.  The Jag is a much heavier car on only slightly larger tires so crossplies do seem to need less pressure.
   
   Wasn't the Ace always on radials?  Mine was delivered new with Michelin X's.  Did they neglect to update the manual?
   
   The racing tubes sound like the ticket.  I remember original tubes had metal threaded stems with metal reinforcement at the tube wall and lock nuts.  I could not find them 10 years ago in the proper size.
   
   Peter S

[AC Ace Bristol]

Racing tubes should be available from Longstone or equivelent,  make sure you buy correct size tubes for the tyres being fitted and tighten the lock nut on the valve stem to rim firmly in place after tyre is inflated, movement of valve stem during inflation ensures correct seating and releases trapped air.
   
   Fitting too small a tube they arent working as intended and fitting oversize they will crease and chaff inside the tyre and eventually overheat and fail. (Caution reference aspect ratio / tyre cross section)
   
   Talc Powder or similar also stops the tube sticking to  inside  (Galvanised rubber) of the tyre again when tyre flexes especially on cornering the heat generated or chaffing will result in failure of tube, deflation and potential accident / incident  =  ££££$$$$ and heart ache.
   
   Keith

[Gus Meyjes]

I have had no problems with rattle, wear, or any of the above. The care rides very well that way. You might be surprised. Although it appears that a friend of mine had more problems with his teeth resulting from his ride in my car....

[nikbj68]

Oh dear, Gus... I hope you`re not one of his 'indiscretions'...and this is the start of a megabucks Kiss'n'tell campaign!!!

[Gus Meyjes]

Nik BJ?
   
   I rest my case....[:)]

[nikbj68]

Bernard John!!!!
   ROFL!