Bias ply or radials?

[hemidart1]

I just want a few opinions. I bought new wheels and tires last summer with radials. While they drive nice it still bugs me to look at them. My last few cars had bias ply tires-and yes they rode and handled not as well.

here is the car:


I don't drive it any farther than 2 hours to a show-farther than that I have a car trailer.

I was thinking of running 6.95-15 Silvertown blackwalls up front and a ribbed cheater slick out back.

thoughts/opinions?

 

[HT413]

If it's like mine, it handles like a bass boat either way, so go for the bias ply.

 

[wedge69]

Coker make tire's that look like Bia's but are radials

 

[HawkRod]

Coker make tire's that look like Bia's but are radials

X2

These cars need all the help they can get in the handling department...

 

[jim496]

I have been working with tires for 40yrs... There is NO WAY I would not have radials on my car unless all I did was race it... The ride, handling, lack of wonder, tire wear, traction (wet and dry) also flat tires, are almost immeasureable.... in comparison. Probably even cost, stick with the radials

 

[Dennis H]

X2

These cars need all the help they can get in the handling department...

Which Coker tire?

 

[Propwash]

IMO, I'd say you have to be half nuts for even contemplating going back to a Bias-ply...those belong on a hay wagon.

But, your money, your car, your taste's, do what makes you happy.

 

[ODZKing]

I echo what propwash said.
When I bought my 67 it had bias-plys on it including the spare. I can only assume they were quite old. So I decided at the time, well they are correct for the car, I'll leave them on.
I git to one stop light where a fellow decided to gun it on the yellow and run the red.
I tried to stop and literally slid into the intersection. I will not use them ever, again. I know they have a certain look but sorry they are like roller skates and unsafe imho.
Coker: http://www.cokertire.com/searchbyat...m_diameter=0&sidewall_style=0&tire_type=10436

 

[eric383]

I really like the looks of bias ply tires but the driveability of radials. I went with radials on my 63 for that reason. Back in the day all we had were bias ply and we didn't know any better so in the end get what you want and drive accordingly. I still have drum brakes all the way around and drive with that in mind when I have to stop.

 

[67 coronet]

unless you are shooting for a concourse quality resto there is no reason to run bias tires.as jim496 said there is no comparison on far to many levels to even mention.as others have said there are brands that give the look of bias but have radial design.so now even looks dont come into it.

 

[67GTX440]

The three concessions I have decided to make for my restoration are radial tires, the addition of front disk brakes and a modern A/C compressor as opposed to that thing Chrysler mounted on the top of the engine the size of a Pinto block.

 

[ODZKing]

that thing Chrysler mounted on the top of the engine the size of a Pinto block.

LOL!!!!!
Yeah, I replaced it with the new compressor as well

 

[Cranky]

If it's like mine, it handles like a bass boat either way, so go for the bias ply.

I got my 66 Belvedere /6 car to handle pretty decent with 235-75 radials mounted on 7" cop car wheels. I also lowered it some but it didn't have sway bars either. I know a V8 car will be more mushy but with better shocks and bars, it can handle pretty good too.

 

[satellite66]

LOL!!!!!
Yeah, I replaced it with the new compressor as well

Where did you get that compressor? I yanked the old compressor out of my 66 Satellite and was just going to go without. I can't stand the way the old compressor takes up the whole engine bay. Well it looks like it does anyway to me.

 

[ODZKing]

Where did you get that compressor? I yanked the old compressor out of my 66 Satellite and was just going to go without. I can't stand the way the old compressor takes up the whole engine bay. Well it looks like it does anyway to me.

So much was not working that I purchased the entire under-hood kit from Classic Auto Air.
But they are a fairly common compressor now. Sanden is who make the one I got http://www.sanden.com/ but you would probably need other items to go with it like the hoses etc.
http://www.classicautoair.com/
http://nostalgicac.com/compressors.html
http://www.oldairproducts.com/catalog/

 

[YY1]

RV2s are just BADASS. Who else but Mopar would make an a/c comp that would be a good mini-bike engine?

Moving on...

My bro-in-law was hell bent on running bias ply...until about a week after driving on them.

I tried to explain, but sometimes "tough love" is the way to go.

I will say this- I really enjoyed driving my Super Bee with radials on the front and big, wide bias on the back.

It was great for steering with the throttle (and no following of lines in the road), but I have to assume the loss of traction at launch was a bad thing for ET.

 

[hemi#1]

on my 65 satellite I am running bias tires. radials did not come out until @ 1971 I worked at a tire store and the salesman was just starting to push them. old school. they came out after mine was built

 

[65 Plymouth Satellite 426]

Definitely Radials!

 

[roadrunnerh]

Well, my experience with bias plys was a real eye opener. Back in 1991, I purchased a '68 GTX which had bias ply Goodyears all the way around (wish I still had it), anyways, I was driving it home on the highway and gettig on it a little - I almost killed myself and nearly wiped out the car. Those tires were the first thing I changed on that car. I love the look of bias plys, but they suck in the handling dept.

 

[CM23K]

BF Goodrich came out with domestic made radials in 1965. Michelin had them in US earlier. Most other domestic manufacturers had them in some form by 1967/68. Goodyear pushed the Polyglas belted beginning about 1967/68 because they were behind in radial technology and the Polyglas were vastly superior to the older bias ply. Granted, only the Michelins and maybe the second generation BFG (1967 or 68) were up to par before about 1970. But none of those were even close to current production radials in performance. Also be aware, most of the bias reproduction are not up to current tire production standards - mostly still using manual labor / old equipment / old technology / old quality control. Fine for Show, but not on my car for Go. Go radials.