Radial Inner Tubes - Factory Wire Wheels

[Alan H. Tast]

Alan, I did 4 wheels with less than two rolls, so you'll be in the clear with 5 rolls for sure.

You'll probably want to keep some of that tape around for other uses, it's incredible stuff in general.

Considering that I have two full sets of wires (including spare wheels), that may not be a bad idea. I'll leave three with the tire store for the 4 + spare.

[Joe Johnston]

It looks like the splicing tape I had at work. if so, it stretches and has no adhesive. The stretch keeps it in position and eventually makes a bond to itself. I have used it and works well. Also go to NAPA or others and order container of Tire & Tube Talc. Should be less than $15 and is the right stuff instead of baby powder.

[ICON 1956]

Alan, When I had my 61, I used the same 3M tape not cheap ! and did it myself. I used approx 2 1/2 rolls. I did not do the spare, it was on the original rim. I also gave the technician the Tire/Tube talcum powder and helped him. We removed the inner tags and I also placed a light dusting inside the inner tire walls.. I have had no problems with any air leaking even when I had her stored in my garage over the winter months.

[Alan H. Tast]

Okay, now comes the stupid question. When you all have taped the rims, did you just tape over the portion with the nipples, or did you tape the whole inner face of the rim?

[stove]

Pretty sure just the nipples portion (for me anyway), but do you have a pic of a rim, so I can refresh my memory 100%?

Thanks!

[ICON 1956]

Alan to answer you question, I taped every nipple and then some past the nipple rows, Just about every shinny chrome rim exposed. except near the edge of the rim. Since then I never had a flat tire. when my front end was shot I replaced the control arm and all the rubber bushings and the front shocks front alignment. The front end would vibrate when I came to a stop.Before the rebuild, The tires held up no loss of air, I guess I did a good job with the 3M tape insulating the inner tube from the nipples.

[Alan H. Tast]

Good news is the tubes are at the tire shop and they can start changing things out. Bad news is they didn't have tire/tube talc powder, and NOBODY in Omaha had any, either - even NAPA's national network didn't have any (manufacturer has it on backorder). I ended up ordering a pound of the stuff from Grainger to have delivered to my office tomorrow from Kansas City.

On top of that, I asked them to dismount one tire to see if any liner was present. Without the talc, they couldn't get the tire off the rim without the inner tube interfering or grabbing. The tire guy wants to cut the old tube out then remove the tire casing from the rim - fine by me, tubes are 20+ years old, anyway, and I wouldn't want to reuse them except for patch material. By the time they get four tires dismounted and tubes out I should have the talc for them to liberally dust the inside of the tires, rims wrapped with rubber tape and tubes. Pictures later...

[tbird]

Alan

Refer to my post at the bottom of page 1 for extent of taping.

[Alan H. Tast]

1 - Bare rim before application of Lineman's Tape

1 - Bare rim before application of Lineman's Tape

1 - Bare rim before application of Lineman's Tape

Alan

Refer to my post at the bottom of page 1 for extent of taping.

That's what I get for not re-reading previous posts...

Let's see what pictures I can attach to this to show today's "progress"

1 - Bare rim before application of Lineman's Tape

1 - Bare rim before application of Lineman's Tape

1 - Bare rim before application of Lineman's Tape

1 - Bare rim before application of Lineman's Tape

[Alan H. Tast]

Alan

Refer to my post at the bottom of page 1 for extent of taping.

That's what I get for not re-reading prior posts from tbird

[stove]

Alan, yes indeed, I only covered the nipples with the tape.

[ICON 1956]

Alan, Seeing the picture with the KH rims did you clean off all the rust around inside the rim/s ?

[Alan H. Tast]

By the time I got to look at the wheels yesterday to deliver the talc powder they had all the rims wrapped except for one. The assistant manager noted that the inside of the rims that came off the car were in very good shape - much better than the spare rim I took pictures of that they wire-brushed. I go back over lunch today to see them mount one of the tires/tubes in order to document how they apply the talc powder, set the tube and mount the tire.

[ICON 1956]

So,.... I did not read if the rust was removed. I would have had the inside rims blasted with a sand blaster unit. if there was a sand blasting I'am so anal about the rust my question is if the rust is still on the inner rim how will the tape stick? I haven't gotten you to stay up thinking about it.

[Alan H. Tast]

So,.... I did not read if the rust was removed. I would have had the inside rims blasted with a sand blaster unit. if there was a sand blasting I'am so anal about the rust my question is if the rust is still on the inner rim how will the tape stick? I haven't gotten you to stay up thinking about it.

Wheel was wire brushed and hit with a Scotch-Brite disc/air drill before tape was applied. Tech said he used a heat gun to help get the tape to conform to the contours of the rim. The rest of the rims were in very good shape inside. Got tires/wheels back this afternoon and found out 3 of the rims did have the original liners but that they were worn through at some spokes, dry-rotted or torn when they tried to get them out. Will have pics to load later showing the dismounting/mounting process and finished product. Right now I need to leave the office, install the wheels and take it out for a test drive to find out if there's any problems with balancing.

Oh, and I found out the tires were date-coded for the 3rd week of 1991! I was driving on 27-year-old tires the whole time!! Plus they were Discount Tire's 'Sentry' series, which has evolved to a current 3rd generation but not available in P215/75R14 size today - ironic that I took the tires/wheels to a Discount Tire store in Omaha that didn't exist until a few years ago.