How long will tires keep ?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
How long will tires keep ?
Getting a little worried I won't be able to buy the same tires in a few years.
My question is if I bought them now how long could I keep them in storage
( does the rubber go bad, crack discolor etc. ) or is this even a problem ?
My question is if I bought them now how long could I keep them in storage
( does the rubber go bad, crack discolor etc. ) or is this even a problem ?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Re: How long will tires keep ? (MotorHead)
The bottom line is that the rubber compound eventually oxidizes. You can slow the process by storing the tires in a cool, dry place with no exposure to sunlight (yeah, kind of like a root cellar). There are no real preservatives that will help and all of the tire dressings just make the tires look better, but not last longer. You can easily get 10 years in a good storage location.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: How long will tires keep ? (MotorHead)
I would think that tires would keep for a long time (many years). I think I've read that they shouldn't be stored on their sides or in direct sunlight. I'm sure there's more info than that out on the Web.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 1
From: Reno nevada
Re: How long will tires keep ? (MotorHead)
I have friends with 60's muscle cars and they only bring them out for shows. One in particlular has a set of Red line bias plys for his 440 six pack Cuda to keep it all original. He told me that those tires that look brand new are from the early to mid 70's and he keeps them in plastic bags in the dark in his garage. Then he drives to shows and mounts the red lines. He only uses no touch rubber cleaner and they don't even have little tiny age spits in them.
That's an extreme case!
That's an extreme case!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: How long will tires keep ? (Lt1er)
I have friends with 60's muscle cars and they only bring them out for shows. One in particlular has a set of Red line bias plys for his 440 six pack Cuda to keep it all original. He told me that those tires that look brand new are from the early to mid 70's and he keeps them in plastic bags in the dark in his garage. Then he drives to shows and mounts the red lines. He only uses no touch rubber cleaner and they don't even have little tiny age spits in them.
That's an extreme case!
That's an extreme case!
:eek: That is Insane!!!!!! why not just buy new ones from Coker tires??I did not know that #'s matching tires was that important.........!!
[Modified by Alwyn678, 1:23 PM 1/29/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 1
From: Deep in the Heart of Dixie Alabama
Re: How long will tires keep ? (Alwyn678)
Alwyn678 is correct. Just buy what you want from Coker tire Co. They have all the old designs.
Just make sure you get the right size. I have a friend with a '67 and he ordered the size his manual called for and they scrubed underneath the fender.
He realized the problem after only one block. Coker said could not take back a tire now as they are used. Said it was probally the different shocks that caused the difference.
[Modified by bamavettes, 2:50 PM 1/29/2002]
Just make sure you get the right size. I have a friend with a '67 and he ordered the size his manual called for and they scrubed underneath the fender.
He realized the problem after only one block. Coker said could not take back a tire now as they are used. Said it was probally the different shocks that caused the difference.
[Modified by bamavettes, 2:50 PM 1/29/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 33
From: Texas-out west
Re: How long will tires keep ? (MotorHead)
Just don't put them in your attic, I put some new tires up there and after 3 years one of them had bad crack in tread. Texas heat may have helped. :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 17,102
Likes: 7
From: Fair Oaks, OK
Re: How long will tires keep ? (MotorHead)
I've got a set of 4 BFG 255/60/15 Radial T/A's that are almost 10 years old in storage. They've always been kept in a dry cool dark environment. The only problem with them is that the RWL's have dulled a bit, and the brownish haze will NOT come off.
My 'vette has 19 year old Goodyear Eagle GT tires on it right now. The only problem I am having with them is that they are wearing awfully quickly.
My 'vette has 19 year old Goodyear Eagle GT tires on it right now. The only problem I am having with them is that they are wearing awfully quickly.
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 1
From: Regina Saskatchewan, Canada.
Re: How long will tires keep ? (MotorHead)
Getting a little worried I won't be able to buy the same tires in a few years.
My question is if I bought them now how long could I keep them in storage
( does the rubber go bad, crack discolor etc. ) or is this even a problem ?
My question is if I bought them now how long could I keep them in storage
( does the rubber go bad, crack discolor etc. ) or is this even a problem ?
[Modified by Stingy74, 7:19 PM 1/29/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,900
Likes: 2
From: Green Cove Springs FL
Re: How long will tires keep ? (MotorHead)
Hey motor, why are you worried about not being able to get the BFGs in the future? Are they going to discontinue them?
I e-mailed you asking this, but it bounced saying that you're mailbox is over its quota. I was also wanting some pictures of your vette with your BFG tires from different angles if you have time to send some. Thanks MotorHead!
I e-mailed you asking this, but it bounced saying that you're mailbox is over its quota. I was also wanting some pictures of your vette with your BFG tires from different angles if you have time to send some. Thanks MotorHead!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 5,210
Likes: 104
From: Fort Worth TX
St. Jude Donor '06
Father & Son St. Jude Donor '09
Re: How long will tires keep ? (Simon Alexander)
My 'vette has 19 year old Goodyear Eagle GT tires on it right now. The only problem I am having with them is that they are wearing awfully quickly.
None-the-less, I put new rubber on it right away. I didn't want to risk them separating and cracking a fender.
[Modified by 74-Roadster, 3:05 PM 2/12/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 39
From: North Brunswick NJ
Re: How long will tires keep ? (MotorHead)
I just sold my original tires from my 72 to a friend that needed them for NCRS judging. All the tires that Coker sells are not the original configuration that was delivered with early Corvettes.The Firestone Wide Oval is one in particular. The 72 tires were in good shape , no cracks or obvious damage. They were stored in plastic bags in the attic of my grarge.
Uv light and ozone are the prime enemy of the tires and would not recommend using or driving 20-30 year old tires. I made my friend promise me that the tires I sold him would not be driven and would only be used for show. I could not tell you how long new tires will last as the new rubber componds are much better than 5-10 years ago. I would guess 5-10 years if treated properly.
Ed
Uv light and ozone are the prime enemy of the tires and would not recommend using or driving 20-30 year old tires. I made my friend promise me that the tires I sold him would not be driven and would only be used for show. I could not tell you how long new tires will last as the new rubber componds are much better than 5-10 years ago. I would guess 5-10 years if treated properly.
Ed
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 405
Likes: 31
From: Houston, Texas
Re: How long will tires keep ? (MotorHead)
FYI
I am still carrying the original spare on my 72. No cracks, splits or discoloration and still holds air. Must be the dark and ozone free climate of the tub under the car.
I am still carrying the original spare on my 72. No cracks, splits or discoloration and still holds air. Must be the dark and ozone free climate of the tub under the car.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: FL
Re: How long will tires keep ? (MotorHead)
Well, rather than try to buy 15" tires you could always get new wheels that fit modern tires. That's what I'm about to do.
Digital trial-fit:
BFG gforce TA/KDW 255-45-17 on 8" Boyd's for the front, 285-40-17 on 9.5" for the rear.
-Noel
[Modified by Noel Carboni, 4:17 AM 2/13/2002]
Digital trial-fit:
BFG gforce TA/KDW 255-45-17 on 8" Boyd's for the front, 285-40-17 on 9.5" for the rear.
-Noel
[Modified by Noel Carboni, 4:17 AM 2/13/2002]
