Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Why couldn't they mount them? What was the issue?

Mostly, lack of skill.

The inner lips of the bias ply tires are closer together than the radial tires. When they tried to fill the tires with air. they couldn't get the lips to seal to the wheel. The steel wheels are about 4 inches wide and the inner lip of the tire is maybe 1.5 inches wide (before stretching.. I'm sure there is a trick to getting it to work, but these guys couldn't figure.



Any tips would be appreciate.

I believe WAAAYYY back when, I seem to vaguely remember tires being mounted and they used a small rubber inner tube type donut of rubber, like a bike tube. They used the bike tube to seal it until the tire would pop into place when they inflated it, very rapidly. I could be dreaming this as I was a mere pup of a child when this was done. It was a very loud pop, I remember that much for sure.

I have seen both the compressed air ring used as well as a HD ratcheting hold down strap placed around the circumference of the tire cinched down enough to push the beads outward. The beads usually would seat enough without high pressure so that the strap could be removed before full inflation. Another, more creative, method involves spraying a flammable liquid (e.g. hair spray) into the space around the bead and lighting it. The explosion pops the bead into place. The trick is judging the amount to spray. I have only seen videos but it works - probably best watched from across the street! These clever young men get it right on their third try:
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Use a tire booster.

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Thanks for all the suggestions. The guys unsuccessfully tried to use a tires booster/blaster. I believe skill was the limiting factor.

However, the following (using a bike tires to seal the bead) looks to be the easiest way to remedy.

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You could do that at home and take the wheels and have them balanced at the shop. Personally I like the hair spray video. But I'm sure the white walls may catch a little scorch mark and defeat the purpose. But when the wheel popped I LOL!!

I've done them both and prefer to use starting fluid. Never had any trouble.. Works great on lawn tractor tires get the right mix and you don't even have to air them up!
Keith

Swapped out the plastic "DATSUN" letters on the hood with polished stainless steel ones fabricated by a fellow 311 member. Looks so much better!

I built Mark's Body Rack. I used 6 - 2x6's though. I could not figure out how to use 5.

Steve

Charlee0620 and I removed the frame off the parts car and stripped most of the good stuff off the shell. It's on the trailer ready for the scrap yard. It has rendered many good parts , but it's time to move on. There is only so much room available. If anyone is interested I have two good fenders and two good doors. Its's a '68.
Keith

Man, that body looks fine to me. If I were closer, I would take it.

Two new tires, to bring it to a total of four tires from this decade, and they were on clearance.

cktrap wrote:If anyone is interested I have two good fenders and two good doors. Its's a '68.
Keith

I need two '68 fenders so bad. Too bad I'm all the way up in MA.

Got the R16 block back from the machine shop. Bored .010, cleaned, new cam bearings, mains checked for size and alignment. Flywheel lightened but only a little (2.6lb). Shold be a good engine, mains and rods are standard bore, just polished the crank a little. Bores were got at standard but needed to bore to accept the H20 pistons.
Cleaned the bores, installed the H20 cam and lifters. Got the crank clearances checked and the thrust set (measures .0036). Main clearance is pretty consistent at .0016/.0018".
Hopefully, by the end of the weekend I'll have the pistons installed and can begin to button up the block.

I know it's Valentines weekend but hey, it's her car...

Dan

Intake and carbs are on, exhaust manifold installed. Throttle cable, gas line and filter in. Also installed the rear SS bumper, man what a nice piece!

Dash will be back from CA in a couple of weeks, then it's time for wiring and final bits and pieces before start up.