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  • Champion engine ready to Roll!!!

    Have written some months ago of engine problems but now the great majority are solved -- the piston's are new, as well as a honed down head and new gaskets, so is the oil pump and re-directed oil filter, engine mounts, universal joint, and she runs beautifully.

    Also, I put in creature comforts of a rebuilt 'under seat heater' and defroster fed by hot water off the engine that works really well instead of the 'Southwind gas heater' that was fantastic but I discovered was an open furnace within the passenger compartment and could explode!!

    Later this week I expect to take her out for the first of 500 miles of slow driving to break in the new piston rings and all the new stuff.

    Today I spoke again to my mechanic who is a firm believer in 2 or 4 ply "orignal style tires" instead of the radials I have. I discovered that radials have a shelf life.

    I bought my tires 11 years ago in Santa Fe and even thought the car has only driven about 2500 miles in the 11 years, he says they are past their recommended life and need to be changed.

    You all need to know I now intend on really putting the car on the road, such as taking the auto train to florida, which will easily be 500 to 700 miles of driving each way, even with the train part, and also sometime soon, shipped to California (from New York where I live) so I can do some west coast exploring. I guess up and down the state is maybe 500 to 100 miles easily. This will be besides starting to rely on taking it a few hundred miles on a weekend many places, cause I like to explore.

    So do any of you have a strong opinion you want to share or recommend one way or the other regarding my tire choice?

    Much appreciated,

    Jim

    James Caspi
    1950 Champion Regal Deluxe-2 dr.
    New York, NY.


  • #2
    All tires have a shelf life. Bias ply tires are easier to steer. Radials have better traction if you have much power. If you have power steering, definitely go with radials. Or if you don't have power steering, you can run radials and jack up the tire pressure, making it steer easier, but wearing out the tire centers prematurely.

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    • #3
      I was a purist, put wide white wall bias ply tires on my 53 coupe. Drove it almost 10,000 miles in 5 years, hated every minute of it. I put radials on it and now it's a pleasure to drive. It doesn't try to climb out of ruts, It just goes straight down the road like it had good sense. Yes, tires have a timed life, no amount of no use will change that. If you want to be comfortable driving your car, and it sounds like you do intend to drive it, put radials on it.

      [img=left]http://www.alink.com/personal/tbredehoft/Avatar1.jpg[/img=left]
      Tom Bredehoft
      '53 Commander Coupe (since 1959)
      '55 President (6H Y6) State Sedan
      (Under Construction 571 hrs.)
      '05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
      All Indiana built cars

      Comment


      • #4
        its becoming obvious that radials are the proper driving experience. I may see if I can get wide white radials, so I have both the beauty and the comfort/safety. Jim

        James Caspi
        1950 Champion Regal Deluxe-2 dr.
        New York, NY.

        Comment


        • #5
          I have wide white radials by B.F. Goodrich on my 51 Champion, rides like a dream. They look relatively period-correct, while giving me a great ride and safety. They were less expensive than Cokers, and my local dealer was able to get them in 2 days.

          Las Vegas, NV - Stop by, coffee's on!
          '51 Champion Business Coupe G899965 10G-Q4-1434

          Comment


          • #6
            No contest, radials all the way. Much better steering and ride. In the last year I have driven a golden hawk with bias plys and then radials, I hated driving with the bias plys and loved driving with the radials.

            53commander HDTP
            53 Champion HDTP
            64 Champ long bed V8
            64 Champ long bed V8
            55/53 Studebaker President S/R
            53 Hudson Super Wasp Coupe

            Comment


            • #7
              Dear Vagas Paul,

              This is exactly the kind of comment I wanted. Thanks a million. Do you happen to know how wide the white walls on bias ply should be as compared to the BF Goodrich? I see in the radial category of tires, various white wall sizes.

              Again,I really appreate the feedback and thank you.

              Jim

              quote:Originally posted by vegas paul

              I have wide white radials by B.F. Goodrich on my 51 Champion, rides like a dream. They look relatively period-correct, while giving me a great ride and safety. They were less expensive than Cokers, and my local dealer was able to get them in 2 days.

              Las Vegas, NV - Stop by, coffee's on!
              '51 Champion Business Coupe G899965 10G-Q4-1434
              James Caspi
              1950 Champion Regal Deluxe-2 dr.
              New York, NY.

              Comment


              • #8
                Also, exactly what size tire did you choose? Did you use the 195/75R 15 that the tire company's website suggests?

                Jim



                quote:Originally posted by vegas paul

                I have wide white radials by B.F. Goodrich on my 51 Champion, rides like a dream. They look relatively period-correct, while giving me a great ride and safety. They were less expensive than Cokers, and my local dealer was able to get them in 2 days.

                Las Vegas, NV - Stop by, coffee's on!
                '51 Champion Business Coupe G899965 10G-Q4-1434
                James Caspi
                1950 Champion Regal Deluxe-2 dr.
                New York, NY.

                Comment

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