TC tyres

[jddevel]

With claims by all manufacturers that their tyres are naturally the best what is the opinion of those on the forum. This is not a concours car just one to be used and enjoyed on days out and the occasional tour. The wheels are original 19 inch.

[Franz]

I asked a lot of people which tyts should I buy, I bought Blockley from England for my TC.

When I go to vintage cars event, mostly the MG, Bugatti and other wonderful use all this Blockley tyres. And they are not really expensive, you get also the tubes and rim bands. I think this is the right name.


Franz

[Franz]

And Lilly likes them too ;-)

Franz

[Tom Lange, MGT Repair]

I have had very good results with tyres from Longstone Tyres in the UK; their prices and shipping are very good. I have Blockley's on one of my TCs, and except for one tyre that refuses to seat, they are great.

Do not be fooled into thinking that 4.95x19 Model A tyres fit just as well - they don't. Get 4.50x19 as original, replace the tubes and the wheel bands to protect the tube from the spoke ends..

Tom Lange
MGT Repair

[frenchblatter]

As I wanted to keep as much originality I got the Dunlop equivalent from Longstone. I don't drive the car like a loon, I have other cars for that

[jddevel]

Apparently the Dunlops are no longer available but the 4.50x19 Ensign B5 is from a similar mould so have asked for a quote.

[jddevel]

Would add that the Blockleys are slightly cheaper so as tread pattern is different not sure which way to bounce.

[bloodysalmon]

my pennies worth ... having bought some 25+ tyres in the past 5 years for my F2, D-type and 3 TC's I feel I can assess things looking back. Firstly, because of the design and shape I dont find the feel the look nor the ride of Blockleys on TC's are right, too spindly. They are spot on though for the pre-war Triple-M MG's.
If you can afford to buy the Ensign B5 types, do so they are perfect. I have one Tc with those. New general wear tyres I buy and use Waymasters being very resonable price, good tread and look good from the side; time will tell if they wear well or not. I have another TC with used Dunlops on the front and excellent Michelin's on the rear ... both tyres look nice and wear excellently ...
so my take is that they have to look right, the detail on the tyre also makes it ... finally it depends what TC it is ... concours, oily-rag runabout or just a looker ... each TC can be furnished differently

[Steve Simmons]

I have limited personal experience on Blockleys but I've heard mixed reviews. For racing they seem to do quite well. I've heard a few people complain that on the road they are a bit stiff and don't grip as well as some others on rough road. I think the rubber compound is probably a bit hard and needs to heat up for best performance. Of course everyone's driving style is different so that will be a factor.

A lot of guys run Firestone 4.50/4.75. They have a larger rolling radius which lowers RPMs a bit on the highway, and more rubber on the road increases grip. Longevity is also very good. The downside is that the rear wheels can be trickier to remove and install due to the larger size.

I've always run the Dunlop B5, and now the Ensign B5 that replaced it. I like the original look and being someone who drives a TC pretty hard, I am happy with the overall performance. I did a thorough review around the time they came out that can be seen on pages 10-11 here: http://www.tcmotoringguild.org/chassis/18NovMidget.pdf

[Duncan M]

Unfortunately for the vintage enthusiast, uniformity of info on the exact dimensions and load ratings, etc for classic cars is pretty much non-existent. "Section width" of a tire should be the (inflated) overall widest width of the tire. Tread width should be just that. Overall diameter should be self explanatory. Where you can get into trouble with the TC is in the rear, where the drip strip can rub on the widest part of the tire if the tires are too "fat." Rub would occur with the axle rising up on a side, when the car is in use. See picture.

I have been running "Universal" brand (not Coker branded) 475/500 x 19 which is the standard size for Model A's with 19" wheels. Yes, it can be a little confusing for a moment figuring out how to get the wheels mounted in back. With me measuring, the section width is 5.2" and tread width is 3.8" and the overall diameter is 30". These tires would come real close to rubbing the drip strip, but do not rub. I got the tires 6 years ago from Summit for $99. They currently have ($112)what sure looks like my tires, and stated sizes are section width 4.12" tread width 3.5" and overall dia of 29". Either the tires are quite different, or the info is not at all accurate. When I got mine, I believe Summit stated the min wheel width was 2.5" and not 3".
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cok-73320

If the stated info on these particular 4.50 x 19 tires is correct, they would rub the drip strip on my TC when in use.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cok-728982

[jddevel]

As the car is not likely to do more than 20K in five years I`m wondering whether the Waymasters may do. As was pointed out by Longstone in conversation tyres are affected by UV light and also require ensuring that if stored fr any length of time they should either be on axle stands or moved to prevent "flat spots". So as a purely fair day tripper withe odd tour I may well consider the less costly Waymaster. Thanks All

[frenchblatter]

Just to say that mine are the Ensigns which Longstone say are the dunlop pattern.

[jddevel]

Longstone have also quoted me for the T/T Classic Roadmaster which apparently looks a lot like the Dunlop/Ensign. Although a budget tyre with my low mileage and being "tight" anyone any experience of these tyres?

[Steve Simmons]

Last time I looked at them, the Roadmaster and Excelsior were both undersized. Your RPMs will be higher at a given speed. I seem to recall the difference in rolling diameter is nearly an inch.

[Swanee]

HI all
I see these on ebay which are about half the price of the Excelsiors I normally use
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/16501207466 ... z#shpCntId
Has anyone tried using tyres like these?
cheers
John Swanland TC7557 Melbourne Australia

[Ray White]

I have just fitted 5 new wheels with Waymaster tyres. I asked around before getting the tyres and had differing opinions. I was influenced by the suggestion that Blockley were good but gave a hard ride on a car like the TC with limited suspension. Apparently Waymaster are good if you enjoy some gentle drifting. Since fitting the tyres I have been told that Waymaster squeals on corners. Seems I might regret believing Waymaster marketing.

(The car is not on the road yet).

[Steve Simmons]

Hi John, I haven't used those particular tires but I wonder if they are stiff enough for automobile use, being marketed as motorcycle tires. I also wonder how round or flat the tread might be. The max load rating seems adequate. The width is is a bit narrow for my tastes but I know one guy who used to run tires that size, so it does work.

[Rob Reilly]

My TA came to me last January with 3 tires that would hold air and one that would stay up for half a minute, and the 200 foot roll from the transport truck to my garage ruined it, sliced by the rim.
Most of the non-concours XK120 people including myself have gone over to radials.
I asked on another T forum and nobody had tried radials, so I thought I might as well be the first.
So in May I ordered five American Classic 475/500R19 Radials with rim strips and tubes from Coker.
The tires and rim strips arrived in October.
The latest guess on delivery of the tubes is January.
So be aware of the world wide supply chain problems.
But the tires look nice.

[antijam]

......I asked on another T forum and nobody had tried radials, so I thought I might as well be the first.
So in May I ordered five American Classic 475/500R19 Radials with rim strips and tubes from Coker.......

When you've got them fitted I'd be interested in your feedback. Personally I wouldn't fit radials to a 'T' since fitting them to a car designed for Crossplys usually requires a reduction in Camber to avoid rapid wear. The stocK 'T' has 3° positive camber built in and short of bending the axle, no practical way of reducing it. Let us know how you get on..

[Steve Simmons]

Be aware that radial tires put very different and often much greater stress on the bead of the rim. A lot of antique wheels have reportedly failed after running radial tires. I don't recall knowing anyone who has run radials on the original 2.5' TC rim so I can't say how it will hold up, but regular inspection for cracking might be a good idea.