Re: [Chrysler300] New American Classic Tires

Regarding the lug centric recommendation:

It actually references the way the wheels are balanced. The more important caution is that older rims may crack if used with radial tires. We have had members tell of an old wheel cracking with radial tires and thankfully, lived to talk about it.

"American Classic Tires

(Tire Types)

Lug centric balancing is preferred over hub centric, because it’s more accurate to real-world driving.

Weights should be mounted on the inside of the tire in order to protect the soft whitewall. Because of the whitewall insert, American Classic radial tires may take 3 to 5 ounces to balance. Old wheels can often be out-of-round, which will cause problems when it comes time to balance the new tires. Carefully check your old rims before mounting.

Also be aware that older rims designed for bias ply tires may crack if used with modern radials, as the radial places more street on the wheel."

“Been there, done that”!

There is no debating the multitude of 300 owners who still use their original wheels and are content.

I only tried to provide a new tire option (bias ply look radials) for some owners and what is considered state-of-the-art recommendations and what is currently available.

I would like to share my experience when converting my 300-F to front disc brakes with bias ply tires. An old time mechanic, who worked on 300s at a Chrysler dealer in the day, told me that the original wheels were “hub centric” and the diameter of the new disc spindles were smaller than the center hole of my old wheels. He had rings manufactured that were wedged onto the spindles so that the wheel would be supported on the hub.

Subsequently, I worked with the now deceased Frank Mauro, owner of Stockton Wheel, to develop modern “lug centric supported” 14’ wheels for 1957 & up 300s and other Mopars to support radial tires. He also made up 15” wheels that could use 14” hubcaps based upon Dan Reitz’s original concept.

FYI, Stockton Wheel is open again and is still manufacturing these wheels. The same wheel wright works there. We currently have tire options that we did not have in the 1990s. Many members were using under sized tires because the 75 series tires were not available. Many of our cars looked like “Low Riders.”

At that time, we pre ordered 100 sets of tires so that Coker would manufacture the 235/75R14” WWW. They are no longer made since American Classic Tire brought their new 75 series of tires out.

300’ly

Tony Rinaldi

From: Edward Mills Antique Tractors <millserAT@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, Jan 5, 14 at Sun, Jan 5 - 9:11 PM
To: Anthony Rinaldi <awrdoc@xxxxxxxxx>, Chrysler 300 Club <Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] New American Classic Tires

Tony - where did you get recommendation on Lug Centric? I can't find any Wheel Info on American Classics Tire website?

On 1/4/2014 3:02 PM, Tony Rinaldi wrote:

Hi To All Happy New Year,

Just opened the latest Hemmings MN Coker is advertising a new series of American Classic radial WWW tires that have bias ply look profiles. The American Classic Tire website does not show them as of yet.

They seem to be geared for Cadillacs, thunderbirds Corvettes.

Based on carnut.com "as built" specs for '55-'65 300s, C-300, 300-B 300-G owners may benefit from the 800:R15 tires if a 3 1/4" WWW works for you.

As with American Classic 235/75R14 235/75R15 radial tires, the white wall is an integral part of the tire. The 14" 75 series tires are for 1955-1960 unless owners opt for 15" wheels and tires.

Diamond Classic has S rated new Michelin 235/75R15 tires that they will put what ever size WW you want. They also promise the 235/75R14" tires soon by their own production.

BTW, I have the 15" Michelin tires from Diamond Back mounted on Stockton 15" wheels with the original 300-F hubcaps. They are great and exceed all expectations. One tire did develop "bead bubbling" of the white wall where it sealed to the rim. I had to pay shipping one way for a replacement WW. They did give me some grief since it they were over 1 year old.

American Classic Tires recommends "lug centric" wheels rather than the original "hub centric" wheels that may flex with radials.

Stockton Wheel will make up 14" modern "lug centric" replacement wheels or 15" that will accept 14" hub caps for radial tires. They are for 1957-60 and 1962-65. Their 15" wheels do not match 1961 300-G perforated wheels. They will not fit 1955-56.

Some narrow white walls are currently still available for 300-H and up.

All of this comes at a price! Hope Santa was good to you.

300,ly,
Tony Rinaldi
300-F Conv't

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