C1, C2, early C3 repro bias ply recommened pressures

[Wayne M.]

I notice an old US Royal tire I have (no DOT) shows no recommended maximum pressure on the sidewall. The '65 owner's manual says cold pressures are 22 psi (front) and 24 psi (rear).

I have some repop Firestones (goldline & whitewall) [New Zealand and USA manf., respectively], both DOT numbered, with 32 psi max indicated.

What cold pressures would you recommend ?

[Larry M.]

Re: C1, C2, early C3 repro bias ply recommened pressures

I notice an old US Royal tire I have (no DOT) shows no recommended maximum pressure on the sidewall. The '65 owner's manual says cold pressures are 22 psi (front) and 24 psi (rear).

I have some repop Firestones (goldline & whitewall) [New Zealand and USA manf., respectively], both DOT numbered, with 32 psi max indicated.

What cold pressures would you recommend ?

Wayne:

I run between 28 to 30 psig (cold) air pressure in my bias ply tires. I did this in the 1960's and haven't changed since.

Larry

[Bob R.]

Re: C1, C2, early C3 repro bias ply recommened pressures

I had my tires filled with nitrogen last year and the pressure has remained stable since about 10 months. Also the tire doesn't heat up the way normal air filled tires wood.

[Terry M.]

Re: C1, C2, early C3 repro bias ply recommened pressures

I notice an old US Royal tire I have (no DOT) shows no recommended maximum pressure on the sidewall. The '65 owner's manual says cold pressures are 22 psi (front) and 24 psi (rear).

I have some repop Firestones (goldline & whitewall) [New Zealand and USA manf., respectively], both DOT numbered, with 32 psi max indicated.

What cold pressures would you recommend ?

For DOT tires the maximum pressure indicated on the sidewall is NOT the recommended pressure to operate the tires. It is merely a pressure that is NOT to be exceeded when mounting the tires. When mounting tires it is common to overinflate the tire in order to seat the bead properly. THAT is the pressure that is not to be exceeded. In recent years (Since 1967, I think) the car manufacturer is required to place a label on the car indicating the recommended tire operating pressure.

If you use a tire of a different construction (say radial where bias ply was original) on your Corvette start at a pressure recommended for Corvettes of the same general chassis construction and tires of the type you are using. Since the C2 and C3 chassis are basically similar and they started with Nylon bias ply tires and ended with radials there should be a starting point in there for most situations.