Re: Re: tighter circles & radial tires
----- Original Message -----
From: John Friese
To: amphicar-lovers@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, August 03, 2003 9:48 AM
Subject: [amphicar-lovers] Re: tighter circles & radial tires
--- In amphicar-lovers@yahoogroups.com, "Marty & Caryl"
<martyandcaryl@c...> wrote:
> While in Celina, we noticed that many other Amphicars were able to
> turn a smaller radius on land and in the water. It was suggested
> that we adjust the stops under the pan in front, which we did and
> test-drove yesterday at Anchor Inn. What a difference that made. We
> are now able to turn a lot tighter circles dry & wet. While making
> the adjustments, I noticed a dampener shock that doesn't look
> original. It doesn't seem to affect the car so it will stay for now
> because it isn't broken.
> We heard that Cocker now offers radial tires with the large white
> walls. What is the benefit of radial tires vs. our stock tires? I
> realize we will have to readjust the front stops with wider tires.
> Marty & Caryl
> BUOYANT in WI
> '64 Fjord Green
I have 2 Amphi's that I restored. I put Cocker classics (bias ply)
tires on one car and their radial tires on the other. I've driven
both cars on the freeways and around town and both drive perfectly.
Everyone told me that the radials would drive much better but I can't
say that I've found any differences that I thought were significant.
It's possible that the radial tires "pull" somewhat less when going
down roads that have irregular surfaces but I'm not even sure about
that. If you're buying a new tire as a spare, the bias ply tire will
fit correctly under the trunk floor while, because of the extra
thickness, you'll probably have to make some changes to get a radial
tire under there. I was told you can't run radials at the 14 pounds
that Amphicar wants. I run my front radials at 20 and my bias ply
fronts at 14 and both cars drive just fine.
John Friese
White 67
Red 67
Just be sure that, when you adjust the stops, that you consider the position of
the tire throughout the suspension range. If the tire is hard over against a
stop in a tight turn, and you hit a bump, the tire may grind into the body as
the suspension travels.
Radial tires flex more easily than bias ply tires. Because of that, you get less
friction energy wasted in heating the tire, thus longer tire life. The tread
patch has less "squirm" as it lays down against the road, so you get longer
tread life. Also, you get a slightly easier to roll tire, so mileage and top
speed improves a bit. Of course, with an Amphi, we really don't stress the tires
that much anyway. (Stressing is like 115 MPH from Barstow to Vegas in August,
with a trunk full of luggage.)
The sidewall stiffness may be noticeable to an incredible attentive driver.
Although you may feel like it's a bit less stable, the tires flex enough to keep
a good contact patch on the road. I bought a set of extra-stiff sidewall Toyo
radial tires for a 70's muscle car back a few years ago. The handling
improvement was very noticeable.
But again, what in the world are you thinking if you try to pull a half gee turn
with a high center of gravity Amphi? <g> I think it comes down to esthetics far
more than performance. The radials will always have an under-inflated look to
all us greasers from the 50's.
Ed
El Cajon
67 Rust Guppy
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