I just purchased a 1962 XKE FHC that has belted tires. They have virtually no tread wear but they look quite old and I am concerned about the integrity of the rubber. They do hold air well so the wheels seem to be fine. My question is what type and size of radials should I get if I replace the tires? What do I look for on the current tires to see if they are still driveable? A blow out at 70 might ruin my day.
Thanks!
Submitted by coinman1@bigfoot.com on Tue, 01/31/2006 - 11:24
JCSNE Membership Chairman & Chief Judge
Member of JCRC (Jaguar Concours Rules Committee)
1974 SIII
Do not attempt to drive on those tires if they are 10 years or older, even if they look sound on the outside. The tires on my '74 E-type were original Dunlops with only 16K miles on them when I purchased the car.
They looked perfect on the outside with no cracking or other defects visible. However, while I removed one from its rim to replace it with new rubber the edge bead of the tire practically disintegraded from the dryrot!
If a radial is what you desire as a replacedment, it should be 185R15 in size with an appropriate speed rating to the max level of performance you wish to drive.
An "S" rating would suite most but a "V" would be to the outer performance level of a Series 1 E-type.