<VV> Proper Tire Pressure? - it's all relative

[Charles Lee]

Yes it's all relative - to what car you were driving just prior to
driving your Corvair.

Some of the accidents for which the Corvair is famous were the result of
tire pressures to be sure, but some were due to the driver being more
accustomed to a RWD Buick.

They then drive their "second car" Corvair and expecting it to handle
the same (i.e. " understeer"), and then stop for gas and the attendant
"corrects" their "under-inflated" front tires, and the fun begins (at
least for the lawyer.)

A local dealer did that to me with a new set of "Wide Ovals" back in the
day, and I knew the problem as soon I took the next corner !

Try it just for fun sometime, although with radials it's not nearly as
much fun, you can still feel the difference, and understand what all the
fuss is about.

Post the pictures, and don't blame me !!!!  This is for professionals
only !




-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org
[mailto:virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of HallGrenn at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 11:02 AM
To: bwschug at charter.net; klundy at optonline.net; virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: Re: <VV> Proper Tire Pressure?

 
In a message dated 10/15/2008 1:03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time,  
bwschug at charter.net writes:

On Oct  15, 2008, at 11:23 AM, Ken Lundy (Home) wrote:

> I just purchased a  set of Firestone FR380 radial tires.
> Size: P185/80R13.
> They  are on a 1964 Monza Convertible - 110 HP.
> What is the recommended tire  pressure front and rear for these tires?
> Regards,

As you  already have, you'll get lots of answers to this question.  
There is  no "right" answer. The only thing that you must adhere to is  
to  inflate the rear tires about 10 pounds more than the fronts. This   
can probably vary from 8-12 pounds, but 10 is the rule of  thumb.

Beyond that, it is pretty much how you want the car to feel. You  might

like 18 in the front. Another guy will feel he likes 22 better  because

it gives him easier steering and a little better steering  response. A  
third Corvair owner may use even more than 22.

I  suggest you start with maybe 22 in the front and 32 in the rear and

see how it feels to you. Then, you might go up to 26/36 or down to   
18/28 and see. At some point, you'll find where you're comfortable,   
where it just feels best to you.

You may feel that 18-22 is pretty  low for radials, and you would be  
right. But remember, Corvairs  don't have a lot of weight on the front  
end - it's all  relative.




Bruce



To add to others' good advice I'd say try it at the manufacturer's
original  
pressures for a week or so just to remember how it felt new and then go
to a  
slightly higher pressure  to suit your taste.  I run 18-22 in the  front
and 
28-30 in the rear on my LM's.  I only bring this up because I am
occasionally 
suprised by some owners who have never driven a Corvair with stock  tire

pressures with the 10 pound differential--and they are  always
pleasantly suprised 
at how sweet handling and stable the car  is--especially at highway 
speeds--when set up as Chevy intented.
 
Bob Hall
**************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your
destination.  
Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out 
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