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V8-250 Saloon - Tyre Pressures

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classiclife
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V8-250 Saloon - Tyre Pressures

Post by classiclife »

Hello,

Checking historic threads I can see references to SP250 tyre pressures but could not see anything regarding V8-250 saloon tyre pressures, apologies if I have missed it.

I have the usual 185/R15 (91T) 80% profile tyres on the car.

Will be grateful if other users could give some indication as the correct / accepted radial tyre pressures for these size tyres, please. I was thinking 32lbs all round as a start point.

Thank you in advance.

Richard.
1968 Daimler V8-250 Saloon
DLOC East Sussex Branch Secretary
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johnwager
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Re: V8-250 Saloon - Tyre Pressures

Post by johnwager »

Richard
The manual contradicts itself, as under general information it states 28lb front and rear for crossply tyres, but under the wheels and tyres section it says 28lb front and 24lb rear for normal motoring.
For the radial option it gives 30lb front and rear, which is what I have used for years without issue.
John

classiclife
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Re: V8-250 Saloon - Tyre Pressures

Post by classiclife »

That's excellent, John.

Many thanks indeed.

Best wishes.

Richard.
1968 Daimler V8-250 Saloon
DLOC East Sussex Branch Secretary
DLOC 2.5L V8 & V8-250 Registrar - https://www.dloc.org.uk/v8-250
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Sydsmith
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Re: V8-250 Saloon - Tyre Pressures

Post by Sydsmith »

Richard. My V8 250 does not have power steering and I have run the fronts at 35 PPS and the rears at 32 for the seven years I have owned it.

I have not noticed any tyre irregularities as a result, but then I only do less than a couple of thousand miles a year. It does harden the ride a bit but does make parking that bit easier. Syd

classiclife
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Re: V8-250 Saloon - Tyre Pressures

Post by classiclife »

Thanks Syd,

I have PAS and yes I understand your rationale for slightly higher pressures for ease of manoeuvring, which comes in to its own at very slow speed - namely parking.

At least you do not have to worry about leaky PAS pumps !!

Regards.

Richard.
1968 Daimler V8-250 Saloon
DLOC East Sussex Branch Secretary
DLOC 2.5L V8 & V8-250 Registrar - https://www.dloc.org.uk/v8-250
DLOC 2024 International Rally - https://www.dloc.org.uk/rally-2024

tjt77
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Re: V8-250 Saloon - Tyre Pressures

Post by tjt77 »

1950s qn 60's car manuals tends to state very low pressures .. our cars mostly came with crossply or 'bias ply' in US Tyres.. Most UK manufacturers started fitting radials by late 1960's.. but stated low presuures for these too.
I believe the thinking has changed todays.. correct size radials for std rims(185-80 x15) in my experience with normal radials is for best results as regards even wear, good handling ride etc optimal is 34-36lbs front and 32-34 rear in the V8 2 1/2 litre saloon..and about 2-3 lbs less for steel belted (such as the Michelin XAS) ...dont know what is optimum for X plys.. whatever pressures used they almost always wear unevenly up front.. and provide stodgy handling and short tyre life and tend to squeal on brisk corners..

Sydsmith
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Re: V8-250 Saloon - Tyre Pressures

Post by Sydsmith »

I was surprised to read when researching this subject that the first radial tyres were developed in America in 1915, it took until 1948 before the first production cars, the Citreon 2CV were fitted with radials as standard, and further till the late 50's before they became more popular.

The company I worked for in the late 1950's adopted them on the van fleet, quite early on. They were so much longer lived. We used to inflate them 5 lbs above the hand book pressures in those days.

Not sure I would want to drive a V8 250 on cross ply tyres on modern roads. Syd

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Re: V8-250 Saloon - Tyre Pressures

Post by John-B »

For what it's worth, I ran my Dart with 30psi front and back but recently have decided to increase the front to 34psi which gives a harder ride but easier steering. Although the engine is the same weight in a saloon V8, it's a heavier car so I think the front tyres should be at least 34psi.

classiclife
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Re: V8-250 Saloon - Tyre Pressures

Post by classiclife »

Thank you for the recent replies, makes interesting reading.

I have started with 30lbs on all four tyres, but I am sensing that this is probably considered too low.

As such, will increase the pressure to 34lbs all round and see how that affects the car; with a view to running the rear tyres at 32lbs at some stage to experiment.

Best wishes.

Richard.
1968 Daimler V8-250 Saloon
DLOC East Sussex Branch Secretary
DLOC 2.5L V8 & V8-250 Registrar - https://www.dloc.org.uk/v8-250
DLOC 2024 International Rally - https://www.dloc.org.uk/rally-2024

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