beadlocks

this might be a dumb question <dont all dumb questions start off like that?> but ive never ran beadlocks before. we just bought a pair, and im looking at tire choices. all the manufacturers say that tubes are required, but i see alot of guys running tubeless. are there diferent tires if you wanna run tubeless? or do the tire guys just say run tubes to cover themselves? or are there diferent tire versions come in a tubeless type? these guys in the retail shops ive been talking to, just stare right though me when i ask them anything that doesnt come directly out of thier little catalogue. i just kinda figured that the beadlock part of the wheel just took the place of the liner, and i still should run tubes, but if i dont have to, id like to consider that route. any suggestions?

 

for what is worth...we run bead locks with no tubes hoosier tires. right or wrong??? don't know but it works fine

 

No tubes with beadlocks. look at any topfuel,funnycar,or a-fuel car, none use a tube with beadlocks. you could also call goodyear or hoosier, or ask at the track when you pick up your tires.

 

I don't know what kind of car you have, but we tried running goodyears on beadlocks for two years, and couldn't get our afc to go more than 10 ft without smoking the tires. Maybe other tire brands react different, but that's a combo I wouldn't personally recommend.

bryan brown

 

We run the Mickey Thompsons on our alky funny car, and are very happy with that combination. Usually run 6 lbs, increase it a bit for better hook, and decrease down to about 5 lbs if you want a bit more wheel speed (opposite to the old way of doing things, but it works because of the crown on the MT tire).

 

thanks for the input guys, i kinda figured that would be the answers. while i got you guys on the subject, as far as tires go.................... i run a blown alky 542 KB motor in a funnycar chassis altered, and im running a beefed up glide. is there any tire preference between running a converter instead of a clutch? as far as i can tell its between mickeys, and hoosiers. the goodys most guys are telling me arent too swift.

 

we run an altered with a blown hemi and clutch. we use hoosiers with beadlocks(no tubes), and the car loves it. i've heard good and bad with m/t and hoosiers but this works well for us, i won't change. i would reccomend the hoosiers. we run the shorty, 33.5 and i would at least think about it if i were you. it takes alot of motor to pull that 34.5 hoosier, and plus they are alot heavier(it takes power to turn weight) i was talking with bob newberry, and he told me he ran 33.5 hoosiers on his f/c when he runs the roots blower.
hope this helps

 

When was that? I never remembered running that tire size. we always run 34.5 tires. wemight run a shorter rollout tire but not a 33.5. they are a bit too small.

 

i can only tell you what he told me on 2 different occasions mike. maybe he meant a tire with less rollout, i really don't know. i do know he said that the 33.5 hoosier should work excellent on an altered(our car)