towing question/ need taller 14" tires

[mikes456]

I recently almost needed a tow for my 1973 Cuda due to a carb that was flooded because Teflon tape hung the float in the carb. I did not tow the car because the tow truck driver said my car was too low and he would damage the front or rear valance with the chain used to pull the car up the flat bed. My car has 14” rims and the tires are not that tall. Selection of 14” tire is poor at best, what is the tallest that are still available? I was thinking to keep some wood blocking in the truck of the car to put between the K member to change the angle of the tow chain? I know some of you may own a tow truck and might have some tips on how to tow an E-body car. My other thought was to install tow hooks like the ones on new cars. I drive the car less because of this incident which is not the solution.

Thanks
Mike

 

[moparleo]

14" only tells us the size of the hole in the center of your tire. What is the rim width, tire size . Have you lowered the ride height in any way ? Lowered torsion bars ? Rear blocks, shackles ?
You haven't really given us any info about your problem. How about some pictures ?
Also, I hope you learned not to use Teflon tape on your car.

 

[Ray]

Teflon tape?

 

[Bill]

Years ago I called a tow truck to get my car out of a snowbank near my house. The guy came, rolled down his window in the tow truck, looked at the car, and did not even get out of the truck and said he would need to come back tomorrow. I think he saw that the job would take a little effort on his part (or at least having him get out of the truck) so he blew me off and said if I still needed him tomorrow to call him again. I would be unemployed in a heartbeat if I acted like that in my line of work. I bet there are many, many, many stock cars our there that are lower to the ground than yours.

 

[74chlngrTT5.9]

X2 to what bill said.
Many of my cars in the early years have been lowered to the point that even floor jacks would not fit under them. Young and stupid on some of them, I had to be towed multiple times. Proper tow services will always carry wood shim blocks in various thicknesses for just this issue. Altering your car to suit them is not the answer. It would be no difference if your car was at a "normal" height and the terrain is not flat. Their job is to earn the paycheck just like other professions.

One of the best ones was when they jacked up each front tire from the lower arm and set both the front tires on the wheel dollies to pull it in.

Mike.

 

[moparleo]

So next time you break down and need a tow, instead of assuming that they automatically should have no problems with a modified car, just tell them what you have when you call them and there will be no misunderstandings for both of you.
This will never be a perfect world.

 

[mikes456]

The car is not modified see attached photos. The rear leaf springs are new and the car sits higher than it did with the old ones.
What do you use instead of Teflon tape?

The front tires are 215 60 14" (23.5" dia.) rear are 245 60 14 (24.5")
not sure if these photos are attached correctly

 

[moparleo]

Teflon tape is designed to only be used on tapered water/gas pipes threads. It is a thread lubricant not a thread sealer. Companies like Loctite, Permatex , etc.. make thread sealers for gasoline. They are in the form of a liquid or paste and are labeled as a sealer. Make sure that it is rated for fuel/gasoline. Use it per the manufacturers instructions on clean, dry joint.
As you have found out, tape will shred along the threads and come loose causing filters and small orfices to clog/plug up.

 

[moparleo]

Also in the 14 " sizes you are very limited to large tire sizing. The best thing to do would be to go with a 16-17" rim. This will give you an endless choice of brands, speed ratings, tread patterns. In current 14" tires commonly available, 215/70-14 is 25.85 " in height, 8.846 " wide in the section of widest part of the sidewall. Harder to find is 225/70-14. 26.40" tall and 8.86" section width. Also get a better brand than Pep-Boys Futuras . Their lowest performance/cost tire that they sell.

 

[mikes456]

I agree with you but do you think the car set too low to tow.
I think the tow guy was an idiot. The rims are new a gift from the wife as for cheap tires
I replace them every five years as they start to crack but the tread is like new.
Do you think I could crank the torson bars up a bit? How high about stock is safe?
I was think going a 1/2" to 3/4" and maybe do the 70's series tires.

 

[moparleo]

Like I said before, if you need a tow on a flat bed, ask the tow company up front if there will be a problem. As others have mentioned, any tow company with modern tow equipment should have no problems. It is the other companies that could be a problem. One good idea you had is to install tow hooks in the front and rear of your car. You need to make sure that they hook your car up properly. In my old line of business, Firestone store manager, We got a steady stream of cars with suspension damage caused by inexperienced tow drivers. They would just use their large hooks and attach to the control arms, sway bars, or whatever looked easy for them. You must be proactive with your car. Another good thing to have is your own HD tow strap in the trunk in case they don't have one or it is damaged. Of course better quality tires and driving technique are the most important things you can do to avoid the problem in the first place.
.

 

[burntorange70]

It don't look any lower than new cars. Should of been able to do it.