I repainted a space saver rim and need to have the original F78-14 BFG tire mounted back on it. I found some factory warning literature where it is stated NOT to use use compressed air and to only use the inflator cannister... Has anyone done this before without damaging the tire?

The Space-Saver should only be inflated with the special canister provided. Never use an air hose. The canister is good for one use only; a new canister must be obtained for future use.
Follow the approved mounting and use instructions.
As early as possible, remove the Space-Saver and replace it with a normal tire.
The Space-Saver is a load range B tire and should never be inflated past 32 psi.
Because of its construction, the Space-Saver tire beads may appear to be improperly seated on the wheel. This is normal. Do not attempt to seat the beads by adding more air.
To deflate the tire, remove the valve stem and fold the tire around the rim.
No attempt should be made to remove the Space-Saver tire from the rim or to repair the tire.


Figure 4 Space-saver spares required special handling to preserve their usefulness

well it worked for me,i pumped air in it to make it seat and then i inflated it again and it schrunk back to its small size.BUT,i was warned before i did it cause a friend just for fun pumped air in his space saver and it didnt go back to the small size,maybe it was dryed out or something. good luck

Thanks Cuda-Sweden, anyone else have any experience?

I would like to know as well. I also have a refinished rim, and need to put the tire back. The shop that removed it for me claimed that they can't re-install it properly. Before they removed the tire, they did inflate it with compressed air, and it did collapse back to normal without any problem.

I have done dozens of restorations on space savers and this is what I have learned.
You can easily inflate the tire with air and then deflate it and the tire will return to its'
original shape. Sometimes it takes a good 10 minutes. HOWEVER, if the tire has been inflated for a
long time and /or it has been run on, it will NOT return to its shape. The tire can be removed from the rim and
installed back on BUT it is murder trying to get it back on. You must use a regular tire machine. Not today's
mag wheel machines that do not touch the rims.It will be very hard to get back on and when I do them done it takes 3
guys and loads of lubricant to succeed. I believe the problem is that the rubber is so old that it has lost its flexibility and thus
it does not want to stretch and co-operate. Heating the tire does not help much either. We tried that. Keep in mind
that your experience may vary due to the condition of your particular tire.
Jules

2

Is the rim of a space saver different than a regular rim?? I have a gm rim and tire that I would like to change over to a mopar bolt pattern ?? Thanks

Jules,
Do you paint the rim before or after mounting the tire?

Snoopy,
I primer the rim in black first and then mount the tire.
After the tire is on I tape it off and then paint the rim gloss black.
I cannot do it before hand because the process of installing the tire
would badly scratch the edge of the rim.
Jules

Jules,
That was the way I was planning on doing mine, just wanted to check with the Master.

Hi Jules,

I had a local tire shop put the tires back on (I am doing two '70 space savers), he got them ON the rim with no problem, but they are not centered and the beads do not sit right... Is that where the issue lies with these tires? I will bring them back to him and tell him to use lots more lube if you think that is the problem.

Take the wheel in hand on each side and flat drop it on the tread several tires. Do the whole circumference of the tire
like that. Try to inflate it after that.
If it still does not hold air. Do it again.
I have always succeeded in inflating it and hence centering the tire on the rim in this fashion.
Jules

Thanks Jules, I'll try that tomorrow night

Jules- worked like a charm! I flat dropped them several times and using a soapy water mix, they seated and then I used air to do the rest

There you go!
Glad it worked out.
Jules

No, I have never mounted a tire without a split rim. I guess someone like Hibdon Tires would not be up to it? Sounds like they just need to get the tire on the rim, then drop it a couple of times. Like I said, I really have no idea.


.,