what exacly is the differnece between polyglas tires and radials? what are the advantages of radials. i am asking because i want to pick up some Mickey Thompson Indy Profile S/S Tires but they only come in the Bias-ply.
Hey, when I was in high school (in the '70's) the Mickey Thompson Indy Profiles were THE tire to have on your musclecar. They're great tires, you won't be sorry if you can get some to fit the car. But don't expect to get lots of miles from them or for them to corner like modern radials and you'll be fine.
They will not handle as well as radials. They will ride rougher than radials. They will wander all over the road, following every expansion joint. You will hate them.
They are old technology and IMO belong only on show cars.
if your wanting traction, there are better tires out there just due to new technogoly in tires (Drag radials) but if its a show car and your wanting look then go ahead.
for a daily driver, dont go bias ply. theres a reason we arent running them anymore (dont know why lol just is)
bias ply tires have the cords running at an angle of 32 degrees from bead to bead. this allows the tread to squirm about causing an instability in the traction the tire can give you. bias ply tires also run hotter because of this.
radial tires have the cord running at a 90 degree angle from bead to bead, stabilizing the tread, giving more consistent traction, and running cooler. when goodyear went to the radial tire at a bristol race in the late 80's, dale earnhardt used the radials, and rusty wallace ran the hoosier bias ply tires. rusty out qualified dale, but dale told rusty, "i will lap you by lap 50. he was close, it was lap 53 as i recall.