[Oldsguy]

I have a set of used Michelin Light truck tires mounted on the original (well older) wheels that were on the "46 when I bought it. The problem, I have trouble keeping the tires inflated. The car has been sitting for over a year in my garage or on the driveway, it is my unfinished project. The tires were mounted right after I bought the car and brought it home, I manually cleaned the wheel rims, inspected them and then had the tires mounted. I don't see any imperfections or obvious warpage on the wheels, the tires do exhibit some dry rotting when they deflate i.e. I can see light cracks on the surface where the tire is flat. When I have had the flats "fixed" by tire shops sometimes they have commented on the age of the wheels, usually used a "sealant" on the beads before re-assembly, but have never commented on the age of the tires. I hope to get the car running this spring and will buy new tires as the main reason I used the olds ones were to put the car on something and be able to move it around, which I have done. I want to be sure however that the wheels are not contributing to the problem and I want to use them because the hubcaps fit and will probably not mount on more modern steel wheels. I know I could have new steel wheels made with the same shape on the inner portion so the hubcaps will fit or even have those parts re-used. I also have some information that originally the car came with 16 inch wheels and these are 15 inch wheels (my comment in the beginning about originality). So, I could also have 16 inch wheels built and just start over completely but that would really cost more than I think I can afford now. So my question is this, has anyone had any experience with older wheels, ever had a problem like this, or have a recommendation that might help me make a decision which way to go?