Can someone date code these tires for me? I think I know what they are, but want to know for sure....both of these tires are supposed to be original spares.


Thank You,
tim

 

I don't think the date coding started until about 2000

 

good luck i hope someone can help...i always had problems finding all inclusive charts these old tires in some cases they used letters for years numbers for years letters for mfg plants etc

 

I'm just guessing here, but that first one might be a Uniroyal tire with a date of March 27, with a year ending in 1 (1961, 1971, 1981, 1991)?

Randy C.

 

here is a different pic of the first tire...there is nothing stamped by the DOT imprint....

 

Neither of those looks like a date code. The first one ends in "C27", and there are no letters in date codes. The second one has too many digits. There should be only three or four.

What date do you think they are?

Four-digit date coding started in 2000 (July 2000, I believe). Prior to that, 3-digit date codes were used.

Correct.

Again, neither of these photos shows a date code.


I'm not sure how far back date codes go. As noted, after July 2000, four-digit date codes were used, with the first two digits indicating the week of manufacture and the last two the year. So a number like 4203 would indicate the 42nd week of 2003.

Prior to 2000, three digit date codes were used with the first two digits indicating the week of manufacture and the last digit indicating the year. Obviously, this would lead to ambiguity as you wouldn't know if, say, a "2" meant 1982, 1992, or whatever. To sort of fix this, some (it wasn't a requirement) tires made in the 1990s have a small triangle to the right of the date code.


Here's a typical four-digit date code. The 5107 at the far right indicates the 51st week of 2007.






Here's a tire with a three-digit date code. The 408 at the far right indicates the 40th week of 1998 (or 1988 or 1978 or whatever).





Here's a schematic representation of a three-digit code with the triangle, which is laying on it's side at the far right. So this tire, as shown, would have been made in the 42nd week of 1998.




Remember, also, that the law requires that the full DOT stamping, including the date code, be imprinted on only one side of the tire. The other side can contain the full code as well or just a portion of it, depending on what the manufacturer did.

 

The date codes prior to 71 were brand specific and differed by manufacturer. There were 7, 8, and 10 digit codes up until 2000.
These are for Goodyear and may work for your first tire:
First digit
M or Z =66
K or Y =67
L or T =68
J or U =69
E or W =70
H or X =71
G or S =72

Second digit
T=Jan
U=Feb
F=Mar
S=Apr
Y=May
N=Jun
P=Jul
A=Aug
C=Sep
K=Oct
E=Nov
R=Dec


Your second tire if I make it out right, the last 4 are 1467, would be the 146th day of 1977 or the 46th week of 77, I believe.

 

I hate secret codes like that
WTH is wrong with just using a date format that is obvious?
Probably the same idiot who thought it was a good idea to use "40" in the QJet application number to represent 1970. 'Cause using "70" for 1970 was just too obvious and sensible.
Rant off

 

does anyone have pics of the what the date codes appear as on a goodyear and firestone tire?
I appreciate everyone's participation in this exercise...just trying to verify these tires.


thanks again...

 

UR01C27
U=1969
R=December
01=Goodyear plant in Akron OH
C27=tire serial/batch number
--- not an original installed tire on a '69 car

 

Do you have any more pics of the Firestone?


Is it "MADE IN USA" or "MADE IN CHINA"? I think some of the Firestone plant codes were re-used after/during restructuring of Bridgestone/Firestone. If it's a reproduction it's 1991 from CHINA.


http://www.harriger.com/tire8.htm

 

this is the firestone on an original spare 70-72 ss1 wheel....it is difficult to read the last digit....thanks....

 

this is the Goodyear Custom Wide Tread on an original 67 steel wheel

 

Guys, where did you get your info from? I'm not doubting you -- it's just that I've been looking for original tire date and plant code info for years!!!

 

I have some here, my family had a gas station, that I grew up in. I have some old documentation from there. The internet is also a wealth of information, and of course misinformation. The information I posted was on one of the Mopar sites.

 

In addition to Oldsmobiles, I have a problem with Mopars, wheels, & tires!

The above chart was first published in: Galen Govier's "Chrysler Corporation Part & Casting Numbers Book 1962-1974 Volume II" First Edition July, 1998. The Goodyear tire info is credited to Greg Kwiatkowski.

I find the month designation a little comical: TUF SYN PACKER

 

Thanks, guys. I forgot all about Galen's book. It's one of those things I was going to purchase years ago but got put on the back burner .....

Along the same lines, I've found the NCRS judging manuals to be useful even for our Oldses. And then there's Duane's Buick date code book. Great stuff.