Firestone Tire code interpretation

[Bruce D.]

Can any one help me with Firestone DOT codes for some tires?

I have seen a set of Firestone F 70 Wide Oval tires with the following codes:

VJU2Y4A347 N08B N15B with DOT

When did DOT start being used on tires?

I think this means 34 th week of the 7th year of some unkown decade, but not sure about the rest of the numbers.

I am trying to get the correct Firestone tires for a 74 vette built in Jan 74 and do not have my 74 judging manual here with me at Bloomington Gold to reference.....

Any help will be appreciated.

[Henry S.]

Re: Firestone Tire code interpretation

Can any one help me with Firestone DOT codes for some tires?

I have seen a set of Firestone F 70 Wide Oval tires with the following codes:

VJU2Y4A347 N08B N15B with DOT

When did DOT start being used on tires?

I think this means 34 th week of the 7th year of some unkown decade, but not sure about the rest of the numbers.

I am trying to get the correct Firestone tires for a 74 vette built in Jan 74 and do not have my 74 judging manual here with me at Bloomington Gold to reference.....

Any help will be appreciated.

Bruce, Ok I'll give this a shot.
I believe they started requiring the DOT on tires around 68 or 69. You are correct in the date code with the "347". It would be the 34th week of a year ending in "7". Before 2000 they used a 3 digit date code (first 2 for week and 3rd for the year) because they didn't figure tires would last more than 10 years (OR maybe they didn't figure ANY of us NUTTY classic car enthusiasts would need to know what decade it was produced ). After 2000 they started using the "4" digit (first 2 for week and last 2 for year). The first 2 digits in your DOT (VJ) is where the tire was produced, which in this case is Pottstown Pa. The rest of the numbers/letters had different meanings for each tire manufacturer. At Firestone some of the numbers designated which curing press and mold was used. Not sure what other manufacturers called these numbers but at Firestone they were the "serials". Before we went to the 12 hour/ 7 day operation we would change the serials in the curing molds on 3rd shift (3-11) Saturday. To muddy the waters more, on the set of numbers you posted I'm guessing "N08B" is on one tire and "N15B" on the other? If so that would be the curing presses (N08 and N15) they were cured in. Since they cure 2 tires per press each time one tire would be stamped "N08A" and the other "N08B". Now that you are TOTALLY confused, have fun at BG!!!

[Bruce D.]

Re: Firestone Tire code interpretation

Henry. So 34th week on year 7 could be 77 or 87 etc. How will this affect judging for my 74 using the Wide Oval to replace the Firestone 500's?

thanks

[Henry S.]

Re: Firestone Tire code interpretation

Henry. So 34th week on year 7 could be 77 or 87 etc. How will this affect judging for my 74 using the Wide Oval to replace the Firestone 500's?

thanks

Bruce,
I'm pretty much a rookie when it comes to judging so you're better with ANYONE else where that's concerned! Hopefully someone familiar with judging and 74's will comment. While you are at Bloomington Gold I know there are several NCRS members there. If you have a map of vendors the NCRS tent is at GC21A I believe. Also I know Bill Lacy is there (H100-102) and he may know. Pete Lindahl is probably up there also but I'm not sure what booth he is in. You might head out to the judging field, I'm sure there are some NCRS members getting their cars judged that could help you out. Good luck, Shooter

[Terry M.]

Re: Firestone Tire code interpretation

Bruce,
Probably too late for you -- but I have been too busy with BG judging to play computers..

The date code standard you mention started Spring of 1971. Prior to that each manufacturer had their own secret code.

I can't tell you what the 1973 + judges look for in date codes -- or if they do at all. But they could certainly look at the spare. That would be easy. The road tires not so much, but if the date code was staring the chassis judge in the face why would he care? The wheels and tires are judged by the exterior team -- or at least they are in the 1968-1972 and I assUme 1973+ is the same.