Radiator and heater hose clamps

[Terry M.]

This was initially a off-topic post that more properly belongs as its own and so here it is.

My direct experience with spring clamps is limited to my long-forgotten youth. I can tell you that I am among those who don't periodically tighten screw clamps and only once have I had a screw clamp fail. That was shortly after installing it and I suspect I failed to tighten it sufficiently during that installation. I did have another radiator hose failure, but that involved a fabricated installation that didn't have the raised bump on the metal tube. Installing that protrusion solved that failure. My conclusion was that was not a failure of the screw clamp, but rather a failure to fabricate a proper connection.

I should add that I will often place some small amount of my favorite lubricant (silicone grease) on the interior of the screw clamp. This allows for less friction between the metal of the clamp and the rubber of the hose. It allows the screw clamp to "creep" around the rubber hose and apply mor even pressure to the hose.

I really like the screw clamps that are entirely stainless steel, screw and all. The inexpensive OEM screw clamps with steel screws are prone to corrosion in daily use and proper clamping force is problematic with repeated use. They work OK for initial one-time use but should be upgraded for frequent regular use unless judging is a concern.

If you wish to preserve your radiator hoses, there is a special type of screw clamp that has a smooth surface all around the contact surface with the hose. The usual openings in the band for the screw are either raised for the screw to get purchase or the smooth band wraps all around the surface that is in contact with the hose. These in stainless steel are usually available from marine supply stores. They are used on silicone radiator hoses in marine applications and on police service vehicles. In police service these clamps and hoses are life-time items and never need changing. I can't speak to the marine application, but I expect someone who does will read this and enlighten us.

This is all probably more than you wanted to know about screw clamps. Don't get me started about tower clamps. Those are a whole other story.

Terry

[Leo G.]

Re: Radiator and heater hose clamps

Terry,
Very interesting thanks for sharing. It never dawned on me to apply the lube to the clamp it self. Brilliant!

Drive em safe
Leo

[William G.]

Re: Radiator and heater hose clamps

Terry,

By spring clamps you mean what I call worm-drive clamps, right. I have never liked the appearance of worm-drive clamps as, to me, the tail of the clamp where it exits the worm screw looks untidy and down-right ugly. But then, that's just my opinion and not worth much. I'm in agreement as to the quality and the all stainless construction but they look UGLY, and the appearance might be improved by cutting off the tail but how ridiculous is that? Again, this opinion is not worth two cents but it is mine and with it come my apologies.

Bill

[Terry M.]

Re: Radiator and heater hose clamps

Terry,

By spring clamps you mean what I call worm-drive clamps, right. I have never liked the appearance of worm-drive clamps as, to me, the tail of the clamp where it exits the worm screw looks untidy and down-right ugly. But then, that's just my opinion and not worth much. I'm in agreement as to the quality and the all stainless construction but they look UGLY, and the appearance might be improved by cutting off the tail but how ridiculous is that? Again, this opinion is not worth two cents but it is mine and with it come my apologies.

Bill

No Bill. Worm drive or screw clamp are the same thing. Spring clamps are the 1968 and earlier style as well as very recent vehicles have. The sealing force the spring clamps provide is the tension applied by their spring pressure. They require a plyers to overcome that tension to remove, whereas the screw or worrm clamps require a screwdriver of socket of the appropriate size to install.

[Joe L.]

Re: Radiator and heater hose clamps

Terry,

By spring clamps you mean what I call worm-drive clamps, right. I have never liked the appearance of worm-drive clamps as, to me, the tail of the clamp where it exits the worm screw looks untidy and down-right ugly. But then, that's just my opinion and not worth much. I'm in agreement as to the quality and the all stainless construction but they look UGLY, and the appearance might be improved by cutting off the tail but how ridiculous is that? Again, this opinion is not worth two cents but it is mine and with it come my apologies.

Bill

Bill------


Here is my post from another thread in which I provided some information regarding spring-type clamps.


Spring clamps are actually superior to screw clamps. Spring clamps of the proper size exert a constant clamping force of the rubber hose even as the hose progressively compresses over time. Screw type clamps do not. They have to be periodically tightened to compensate for hose compression. Very often this chore is forgotten. Then, at an inopportune time the hose can separate from the radiator.

[Tom R.]

Re: Spring clamps

Spring clamps, frequently used on fuel and fuel vapor emission lines to secure hose to metal. The photo below shows the mid-1970s 2nd design with the "safety" feature; the straight across edges were rounded. Sizes were color coded red = 1/4" green 3/8" Yellow 1/2" and black.

fuel lines & spring clips.jpg

[Larry E.]

Re: Radiator and heater hose clamps

Picture below is my idea of a "Spring Clamp"(Lower Left) which I like over "Screw Type Clamps".
If you want to keep everything original keep your "Tower Clamps" which I have never had trouble
with even though my cars are Trailer Queens. Most have been on there for 15-20 years. JMHO
Larry

[Terry M.]

Re: Radiator and heater hose clamps

When spring clamps are new, I agree with those who state they are superior - as Joe emphasizes "of the proper size"

Take them off a few times and they lose their spring ability, especially if they are removed with excessive vigor..

The best clamps are the tower clamps, but like spring clamps they must be properly removed and suffer from failure after several R & R events.