What are you using for hose clamps? I have worm gear style hose clamps on my car. Had it in the garage doing some maintenance and put antifreeze in it. Pressurized the system and noticed a very small drip at the radiator hose connection. Tightened the clamp, and it was a little loose, and drip stopped. Out a nutdriver on all of the clamps and they all needed a little snugging. Anyone using spring type constant tension clamps?

Since this appears to be a street car application, (Anti-freeze in the cooling system) I would be more probably use AKIHISA clamps, not cheap but in my opinion the best. I'm not a big fan of the spring type constant tension clamps.

For race car water applications only AN-16 hose and fittings. The cooling flow and efficiency of AN-16 is substantially better than AN-12 (been there, tried that). Just be ready to spend money.

Bob

No street car, cold weather and a car in an enclosed trailer over the winter.

Google AKIHISA clamps on Amazon. Best price I could find.

How cold does it get where you live? We are presently in a heat wave, it warmed up to 45* last night but predicted to be 80* today.

Stay warm and have a great Thanksgiving.

Bob

Been oddly warm so far this year. Woke to 31* this morning, not going to be 50 for the next few days. Can go below zero when it does get cold.
The T bolt style are probably better clamping in a full circle, surprised they don't have springs like the clamps on turbo intercoolers.

I think project farm did a vid on hose clamps.

Partner Darren just used the shrink tube system on his car. Really nice but I don’t know if it would work on our stuff.

I used the Summit Racing ones to build a custom upper radiator hose. They have been on the car for 2.5 years & I use standard hose clamps for the radiator/water neck connections. No issues over the years & 250+ passes. I'll try to remember to take a picture & post up.

2BKING

I'm pretty particular about my hose clamps.

Correct size is key. Do not over tighten.

One tip I learned when doing cooling system services, was to apply Permatex #1 to the hose before assembly. It can save your butt if the clamp fails, or you forget to snug it, and it stops any corrosion trails from developing.

I exclusively use Ideal brand worm gear style.
They have a wide range of options for specialty uses.

I do still use the original upper radiator hose clamp, (O.E. wire style) and radiator, that my car came with new in '79, so there's that.

quote:

I do still use the original upper radiator hose clamp, (O.E. wire style) and radiator, that my car came with new in '79, so there's that. Big Grin

Something to be said for the spring type clamp, for the habitual over torquer, with the advent of plastic necks.

We used the shrink tube to connect the hose joints together with an aluminum or steel sleeve; I can't remember. I had a friend use them on his street/strip car for the water neck & radiator connections.

2BKING

quote:

Originally posted by Goob:
I'm pretty particular about my hose clamps.

Correct size is key. Do not over tighten.

One tip I learned when doing cooling system services, was to apply Permatex #1 to the hose before assembly. It can save your butt if the clamp fails, or you forget to snug it, and it stops any corrosion trails from developing.

I exclusively use Ideal brand worm gear style.
They have a wide range of options for specialty uses.

I do still use the original upper radiator hose clamp, (O.E. wire style) and radiator, that my car came with new in '79, so there's that.

I use the Permatex on daily drivers I work on, never used it on a race car. Always used Ideal clamps have a rack full of all of the sizes. Decades back on circle track cars we'd use 2 hose clamps on each connection for insurance.
I'd say the leak I found was because everything was cold, most likely didn't leak when everything was up to temperature. The spring type clamps held a constant tension hot or cold which is why I understood they were an improvement, also quick install for manufacturers. The shrink type look interesting, I've never used them but they would hold tension.

I just got an email about this clamp system. Kinda interesting.

https://clamptitetools.com/

We have been using the shrink wrap versions on the Vette for 15+ years with zero issues