Source for 90's hose clamps?

[TJ Hopland]

Kinda one of those mysteries why the only style of hose clamp that is super readily available is the worm drive type.   Which type didn't appear to ever have been used by an OEM?   The worm drive.

For just flat out clamping performance the spring style clamps they started using in the 90's seem to work really well.  An advantage to them is they apply constant tension so they don't come loose.   These don't have a coil spring they are just made from a spring material.   I see Gates makes some that are the worm type but have a coil spring to provide the constant tension which I may give a try if I can't find the OE spring type.

Doorman makes the smaller spring ones and my opinion the quality is pretty crappy.  Hopefully there is an OEM option out there somewhere?   It would be kinda annoying that you can get the wire ones and the thin metal screw ones that were also OEM in the 60's and 70's but not the 90's style which I think is still what many makes are using. 

[Daryl Chesterman]

TJ, there are some at McMaster-Carr, and I have seen random sizes on Ebay and Amazon.  They seem to be called "constant-tension hose clamps"  If you know what size you need and can convert from SAE size to Metric, a good GM parts man should be able to get you what you need.

     https://www.mcmaster.com/constant-tension-hose-clamps/constant-tension-spring-band-clamps-for-firm-hose-and-tube/

Look toward the end of this link:

     https://hcl-clamping.com/collections/constant-tension-hose-clamps?page=2

Daryl Chesterman

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Worm clamps are superior.
I 'believe' its no longer a judging deduction in touring, I'm sure an accredited judge will jump in here.

[TJ Hopland]

Worm clamps will eventually loosen up.  Not sure if its the heat cycles or vibration or a combination of both but they do get loose.  On small diameter stuff they also have that flat spot on em for the worm that in some cases won't let you get a good seal. 

Originally I thought the factories went to the spring type just to make it faster to assemble but it seem like they actually work good long term.   One downside kinda big downside to this type is they have to be a very specific size.  Probably another reason worm drives are whats available,  they cover a decent range of sizes.

[smokuspollutus]

Not sure TJ, for my money I have always gotten a good seal with the double wire clamps, to me they're the best of both worlds, doesn't cut the hose as you crank it down, and in the field where things are pitted/bent/less than ideal, you have a lot of adjustment to get it right. Never seen one loosen up, assuming the fine threads of the screw helps with that.

[TJ Hopland]

I have considered the wire ones and they do seem to be available.  I think my 73 still has a few and they have been working well.

[TJ Hopland]

Has anyone used or seen the Gates ones used?   The more I think about it these may be worth a try.  The radiator size ones seem to be in the $5-10 range which isn't bad if they are high quality and hassle free.

https://www.gates.com/us/en/fluid-power/engine-hose/hose-clamps-and-couplings.p.7408-000000-000002.html

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

So called "worm gear" clamps are a deduction in
Touring as well as Primary.  See Appendix J in the
judging manual.  One point deduction for each
incorrect clamp.

They are kind of a pain in the neck since they
do not keep constant pressure on the hose and
gradually loosen up. They need to be retightened
every so often.

Mike

[TJ Hopland]

In my case I'm not showing cars.  Just looking for something hassle free, reliable, and reasonably easy to find and buy.

[79 Eldorado]

TJ,
At least 5 years ago I bought a lot of different sizes of constant tension clamps on Amazon. There was one seller selling many different sizes. They do take a little more work to get the size right. I just went to one link I had saved and one source, even though it was listed on Amazon, was clipsandfasteners.com I made an Excell workbook with some of the sizes and hose wall thicknesses which it seems can vary be manufacturer. I'm including some captures.

I've also purchased that other "Gates" style before. I've used them for fuel hoses. There is a source on Amazon I can likely find but there is also a person selling a version made I think Sweden. I spoke to the guy probably 10 years ago and I don't know if I will find the contact info but I'll try searching email. He was good and because I thought I might be between sizes I recall he threw in a couple of free samples with the order. Here's what I bought on Amazon by description "10pcs/Set T-Bolt Clamps Stainless Steel Heavy Duty Mini Fuel Line Pipe Hose Clips 6mm-20mm Optional Size for Plumbing (16-18mm) ". That's an example of one size but once you navigate there you can select a size.

It can be difficult to find sizes large enough for the radiator hoses; PN no issue but a source can be the problem. I didn't think about McMaster-Carr at the time but I think it's worth checking there. I'm including a capture I made which I think was for the constant tension clamps.

Scott

Edit: I found the source for the high quality clamps from "Sweden"??:
https://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/login.php?osCsid=cqnn8csb9bbpdup1rs9s1lpek3

[79 Eldorado]

Take a look at the ABA clamps here:
https://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/index.php?cPath=309_31_346

They have sizes of that style going up to as high as 4.5 inches. It does seem you need to click on each number to see the application size though. It would be nicer if he had a chart.

Scott