Talking to Cole and he mentioned some HEAT SHRINK "rings" he used as hose clamps on the F-100. They work like a hose clamp and believe it or not dont leak. Very clean. He bought em at Pleasanton but cant find them anymore!? Anyone know who makes em? We think they are an OEM thingy? Thanks.
I used to sell them at a local auto parts store, I believe that "Gates" made them, you may also find them from "Balkamp" or another maker. Personally I never used them myself but was told that they are very clean and give a factory look when used.
They can be found under the hood of late model Chevys, and they can be found at your NAPA store. NAPA calls them Powergrip Clamps. They do make for a tidy clamp.
I've been using the heatshrink clamps now for about 5yrs. and they work great! They realy clean things up. Both Gates and Napa have them (reboxed Gates items).
I put-um my 40' coupe and like the different look as the cost was the same as a chrome / stainless worm screw clamps. They can be trimmed for length and will not weep, but they are not reusable so I still carry some regular clamps as spares. I like the way the lower water pump one fits up real tight to the drive belt with out any clearance worries. I bought them up at the local real auto store that carries gates products......H Pic of rad clamp that could have been trimmed better. Just install, hit um with a heat gun a little then engine temp will take it the reat of the way.
only thing is that if you dont have a real sure hand with a box cutter or a fish knife, you'd better have one of those special removal tool thingys (its like a retard proof letter opener for hose clamps) or you'll be replacing the hose too. plus they're not reuseable. BUT they are super clean looking, and i've tested them too...they work NICE!
These are the coolest - Gates brought them to market in about 1996. I played hell getting them. Best thing is a little thinner takes the name off so they are all black. Hides the hose "clamps". I do carry extra ones along with regular clamps - just in case.
they should work well on custom hoses , where you may use steel tube in the middle to get the angles needed on a custom install.
I don't know, I actually WORK on my motor. So I like to be able to remove and replace the hoses when I am WORKING on it and not have to buy a new clamp. If you want disposable **** that you can trhow away and replace. . that is "clean" looking . . . you might want to head down to the Scion dealership in your town. I vote no on this new piece of plastic.
I like the looks, I just installed a custom stainless upper "hose" on the touring. I think those clamps will go in the road box and I will use these. They do look different than what Cole described though!?
looks nice and clean but can you use it between a hard plumbed line ant the manifols or rad ????? or do you have to use a hose with them on both sides of the ends ???????????????????
are they as strong? I build alot of demo derby cars, I wonder of theyd hold up as well under a lotta heat and pressure? exhibit A:
gates website about them http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?brochure=927&location_id=546 later jim
I don't mind regular hose clamps, shinny or not, these plastic clamps are just something different, (with many pluses and minuses). Some may try them but I'll bet they wouldn't work out for most due to Pick one=(cost to much,one time use,not trad,too much h***el,only come in one color,no gay approval stamp??). BUT for one I can not get past those metal ribbed hoses with the oversized covers with the screw clamp heads sticking out of them!! Sorry ... those things are just not for me. ...........H Pic #3....Clamps for vehicle coolant only., just remove cardboard before using, install and heat. The larger of the two is about 1/16" thick (smaller a little less), extremely strong, feels like shinny ABS.
Cool, found some at my parts store tonight. The price was a lot more than regular clamps but I think they will clean up the car. My parts guys said they had a hard time selling them and dont usually carry them. I bought em out from under another rodder in town, a customer of mine . Relax, the store ordered 10 more for tomorrow morning.
"I don't know, I actually WORK on my motor. So I like to be able to remove and replace the hoses when I am WORKING on it and not have to buy a new clamp. If you want disposable **** that you can trhow away and replace. . that is "clean" looking . . . you might want to head down to the Scion dealership in your town. I vote no on this new piece of plastic." This For real ? funny. My goal is to do it right once and not work on it again. I vote No for un needed work.LOL
I have all but 1 hose on my '70 C10 done with these and I work on my truck all the time. If I'm pulling the rad I take the water jacket off and the lower hose is a standard clamp. As far as my heater hoses, I can't remember the last time (over a year) that I even messed with them. One real good atttribute is they hold a thick uniform bite without gouging up the hose and heat from cycling the motor keeps them tight. The truckers here in MT swear by them, I think that was the original application. My best use was around my column mounted tach to the bracket (original designed for a hose clamp). swdobbs....
[ QUOTE ] My best use was around my column mounted tach to the bracket (original designed for a hose clamp). swdobbs.... [/ QUOTE ] Consider that idea stolen...
[ QUOTE ] "I don't know, I actually WORK on my motor. So I like to be able to remove and replace the hoses when I am WORKING on it and not have to buy a new clamp. If you want disposable **** that you can trhow away and replace. . that is "clean" looking . . . you might want to head down to the Scion dealership in your town. I vote no on this new piece of plastic. This For real ? funny. My goal is to do it right once and not work on it again. I vote No for un needed work.LOL [/ QUOTE ] Cole- you rule and all, but what the hell? maybe i worded it a little strongly but yeah. . . I don't think I am the only one that tends to drive cars long enough to swap an engine or two, maybe a water pump or thermostat, and just change things to try things out like an intake maybe . . . why use disposable stuff when a good stainless clamp will last a lifetime?
[ QUOTE ] why use disposable stuff when a good stainless clamp will last a lifetime? [/ QUOTE ] I aggree! We are too much a disposable society already. One reason the product was developed in the first place, I'd suppose, is to sell the "replacement". Bottom line once again....money.
didnt mean to offend prais the lowered ,your reply seemed macho based. there is a place and time for these and as someone else mentioned they use them on top but normal on bottom. but they are really *****en for alot of uses Iv had them on a f-1oo we did for three years , never had a problem , I might use them to mock a set of headers up and punch some holes in and tack thru. sorry just think people shouldnt be so quick to put down something they havent tried . peace& Love-CF
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