alberto_mg Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 I have a custom radiator setup on my car. As a result, I had to switch from stock formed rubber coolant hoses to 1.5" diameter silicon coolant hoses. I sourced from both bakerprecision and pegasusautoracing. I got the worm clamps from Pegasus as they recommended them to me when I was ordering. I installed everything a few days ago and have gone through a few heat cycles. I thought I was smelling some coolant so I rented a coolant pressure tester from autozone. Turns out that the worm clamps had all loosed up over just a few days and a few heat cycles. At just 10 PSI of pressure, I would get a fair amount of coolant leaking from the clamped hoses. Does anyone here have any recommendations on a good clamp that won't leak or loosen up after some heat cycles? I'm thinking of a T bolt clamp might work - like I have on the intercooler hoses - but am having difficulty finding the right size for a 1.5" inner diameter hose. Any input from someone who has experienced this would be greatly welcome. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gian Bowles Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 Does anyone here have any recommendations on a good clamp that won't leak or loosen up after some heat cycles? Any input from someone who has experienced this would be greatly welcome. Thanks. One clamp that works very well is the Python clamp. it's rated up 2500 psi. Cost is not bad. You can check out their web page, or call Vicky at Wildpony Motorsports. the biggest fall back is getting them. Some times next day and sometimes 3 to 4 months. Just never know. But they are amazingly well engineered and you can reuse them over and over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob S. Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 I use Constant-Tension Lined Worm-Drive Hose Clamps from McMaster on my radiator hoses. They work great. No leaks even after I blew my heat gasket and pressurized the system. McMaster part number = 5281K17 (5/8" band) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingDog Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 I'd go with lined worm clamps from McMaster, but if you want to go overboard you could get T-bolt clamps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alberto_mg Posted February 29, 2008 Author Share Posted February 29, 2008 Thanks for the link to McMaster and the PN. I think I will try those. They look pretty frickin cool. I'm still learning about fasteners but those seem to offer some benefits over the T bolt clamp due to the Constant-Tension attribute. Thank you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alberto_mg Posted February 29, 2008 Author Share Posted February 29, 2008 Thought I'd share pics of the setup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alberto_mg Posted March 12, 2008 Author Share Posted March 12, 2008 I figured I'd update in case anyone stumbles across this thread and decides to use that PN above. The clamps don't work even though the listed range is correct to the diameter of my hose. The clamp just isn't able to tighten up / screw down sufficiently to take up the slack in the worm drive. I'll see if I can take a pic later. I ordered some Tbolt clamps and some other constant torque clamps made by Breeze to see if that works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Rabbit Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 I always retighten the clamps after everything is hot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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