Spring clamps for heater and radiator hose Rant!

[zyzzyx]

So, I recently I purchased a set of spring clamps for the GTX. Ahhh, I need heater hose! Gates silicone is way too
expensive, so I went to O'reilly's and got seven feet of 5/8" Green Stripe hose for $39.00. Took it home and started
to install it. Found out the Green Stripe is a little too big for the clamps at 1" Diameter! Now to find clamps. First of
all, everyone wants a fortune for them, and no one specifies the sizes for the exact O.D. of the hose. Guessing is
not an option! Found everything in the world at McMaster Carr in Elmhurst, Illinois. They had them in Stainless Steel
for like $6.50 for ten pieces! Some of the vendors want $6.50 for one! WTF! O.K., I'm done!

 

[4speed68rt]

Did they fit?

 

[zyzzyx]

Yes!

 

[davek]

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[threewood]

Better than the set I bought from a well known vendor that had zero spring to them and wouldn't even open to accept the hose. Threw em out and used worm clamps.

 

[65Bel]

So, I recently I purchased a set of spring clamps for the GTX. Ahhh, I need heater hose! Gates silicone is way too
expensive, so I went to O'reilly's and got seven feet of 5/8" Green Stripe hose for $39.00. Took it home and started
to install it. Found out the Green Stripe is a little too big for the clamps at 1" Diameter! Now to find clamps. First of
all, everyone wants a fortune for them, and no one specifies the sizes for the exact O.D. of the hose. Guessing is
not an option! Found everything in the world at McMaster Carr in Elmhurst, Illinois. They had them in Stainless Steel
for like $6.50 for ten pieces! Some of the vendors want $6.50 for one! WTF! O.K., I'm done!View attachment 1406714

Glad you found the right clamps and shared your source! Worm clamps, radiator caps with levers, and corrugated generic radiator hoses all belong on something other than a vintage Mopar IMHO.

 

[Gus chiggins]

So, I recently I purchased a set of spring clamps for the GTX. Ahhh, I need heater hose! Gates silicone is way too
expensive, so I went to O'reilly's and got seven feet of 5/8" Green Stripe hose for $39.00. Took it home and started
to install it. Found out the Green Stripe is a little too big for the clamps at 1" Diameter! Now to find clamps. First of
all, everyone wants a fortune for them, and no one specifies the sizes for the exact O.D. of the hose. Guessing is
not an option! Found everything in the world at McMaster Carr in Elmhurst, Illinois. They had them in Stainless Steel
for like $6.50 for ten pieces! Some of the vendors want $6.50 for one! WTF! O.K., I'm done!View attachment 1406714

I ran across those spring clamps at lowe's, granted they were a gold color. I already had them, but noticed them when i was looking through their fastener bins.

 

[zyzzyx]

One of the things that Irks me is the prices that some of these vendors charge for these parts,
and then they tack on shipping in a box you could put a refrigerator in! I just feel it's good to
let everyone know that there's more than one way to "skin a cat". I hate being taken advantage of.

 

[Gus chiggins]

One of the things that Irks me is the prices that some of these vendors charge for these parts,
and then they tack on shipping in a box you could put a refrigerator in! I just feel it's good to
let everyone know that there's more than one way to "skin a cat". I hate being taken advantage of.

That's the way i feel. This is probably my last car. Legendary is a year out on orders, and it seems like parts prices are getting pretty steep, not to mention services like chroming, and engine machining.

 

[MoparLeo]

"Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten"
Don't be cheap. Just buy them and put them on, done.

 

[hunt2elk]

Has anybody here bought a bag of the larger 1 7/8" and 2" ones for radiator hoses and want to sell a few? Looks like they only come in bags of 25.

 

[zyzzyx]

I had to go and buy some at McMaster Carr. Luckily it's about a half-hour away. They sell in smaller quantities.
Hope this helps!

 

[hunt2elk]

I had to go and buy some at McMaster Carr. Luckily it's about a half-hour away. They sell in smaller quantities.
Hope this helps!

That one by you is probably the nearest to me as well unfortunately.

 

[zyzzyx]

Don't they use them on jeeps or Grand Cherokees? You can't go to a local Dodge dealer and get some????

 

[1STMP]

I've stopped using conventional hose
clamps and have exclusively been
using a Gates brand type of heat
shrink clamp. Easy to install with a
heat gun. Zero leaks and no hose
damage. They will even seal a hose
on a straight piece of tubing with
no bead.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[Timmayy]

Is using the worm screw type hose clamps really that bad?

 

[zyzzyx]

No, but they don't look stock and they actually don't seal as well because they are narrower
and put alot of pressure on the hoses. Some people like the looks of flat stainless steel, and
some like looking stock.

 

[zyzzyx]

I misspoke! The wide clamps don't put as much pressure on the hoses as do the spring clamps. Duh!

 

[hunt2elk]

Isn't the biggest issue, besides looks, of worm screw clamps that they don't give with the expansion/contraction process from hot/cold water? Whereas the spring clamps always provide tension.