Best

[HIZNHRZ]

My car is a 91. I've read a few times about how tough it is to work with the factory hose clamps. I've got a set of Samco hoses and was going to install them.

What clamps do you recommend for ease of use?

What clamps, in your opinion, look best?

Anyone have any pictures?

Thanks.

[tomtom72]

I don't have any picts but when I got the samco stuff they didn't offer the clamps that samco says work best with their hoses. The store @ the reg site has them now, though.

My 90 had the sprung steel clamps and I believe there was a service issue about loss of coolant from the "ideal" type screw clamps and that's why the factory decided to use the sprung steel clamps.

I notice with my 90, that having used "ideal" screw type clamps that I bought at the local marine supply store because of all s/s materials..not just the band or just the screw but both....that I'm loosing some coolant vapor upon completion of a "use cycle"....I smell it & can't see any leaks & if I use my p-tester on the cold system everything is tight...that kind of backs up what the factory was saying about the screw type clamps....I live with it:o

:cheers:
Tom

[rkreigh]

sears and a few other tool stores have a "cable clamp tool" it's designed specifically for the spring clamps which maintain tension. the LT5 has a high flow water pump and I used the fancy clamps we sell on the store and went to the samco hoses. it didn't happen at first, but I too notice the "coolant smell" and I have tightened up the clamps but still am getting the smell. for that reason, I would stay with the factory clamps. they are cheap, work, and although a pain to work with, likely will eliminate this problem.

the hoses are tough to work on. remove the belt and the tensioner to make access a bit easier. a lift really helps getting to the thermostat housing and the short hoses are very tight.

the samco hoses look great and will likely last longer than the car!

[bradslt5]

that tool he talked about makes working with the clamps easy .i got mine a kragens for 10 bucks.sure beats them snapping back on your fingers which smarts

[Aurora40]

sears and a few other tool stores have a "cable clamp tool" it's designed specifically for the spring clamps which maintain tension.
I agree. Scott, before you decide they are tough to work on, try it out. In my opinion a specialized remote tool is easier to work with than screw-type clamps. I've never seen a remote screwdriver, and if the clamp is in a tight area or rotated wrong, a screw-type clamp can be a real bear too.

The best feature of the OEM clamps is they are constant pressure. Put them on lined up straight, and you will never have to mess with them again. They'll never loosen up and need to be retightened. As the hose deforms and becomes permanently impressed, OEM clamps will take up the slack.

Just my opinion, but I really think the OEM ones are the way to go. If you can't find a tool locally, feel free to borrow mine.

Looks are sort of subjective. I cleaned mine up and sprayed them with some matte black hi-temp paint. But I just wanted them to not stand out, and I always found it odd the OEM one on the upper radiator was not black like the rest.

[HIZNHRZ]

Nuff said. If the aftermarket clamps can't do the job like the factory clamps I'll stick with the factory clamps. Thanks to all for the benefit of your collective experience!