The engine moves, the firewall doesn’t....
Gruven heater core T-connectors
- Thread starter kbuskill
- Start date
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iamdub
Full Access Member
HiHoeSilver
Away!
I know, I know. Geez, I can't joke around you any more?!
Yeah, c'mon Mark. Would you just look at it already? It's pretty neat.
Just look at it. Lmao.
jatkinson8755
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Ok I guess I need to check out the tool then. Last time i held 1, it worked awesome provided you had lots of clearance around it to actually use it as intended. However in this spot, buried into the firewall where you can barely see it, I think you would have a hell of a time using a spring clamp there.
Ive never once had a hose tear or leak due do the worm clamp, and they do make worm screw clamps that sort of have protectors around the screw part so no chance to tear the hose. But ive never needed that, in 40 yrs or so of working on cars. Also the automaker uses the spring clamp not because its better, its cheaper, and its faster to install than a screw clamp. With that many clamps on an engine, its way quicker to install a spring clamp and the tension is already set. But that doesnt mean its better for you, in this application.
jatkinson8755
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OK more research on hose clamps for ya lol ... its been a real slow week.
Spring Clamps :
A. Wear out (loose tension) and CAN ONLY BE USED 1 TIME. After which, they must be replaced as spring clamps wont hold tension and can leak if reused. Therefore they must be replaced (thats more $ in labor which makes Mary and her stock holders much happier).
B. Are GREAT - if you want to precisely control the clamping force, so you dont damage the underlying tube, ESPECIALLY IF THAT UNDERLYING TUBE IS MADE FROM SHIT GM PLASTIC (which they seem to have their own inferior home brew recipe for and use in absolutely anything they can)
C. Installation of a spring clamp is very quick.
For these 3 reasons, most car makers use them as a cost cutter. But, does that mean they are better for us ? No !
Now, here is a great "compromise" clamp - its a worm clamp but has a "tail" that protects the screw and wont dig into the hose. So you can tighten it down reasonably tight for all temperatures on earth and not have leakage issues (provided you arent clamping down onto a shit GM plastic tube), and also not cut into the hose like a traditional worm clamp may. They are also cheap, thin, easy to install, easy to find, and can be reused a bajillion times (in case, you know, you ever feel like doing that heater core job more than once in your life)
https://www.mcmaster.com/worm-drive-clamps-for-soft-hose
Your thoughts are appreciated here but Im going to suggest these to Gruven.
Spring Clamps :
A. Wear out (loose tension) and CAN ONLY BE USED 1 TIME. After which, they must be replaced as spring clamps wont hold tension and can leak if reused. Therefore they must be replaced (thats more $ in labor which makes Mary and her stock holders much happier).
B. Are GREAT - if you want to precisely control the clamping force, so you dont damage the underlying tube, ESPECIALLY IF THAT UNDERLYING TUBE IS MADE FROM SHIT GM PLASTIC (which they seem to have their own inferior home brew recipe for and use in absolutely anything they can)
C. Installation of a spring clamp is very quick.
For these 3 reasons, most car makers use them as a cost cutter. But, does that mean they are better for us ? No !
Now, here is a great "compromise" clamp - its a worm clamp but has a "tail" that protects the screw and wont dig into the hose. So you can tighten it down reasonably tight for all temperatures on earth and not have leakage issues (provided you arent clamping down onto a shit GM plastic tube), and also not cut into the hose like a traditional worm clamp may. They are also cheap, thin, easy to install, easy to find, and can be reused a bajillion times (in case, you know, you ever feel like doing that heater core job more than once in your life)
https://www.mcmaster.com/worm-drive-clamps-for-soft-hose
Your thoughts are appreciated here but Im going to suggest these to Gruven.
gooffeyguy
Tom
Those look like they will work well
2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon Denali XL
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18
2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon Denali XL
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18
SnowDrifter
Full Access Member
Can't say I agree with that comment on spring clamps. They are my preferred method of securing hoses.
OP
OP
kbuskill
***CAUTION*** I do my own stunts!
Not to burst your bubble but these are similar to the ones I recommended to Paul at the onset of this project.
Perhaps he will listen to you.
The spring clamps would probably be easier to install in this application due to everything being tucked up under the cowl though.
Opinions are like noses...
You can't make everyone happy all the time.
Show me the proof to back up your A statement above. I would like to know who told you they can only be used one time and must be replaced, and if they were to be replaced, how would that result in more labor since they would already be off. It’s no more labor to put a new one on than the old one. If springs lose tension simply by exercising them a couple times, then you’d better buy a ton of coil springs or leaf springs for your vehicles because every time you drive, they will lose their tension. I have reused spring clamps a few times over and never had a leak. If you don’t like them, so be it. You’re in the minority. You aren’t going to convince anybody here with your opinions. Use screw clamps, if that’s what you like.
If you really want to go crazy about clamps they make a worm drive clamp that incorporates a spring to mimic the effectiveness of the factory style spring clamps. This would reinforce what is well known- spring clamps do a better job by providing a constant force under both extreme heat and cold conditions.
Kpwweb
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Spring clamps, worm clamps, those are old school. You want a clamp, you need these:
Think about how tight an area you can get those! Of course, you need room for the heat gun.
But seriously, they have worked well for three years now on my Tahoe. No leaks, no fuss. Look nice as well.
The downside, they are NOT reusable.
Think about how tight an area you can get those! Of course, you need room for the heat gun.
But seriously, they have worked well for three years now on my Tahoe. No leaks, no fuss. Look nice as well.
The downside, they are NOT reusable.
iamdub
Full Access Member
Twist ties FTW. Hundreds of them for free on aisle 3 at Walmart. Just be considerate and twist the bag and tuck the end under the bread after you nab the tie off of it.
I used those on a Harley Davidson V-Rod’s coolant hose but only because looks mattered since it was right in plain sight but I’d never use one unless I had to. It was a PIA. Maybe they’ve gotten easier though. You know what they say though- pics or it didn’t happen!
Mine leaked. Bread was fresh though.Twist ties FTW. Hundreds of them for free on aisle 3 at Walmart. Just be considerate and twist the bag and tuck the end under the bread after you nab the tie off of it.
gooffeyguy
Tom
I've always called those T-bolt clamps. I use those on my Vortech blower output on my 5.0 mustang. Hold well under boost.
Also, I agree about factory spring clamps being reusable. I still use the 24 year old factory spring clamps that came on my '95s radiator and heater hoses..... Lol
2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon Denali XL
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18
They make the regular T-bolt clamps but that’s a T-bolt with a spring added. It’s made specifically for silicone hose.
SnowDrifter
Full Access Member
I would entertain those as a possible idea. But I still prefer traditional spring clamps.
The only info I've been able to find on the "one time use" claim was a post on BITOG from 2013. I've visited their site and was unable to locate that info. I have never read a mention in a service or technical manual that the things need to be replaced. It's been my experience that unless you damage it by exceeding the yield point of the spring steel they use (which by the way is rather difficult to do) they work well beyond the life of the vehicle.
Exactly, and in fact most of the ones used for the last 20 years or so have a built-in limiter tab that stops you from opening them too far so you CANT damage them.
I have never heard you can’t reuse spring clamps, just that if you take a hose off that had a spring clamp holding to not use that hose/clamp combo. I’ve done it and not had an issue but typically I’m taking a hose off because it needs replaced.
