Replacing Worm Gear Hose Clamps with Tower Clamps

[Jason Edge]

I've started replacing my worm gear clamps with correct for 63/64 tower clamps and started with the radiator hose clamps on the top and had to screw the 2 1/16" top clamps almost all the way to get them to tighten.  After running the engine I noticed I had a drip leak on the top radiator side clamp and I pulled the hose and clamp and noticed that the worm gear clamps had compressed the hose considerably. 

Given the fact you don’t have as much tighten range with the tower clamps, it just doesn’t get a good grip when installing directly over where you had worm gear clamps. 

To stop the leak, I cut the hose back about an 1.5” and reinstalled the hose applying anti-seize to make removal easier and to help seal, and now have no leaks.  My hoses were replaced just over a year ago with my engine rebuild and look good other than the compressed  rings from the worm gear clamps, however, I went ahead and ordered a set of new AC Delco hoses off ebay.  

I think given the fact we tend to over-tighten the worm gear clamps and they leave a compressed indention ring on the hose anyway, it is a good idea to install new hoses if going back to the original style tower clamps.

tagged - tower hose clamps

[Jason Edge]

Yes, they were used on the heater and radiator hoses.

[Charles Harris]

Were these clamps used on heater hoses as well as the radiator hoses, I am about to take out my whole heater system, since i can't get the compressor pulley off, I might as well change out the hoses, thinking about replacing the heater core....even though it's not leaking.

[Jason Edge]

Just to add a good source for clamp kits are the online Corvette Sites. I have another set of Wittek clamps with 1st qtr 1964 date stamp on the way I picked up from a Vette site. Usually not that particular for date stamps but for only $10 over other sets out there I have a set with date stamps on the way.

 

[Russ Austin]

Good post.  The worn gear clamps have a tendancy to loosen up.