Gates heat shrink hose clamps
- Thread starter JCSB
- Start date
Sinovac
GT Owner
I have not used those, but if you are looking for an excellent constant tension hose clamp, I recommend the Ideal Flex-Gear. It is a worn drive clamp with a bellville washer stack for constant tension. The upper hose on my GT's oil bottle would weep because of the OEM spring clamp. I replaced it with one of these, painted black. Napa has them.
http://www.idealclamps.com/catalog/clamps/catalog.php?ID=10
http://www.idealclamps.com/catalog/clamps/catalog.php?ID=10
Cobrar
GT Owner
Historical perspective: They were never approved for OEM use, mainly due to lack of serviceability. Also, tension (leak paths) varied with initial heat set (on installation), which wasn't well controlled at that time. Perhaps there have been improvement in the technology, as I have seen them in LOW pressure/non-critical applications.
The Grey Ghost
GT Owner
Don't remember the specific brand, but we have used a similar product with very good results.
Used it on a coolant bypass hose when the OE rubber/steel line was unavailable and waiting for it to ship in was not an option.
Clamped the hose to a straight steel line without any flare. They are size specific and then heated to compress.
Van went from KC to New Mexico and back to Michigan with no problems, at that time the correct line was replaced, all though not really needed.
Used it on a coolant bypass hose when the OE rubber/steel line was unavailable and waiting for it to ship in was not an option.
Clamped the hose to a straight steel line without any flare. They are size specific and then heated to compress.
Van went from KC to New Mexico and back to Michigan with no problems, at that time the correct line was replaced, all though not really needed.
Thanks for the feedback. I bought a 1960 Austin Healey that I'm re-doing the hoses on and would like to dress it up some without introducing any problems. I like the constant tension clamps and will probably go with those.
John
John
eg1985
GT Owner
I have used the Gates shrink clamps many times for coolant, radiator, and bypass hoses regularly in my shop with excellent results. Of course they are not reusable so I like to use them for hose connections and tees that are not routinely removed. They are fine for PCV and breather hoses but never ever should be used for fuel systems.