froggy47

I put a new radiator in & new Gates hoses, but I reused the stock (2004) clamps & have a small weep at the big lower hose at the radiator end.

I think it must be the clamp, the rad looks fine (new) so what do you guys use for good clamps, be specific, where do I buy it, etc.

Thanks!

CHJ In Virginia

I use the stainless steel screw type hose clamps. Get the ones that have the hex head as well as the screw driver slot on the screw, easier to tighten securely. Got mine at the local Auto parts store. The stock spring type clamps will eventually loose tension and cause leaks.

flink

ABA hose clamps are good: very beefy and you can put lots of torque into them without fearing that they're about to go "pop" and slip a thread.

froggy47

mgarfias

the standard worm drive stuff is best. i've tried the fancy crap and its very size sensitive, generally a pain in the ***, and isn't any better at sealing.

davidfarmer

I have changed radiators, and had the new fittings be slightly smaller than the OEM. I'd make sure the fitting is both sized correctly, and secure. If it is new aluminum tubing, you might try scuffing it a bit so the rubber hose will adhere better once clamped.

Double clamping is always an option, just use a few normal cheap clamps from Lowes, at least for your troubleshooting

travisnd

Had a few C5s over the years and done lots of tracking and never had a single issue with the OEM style clamps. I prefer them for working on the car. Easy to grab them with pliers.

froggy47

I'll take a green scrubby to it, but it does not look like the hose is slipping.

froggy47

I like the oem too, but maybe the Dewitts is a different OD than stock?

I don't recall how much I had to squeeze to get it on, I have the special pliers that lock the oem style open so it's EZ.

froggy47

Now that's a hose clamp.

Just what I was looking for and there's even a rock group named for the clamp:

Abba



I will pick some up & report.

travisnd

FWIW I had a Dewitts with EOC in my old Z06 and had no issues with the OEM hoses and clamps.

froggy47

Check this.

https://www.belmetric.com/

froggy47

How "old" were they, mine are 2004. What hose did you use? Could be a small difference between Gates & OEM?

travisnd

It was a 2001 Z06 that I had owned since 2003. I want to say the car had about 65,000 miles on it when I did the radiator/oil cooler install. I used the OEM hoses w/o issue.

On the current racecar I replaced the hoses because the car had 119k on it when I was prepping it. I purchased OEM replacements from www.gmpartshouse.com. If you're using a non-OEM hose that could be the issue.

froggy47