Hi all,

I purchased the original style hose clamps for a lower radiator hose from Fuscik. They seem too big and they bottom out before I can feel much resistance in the screwdriver. Just confirming these are too big? I don't suppose they are designed to bottom and when they do - they are deemed tight enough? If too big, Fuscik's catalog is wrong.

Thanks!

 

Year, make and model ? What size hose ? Which clamp ? Picture ?

 

Its a 76 Cutlass lower radiator hose. Their catalog claims the right clamps are 2 1/4 for the radiator end and 2 1/2 for the water pump end... but I can easily bottom out both clamps when installed. Can't move the clamp on the hose afterwords but seems like the screw should get tight before bottoming?

 

I just looked up the hose on my Carquest and Napa accounts and they both show a 1 1/2" hose ? If that is correct then the larger clamps will probably not work

 

Hypothesis:
I have observed the exact same problem with the J shaped bypass hose on my 68.
I have OEM hoses from the 70s & 80s. They are thicker than whats available today. I'll bet the same holds true with the main hoses.

The repro dual wire clamps bottom out on themselves before getting a good interference fit on the pump and stat nipples.
I dont think the repro clamp manufacturer took this stack up tolerance miss match into account.

Ill bet the same holds true with other styles of repro clamps.