Thread: Heat Shrink Hose Clamps (Gates/McMaster Carr)

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Gates advertises a heat shrink hose clamp that is actually supposed to work better then the usual worm drive clamp. Since I'm going to do an engine compartment clean up thought that this might be a big help. I can get rid of that hokey Cool-Flex upper hose, use a piece of 1.5" steel tubing for the upper hose, connecting it to the rad with those clamps. There appear to be lots of sizes so maybe I can get rid of most all those heater hose clamps as well. So far, I can only see one negative - they aren't reusable. Then, of course I'll need a 'bump' on the steel tubing that may be a problem

Anyone ever used these and any problems found?

http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?br...ocation_id=546

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Produc...lamps&deptId=0

http://www.mcmaster.com/#hose-and-tube-clamps/=9kbuxx

never heard of them but i am very interested in what others have to say that have used them.

I had a buddy (now deceased) who used them a few years ago. He thought they were great. They certainly make for a very clean looking installation. I never heard him complain about a leak or any other shortcoming.

Dave,
I had to splice hoses for my upper & lower radiator hoses, and both have the Gates heat shrink clamps on sleeves with no bump. No problems do date. The one thing I learned is that it does not take much heat to shrink them. I slipped these clamps on my radiator and heater hoses to use at the ends, but I wanted to be sure I was ready for a permanent installation since they have to be cut off so I slid them up on the hose leaving room for regular clamps. After a few dyno pulls all of the "temporary" clamps were shrunk in place by the heat of the hoses, creating minor restrictions by squeezing the hoses down I had to cut them all off, and to date I have not gone back and broken the lines apart to put the fancy clamps on. They really do look clean, especially if you clean all of the green print off of them with lacquer thinner before you put them in place. Just be sure to shrink them fully with a heat gun.

They work great & give the engine compartment a clean look. Ford & G.M. have been using them for a few years on their preformed heater hoses & tubes.
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Never heard of them, but they do look nice and clean.

We sell them and have had little inquiry about them.We have had them for 3 years now and I think we sold maybe 2.
They do take a special tool to remove them without cutting the hose but I guess if you're careful it can be done.
They do make for a clean look but I still like the idea of being able to remove and put back with one tool..........just my .02

Thanks folks,

Roger, you just confirmed what I hoped would happen - that they would continue to heat shrink.

Now - to count my clamps and get them on order as they really aren't very expensive

Dave,
NAPA sells them, but I don't know how they are listed in their online system and cannot get them to pull up for a price. Might be worth a call to them to compare with McMaster-Carr.

Originally Posted by rspears

Dave,
NAPA sells them, but I don't know how they are listed in their online system and cannot get them to pull up for a price. Might be worth a call to them to compare with McMaster-Carr.

Roger - they are listed in the NAPA catalog as "Thermoplastic Clamp". None of our local stores have them though the warehouse 15 miles further down the road does have the heater hose sizes - but of course, they will order them. Pricewise, a bit more expensive at NAPA then McMaster Carr, but when shipping is factored in, very close. Thanks for the NAPA tip

As I remember, these were introduced on GM police cars and taxi packages during a program to reduce the leaks and warranty returns due to the leaks. About the same time, the centerbolt valve covers came out for the same reason.

The hose clamps are supposedly better than a gear clamp since they continually are trying to tighten as the hose heats up. They compensate for the movement of the rubber hose where a gear clamp gets loose when the hose shrinks.

Mike in Tucson

Originally Posted by IC2

I can get rid of that hokey Cool-Flex upper hose, use a piece of 1.5" steel tubing for the upper hose, connecting it to the rad with those clamps.

We use these extensively. We have found , however, that you still need a short piece of hose at the ends of the tubing because the clamps are not stout enough to stand up to engine movement and vibration. They are meant to be just that - clamps.

They have been around for awhile. I sold them in my old shop . We use to get them from Napa .They are used on big rigs. Just as posted above they keep tightening under heat .Really clean up the engine area too.

We have them over here Dave, they certainly look much better than Coolflex but only my personal opinion but i don't think you can beat smooth black and polished stainless clips

This is what I have on my Speedway Wish List - and I'll order in the next few days along with a few more items I need (errr---want). I'll probably get the heat shrink pieces from NAPA along with a couple lengths of connector hose.