Well since I can’t work on any of the major tasks that are waiting for me because of all the incompetence we have to deal with, I figured I could do some consumer reporting today.
I’ll start off with the hose clamps. When I send the radiator out to be gone over this spring I’ll be changing the hoses and clamps. I wanted to use the original style clamps because I am trying to “Restore” this truck back to its original configuration. I ordered clamps from Jim Carter as described in their catalog, “Original flat type, very close to those used by GM”. Very disappointed when I got them, they looked like they were made out of recycled tin cans and bend up with a pair of needle nose pliers. Chromed to look like SS, but not really, the screw is Hex head/Phillips, also they were stamped 42mm. hardly what GM used in the 50’s. At two bucks each I expected more.
Then I tried again with Dave Mihalko at Restoration Specialties in Windber, PA.
Now these look exactly like the original ones that GM used. Heavier by more than 25% and wider by more than 25%, Zinc plated to look like Cadmium and they have a slotted round head machine screw. The nut is captured as the original ones were where on Carters they are not, this is more clear in the picture. This is a good reproduction of the original GM hose clamps. And before I forget, $5.00 for the four clamp set, (upper and lower). I also ordered the heater hose clamps and they are of equal quality. Top notch product!!!
Hose Clamp Comparison picture;
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2918099810098611668VewHtn Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
