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Hose clamps

Mac

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A couple days ago I took the radiator out of my BJ7 to replace the lower hose. Along with the new hose I ordered the wire hose clamps from Moss as well. Mine had the more common band clamps that you would buy at any auto parts store. However, after looking at the wire clamps I'm questioning how well they may or may not hold the hose to the radiator. It looks to me like the band clamps would do a better job though the wire ones probably look a little more original. Any thoughts on the merits of the wire clamp? mac
 
Mac,
Some sources seem to indicate that a band type clamp is more original for the BJs. I personally have never liked the wire clamps & would replace them with band type even if the wire was more original.
Maybe John's concours guidelines can help again.

D

[ 11-21-2003: Message edited by: Dave Russell ]</p>
 
Hi Mac,

I tried a set of those clamps at one point. Most of them worked o.k. but the one for the top hose that Moss sold me was just too small and couldn't get it to install properly. I went back to the band type. Pulling out the Concours Guidelines it says that the BJ7 and BJ8 have serrated strap-type tangential worn-type clamps with the screw integral with the clamp, illustrated in the Factory Parts List (HCS507), that are similar to those used on U.S. cars of the 60's. The strap "threads" are raised projections from stamping, and not the slots as on US type clamps of this style. These will be acceptable without deduction only if "Made in U.K." pr "Made in England" is stamped on the screw housing, and the "threads" are correctly formed.
The Heater and Breather hose clamps are wire-type, zinc-plated with a fine-thread round-head Phillips head screw with a 1/4" shank under the head.

Cheers,
John
 
Trying to revert my BT7 to orininality as much as funds and available parts will allow, I ordered a set of wire clamps. My experience with them, though, has not been totally favorable. Especially on the larger clamps, the small #10 (I believe) screw size is way too small to get the clamping tension on the hose you might think you need. The threaded plate the screw goes into is very thin and sometimes strips out when cranking down the screw. For samll hoses, such as the heater take-off, it should be no problem. But on the bigger hoses, be careful to only tighten the clamps "enough" and maybe just a bit more.

FWIW. From experience.
 
I use the wire clamps with little problem but... when I replace a big hose I use a band clamp for a couple of weeks then replace it with the wire clamp. The band clamp seems to 'set' the hose allowing the wire clamp to work succesfully.

If you think to put the wire clamp loosely on the hose but up out of the way you can later replace the band clamp with the wire w/o disturbing that 'set'.

Oh my what a lot of bother that sounds like just to maintain an original look!
 
In most cases on my 1960 BN7 I used band type clamps. The English version is called a "Jubilee" clamp and can be ordered through various English suppliers (Woolies, Holden etc.) In general I've found that if there is a raised surface ahead of the hose fitting the wire type clamps could be used as they merely keep the hose from sliding over. However, if the pipe fitting is straight the wire clamps just don't seem to seal properly no matter how tight they are. The one exception was on the gas tank hose leading up to the filler. Two clamps are required and because the hose slides down the tube for a greater length the wire type clamp seals very well.
smile.gif
 
This weekend I installed new radiator and heater hoses. The wire radiator hose clamps I ordered from M*** Motors, along with the radiator hoses, did not fit. The screws were too short.

I solved this with new screws from the hardware store. But they are not #12 size. They are metric, M5 .8 pitch. Had to settle for phillips head instead of the correct slot head.

I did settle for a band clamp on the lower lower fitting on the long radiator hose. It was an access and certainty issue. I did not want to have to revisit that location.

Just some thoughts from experience.
 
Brian, I also noticed that the screws were too short. And I think you were right on to put a band clamp on the bottom radiator fitting. I was thinking of doing the same thing as I too do not want to revisit that area again, not a fun job. mac
 
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