Gruven heater core T-connectors

[Rocket Man]

Screw clamps, spring clamps, nipple clamps... Which one of you is gonna nut up and hard pipe your system with flux and solder or TIG?

The engine moves, the firewall doesn’t....

 

[iamdub]

The engine moves, the firewall doesn’t....

I know, I know. Geez, I can't joke around you any more?!

 

[HiHoeSilver]

I know, I know. Geez, I can't joke around you any more?!

Yeah, c'mon Mark. Would you just look at it already? It's pretty neat.

 

[Rocket Man]

Yeah, c'mon Mark. Would you just look at it already? It's pretty neat.

Just look at it. Lmao.

 

[jatkinson8755]

I guess if you’re still using a pair of channel locks to r&r the spring clamps you might have problems. Buy a pair of spring clamp pliers and you’ll be amazed how easy they are to use. Even in the most difficult places. They ratchet to hold the clamp open and swivel so you can position the pliers conveniently. The springs also hold a steady pressure forever, never a leak. That’s why car makers use them. Screw clamps cut into the hose from the expansion when it gets hot, unlike spring clamps.

Ok I guess I need to check out the tool then. Last time i held 1, it worked awesome provided you had lots of clearance around it to actually use it as intended. However in this spot, buried into the firewall where you can barely see it, I think you would have a hell of a time using a spring clamp there.

Ive never once had a hose tear or leak due do the worm clamp, and they do make worm screw clamps that sort of have protectors around the screw part so no chance to tear the hose. But ive never needed that, in 40 yrs or so of working on cars. Also the automaker uses the spring clamp not because its better, its cheaper, and its faster to install than a screw clamp. With that many clamps on an engine, its way quicker to install a spring clamp and the tension is already set. But that doesnt mean its better for you, in this application.

 

[jatkinson8755]

OK more research on hose clamps for ya lol ... its been a real slow week.

Spring Clamps :

A. Wear out (loose tension) and CAN ONLY BE USED 1 TIME. After which, they must be replaced as spring clamps wont hold tension and can leak if reused. Therefore they must be replaced (thats more $ in labor which makes Mary and her stock holders much happier).

B. Are GREAT - if you want to precisely control the clamping force, so you dont damage the underlying tube, ESPECIALLY IF THAT UNDERLYING TUBE IS MADE FROM SHIT GM PLASTIC (which they seem to have their own inferior home brew recipe for and use in absolutely anything they can)

C. Installation of a spring clamp is very quick.



For these 3 reasons, most car makers use them as a cost cutter. But, does that mean they are better for us ? No !


Now, here is a great "compromise" clamp - its a worm clamp but has a "tail" that protects the screw and wont dig into the hose. So you can tighten it down reasonably tight for all temperatures on earth and not have leakage issues (provided you arent clamping down onto a shit GM plastic tube), and also not cut into the hose like a traditional worm clamp may. They are also cheap, thin, easy to install, easy to find, and can be reused a bajillion times (in case, you know, you ever feel like doing that heater core job more than once in your life)


https://www.mcmaster.com/worm-drive-clamps-for-soft-hose


Your thoughts are appreciated here but Im going to suggest these to Gruven.

 

[gooffeyguy]

Those look like they will work well

2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon Denali XL
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18

 

[SnowDrifter]

Can't say I agree with that comment on spring clamps. They are my preferred method of securing hoses.

 

[kbuskill]

OK more research on hose clamps for ya lol ... its been a real slow week.

Spring Clamps :

A. Wear out (loose tension) and CAN ONLY BE USED 1 TIME. After which, they must be replaced as spring clamps wont hold tension and can leak if reused. Therefore they must be replaced (thats more $ in labor which makes Mary and her stock holders much happier).

B. Are GREAT - if you want to precisely control the clamping force, so you dont damage the underlying tube, ESPECIALLY IF THAT UNDERLYING TUBE IS MADE FROM SHIT GM PLASTIC (which they seem to have their own inferior home brew recipe for and use in absolutely anything they can)

C. Installation of a spring clamp is very quick.



For these 3 reasons, most car makers use them as a cost cutter. But, does that mean they are better for us ? No !


Now, here is a great "compromise" clamp - its a worm clamp but has a "tail" that protects the screw and wont dig into the hose. So you can tighten it down reasonably tight for all temperatures on earth and not have leakage issues (provided you arent clamping down onto a shit GM plastic tube), and also not cut into the hose like a traditional worm clamp may. They are also cheap, thin, easy to install, easy to find, and can be reused a bajillion times (in case, you know, you ever feel like doing that heater core job more than once in your life)


https://www.mcmaster.com/worm-drive-clamps-for-soft-hose


Your thoughts are appreciated here but Im going to suggest these to Gruven.

Not to burst your bubble but these are similar to the ones I recommended to Paul at the onset of this project.

Perhaps he will listen to you.

The spring clamps would probably be easier to install in this application due to everything being tucked up under the cowl though.

Opinions are like noses...

You can't make everyone happy all the time.

 

[Rocket Man]

OK more research on hose clamps for ya lol ... its been a real slow week.

Spring Clamps :

A. Wear out (loose tension) and CAN ONLY BE USED 1 TIME. After which, they must be replaced as spring clamps wont hold tension and can leak if reused. Therefore they must be replaced (thats more $ in labor which makes Mary and her stock holders much happier).

B. Are GREAT - if you want to precisely control the clamping force, so you dont damage the underlying tube, ESPECIALLY IF THAT UNDERLYING TUBE IS MADE FROM SHIT GM PLASTIC (which they seem to have their own inferior home brew recipe for and use in absolutely anything they can)

C. Installation of a spring clamp is very quick.



For these 3 reasons, most car makers use them as a cost cutter. But, does that mean they are better for us ? No !


Now, here is a great "compromise" clamp - its a worm clamp but has a "tail" that protects the screw and wont dig into the hose. So you can tighten it down reasonably tight for all temperatures on earth and not have leakage issues (provided you arent clamping down onto a shit GM plastic tube), and also not cut into the hose like a traditional worm clamp may. They are also cheap, thin, easy to install, easy to find, and can be reused a bajillion times (in case, you know, you ever feel like doing that heater core job more than once in your life)


https://www.mcmaster.com/worm-drive-clamps-for-soft-hose


Your thoughts are appreciated here but Im going to suggest these to Gruven.

Show me the proof to back up your A statement above. I would like to know who told you they can only be used one time and must be replaced, and if they were to be replaced, how would that result in more labor since they would already be off. It’s no more labor to put a new one on than the old one. If springs lose tension simply by exercising them a couple times, then you’d better buy a ton of coil springs or leaf springs for your vehicles because every time you drive, they will lose their tension. I have reused spring clamps a few times over and never had a leak. If you don’t like them, so be it. You’re in the minority. You aren’t going to convince anybody here with your opinions. Use screw clamps, if that’s what you like.