Mopar Hose Clamps--Leakage Issues

[Chatt69chgr]

What has been your experience with leakage when using the original Mopar water hose clamps like supplied on 69 Chargers?  I have heard that they lose tension over time and leak.  I hope this isn't the case as I would like to use them on my 440 69 Charger restoration.

What is the best place to buy a set of these clamps.  I am talking about those that go on the radiator as well as the heater and bypass hoses.  Thanks.

[hemigeno]

I haven't had any issues in 6 or 7 years since I put a set on.  Got the set from good ol' YearOne...

[histoy]

These hose clamps are available from several sources.   I've had good luck with the ones supplied by Year One, but poor luck with 2 other sets purchased elsewhere.  Unfortunately, I can't remember the other supplier right now.   The ones that leaked anti freeze didn't grip the hose tightly enough after they were originally installed.  I was dumb enough to use them thinking they must all fit that way.  BIG mistake that caused a real mess with the freshly painted engines.  The bottomline is if the clamp doesn't fit really tight, don't use it.

[Nacho-RT74]

Mines are still the factory ones

[moparguy01]

mine are aftermarket ones cause frankly, I dispise the factory piles of crap.  but unless it gets real rusty it shouldnt loose tension.

[Charger Steve]

Here is a little hint, smear a little bit of silicone on the insides of the hoses when using this type of clamp. Let it set up before starting up the engine. I know these clamps suck but they are what Mother Mopar gave us back then. If you are looking for the original look this is the only way to go. If you don't care about originality then use any worm screw type clamp like the Ford and Chevy guys use. You can buy new corbin style clamp kits from a lot of different places.

[resq302]

The set I got from Bill Alphin of A&M High Tech Auto did not leak at all.  I also used a little bit of pipe thread sealant with Teflon smeared on the inside of the hoses which seems to not only prevent them from leaking, but also does not let them get "glued" to the fitting or nipple so you can reuse the hose again.  A little side note..... make SURE the pipe thread sealant has TEFLON in it as I found out the regular stuff leaks.  Must be something about the teflon that does not make it leak and seal up nice.

[Steve P.]

Good spring clamps and good hoses on clean rad. nipples is the major issue. Most times a leak when using  Corbin/spring clamps it is due to the hose being stuck and not being able to move to seal. I have never used any kind of sealer, but I was taught to spit on my finger and rub it around inside the new hose. This is a great lubricator and cannot harm anything.

I have seen el-cheapo brands of hose leak even when done right. Sometimes it is a problem with them being very hard/stiff. Sometimes it is due to being made too large on the ends.


On a side note: I got a nice hot shower once due to a customer that cut and installed his upper hose too short. I was standing next to his drivers side fender when he stepped on the brake and gas peddles in gear to show me something he didn't think was right.   It's funny how a 454" will jump right up when you don't put a motor mount bolt in!!      The motor twisted up till the tranny hit the firewall and pulled the upper hose right off the rad...   Yeah, I was a bit pissed....

[LeeBoy]

I got mine from Year One. They have been on the car since 1998 without any issue.

[Back N Black]

Nice engine bay!   

[LeeBoy]

Nice engine bay!   

Thanks. 

[purple70rt]

Nice engine bay!

I agree!!!!!!!

[daytonalo]

I knew a guy who used silicone sealer on inside of hose then installed clamp , I told him he was out of his mind , he insisted , so I grabbed the hose and it pulled right off !!! Use Silicone and it will make it very slippery and a major Disaster is around corner !!


Larry