Worm Type Hose Clamps Loosening - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Repairs/Mods
  Worm Type Hose Clamps Loosening

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Worm Type Hose Clamps Loosening

Jimm posted 01-30-2004 04:13 PM ET (US)
I just noticed that the worm type hose clamps both on my Montauk and Jeep GC are loose. It seems I have to tighten them every few months. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep them tight? Thanks.
Jim
kingfish posted 01-30-2004 04:35 PM ET (US)
Throw them away and find ratchet-type plastic or nylon clamps - they are the best for even clamping pressure around the entire circumference and they will not loosen.
WSTEFFENS posted 01-30-2004 05:12 PM ET (US)
Jim:
I would suggest (for radiator etc) a self-tightening spring hose clamp. Try looking up McMaster Carr # 52324k21 this is a 1" clamp typical of the type. Thease used to be std equipment installed on "Chrysler Corp" Vehicles in the 60's-80's. They evolved thru the avation industry, they don't require thghtening, and get "tighter" with vibration and heat cycling. Only catch is you need special pliers to release them and remove them. As the guys racing USAC used to say, in this case its the "hot set up". Also it is impossible for them to "crush" or deform a delicate heater or radiator service port fitting. As there is no screw to over tighten.
Best
WLS
tomroe posted 01-30-2004 09:03 PM ET (US)
I have had good success with this style. They have a Belleville setup that keeps a constant pressure.
http://webapp1.lawsonproducts.com/website/showItem?itemNum=97561
Alan de la Houssaye posted 01-31-2004 03:09 AM ET (US)
Yes, with a screw driver located in your tool box if you have one. Do you need a description of what it looks like? You can also bring it in to your BW Dealer along with your wallet. This technical problem of yours Jim is what is called general maintenance. JUST DO IT!

You are retired. Is your schedule that busy that you can't tighten a clamp every couple of months?
Here is another suggestion I have, maybe you need to replace them with new ones of the same type. Believe it or not these type of clamps do become worn out and become loose. This does happen you know.
Alan

JayR posted 01-31-2004 04:11 AM ET (US)
Geez Alan, don't hold back. Say what's on your mind....
:-(
WHALER27CC posted 01-31-2004 08:58 AM ET (US)
Alan-
Kudos to you for a nice constructive reply!! IF you really read JIMM's thread you would have read that he DID say he tightened them every few months. No insult intended here Alan, but you may want to READ the threads before replying with sarcasm so that you dont look like you just did...
Oh, and by the way , welcome to the forum . Im sure everyone will look forward to your input...
Peter
Alan de la Houssaye posted 01-31-2004 10:49 AM ET (US)
Peter, I read Jim's thread quite thoroughly with his problem of having to tighten the clamps every couple of months. That is why I stated "THIS IS CALLED GENERAL MAINTENANCE". If you own a boat these minor problems are going to exist and need tending too on a regular basis. Do I look for a bigger or better screw every time one comes loose on my boat? No! I love this web site, and I reply very little to others Posts and hold my comments to my self most of the time so not to hurt others feeling. I hope Jim and others do not feel I am being a HORSES ASS down in Houston, Texas from my comment.
I view FORUMS as a place to address really technical problems/issues that we as individual Classic Whaler owners encounter. That is what I feel this web site was intended for. In reading Jim's problem, I thought about those individuals who are totally restoring/rebuilding their Classics on their own and how they only wish they had a clamp to tighten. Too many times on this FORUM, I see minor and ridiculous questions asked or complained about, that I want to respond back to "Just sell the boat, you have no business owning something of this quality". Have we as "American Outdoorsmen" become too lazy or helpless in taking care of the minor and regular maintenance problens with our boats, that we must propose these piddly problems to several hundreds in hopes of getting a few answers back, when we could have thought of and handled them on our own?
One more comment before I leave with backlash to follow from others. Folks, is it really nesessary to add all the overkill on doo dads and electronics to our boats to get around on the water and catch fish. These things bring on too many problems with overload to the boats electrial system and we become too dependent on them. How do you think your Grandfather and Father made it and survived in the outdoors. I know too many individuals boaters out there who can't even read a compass and chart to make it back to the landing/marina they left out of. And last, always lend a hand to your fellow boater in need, even if it ruins your day of fishing or boating pleasure.
Alan

jimh posted 01-31-2004 10:56 AM ET (US)
This summer I dropped the side panel on my 1987 Boston Whaler boat to look at the condition of the fuel filler hose. The worm type hose clamps that retained it to the fuel fill fitting were loose. One clamp had fallen from the top of the hose and had slid down the filler hose about ten inches.
It is not clear to me if the clamp had loosened or if the hose had shrunk from old age. Perhaps it was a combination of both.
kingfish posted 01-31-2004 11:03 AM ET (US)
Every thing I've read and believe indicates that the plastic ratchet type hose clamps are far better at consistent circumferential pressure, not coming loose, and not damaging the hose than the screw types on fuel lines. They don't rrequire any special tools, and if an idiot like me can make them work, anybody can.
Dick posted 01-31-2004 11:33 AM ET (US)
Jimm
A cheap and easy fix that will usualy work. Grab a bottle of the wife's fingernail polish, preferably one she no longer uses. Put a dab on the threads and tighten the screws. Works much like LocTite but is much easier to break loose if necessary.
Dick
quattro20vt posted 02-03-2004 03:41 PM ET (US)
The contant tension clamps WSTEFFENS talks about can be found on McMaster's catalog page 215. They should be put on/off with the special plier to keep them from slipping/snapping at your fingers ;) I also like the wide-band version (use conventional pliers for them, on same page) but they are not available in stainless steel--they'll be fine for the Jeep, and are all over GM products.
For larger hoses, I really like the T-bolt clamps...see page 212 in the McMaster catalog, available in both constant tension (spring loaded) and conventional (no spring). A nylon locknut on the t-bolt keeps these in place. Unfortunately, these are pri$ey, especially in the all-stainless variety.
DaveH posted 02-06-2004 11:27 AM ET (US)
Alan de la Houssaye:
Would you also tear up your deck every few months if you owned an Outrage to tighten the fuel filler hose clamps at the tank? I don't think so.
With regard to the original question, I would use the constant pressure clamps like the ones Tom Roe mentions in his link above. Make sure you orient the dual clamps as close to opposite in position on the hose as possible. I prefer S/S over nylon since the boat maufacturing industry has used S/S for all fuel applications in the past.

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Worm Type Hose Clamps Loosening
Jimm	posted 01-30-2004 04:13 PM ET (US) I just noticed that the worm type hose clamps both on my Montauk and Jeep GC are loose. It seems I have to tighten them every few months. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep them tight? Thanks. Jim
kingfish	posted 01-30-2004 04:35 PM ET (US) Throw them away and find ratchet-type plastic or nylon clamps - they are the best for even clamping pressure around the entire circumference and they will not loosen.
WSTEFFENS	posted 01-30-2004 05:12 PM ET (US) Jim: I would suggest (for radiator etc) a self-tightening spring hose clamp. Try looking up McMaster Carr # 52324k21 this is a 1" clamp typical of the type. Thease used to be std equipment installed on "Chrysler Corp" Vehicles in the 60's-80's. They evolved thru the avation industry, they don't require thghtening, and get "tighter" with vibration and heat cycling. Only catch is you need special pliers to release them and remove them. As the guys racing USAC used to say, in this case its the "hot set up". Also it is impossible for them to "crush" or deform a delicate heater or radiator service port fitting. As there is no screw to over tighten. Best WLS
tomroe	posted 01-30-2004 09:03 PM ET (US) I have had good success with this style. They have a Belleville setup that keeps a constant pressure. http://webapp1.lawsonproducts.com/website/showItem?itemNum=97561
Alan de la Houssaye	posted 01-31-2004 03:09 AM ET (US) Yes, with a screw driver located in your tool box if you have one. Do you need a description of what it looks like? You can also bring it in to your BW Dealer along with your wallet. This technical problem of yours Jim is what is called general maintenance. JUST DO IT! You are retired. Is your schedule that busy that you can't tighten a clamp every couple of months? Here is another suggestion I have, maybe you need to replace them with new ones of the same type. Believe it or not these type of clamps do become worn out and become loose. This does happen you know. Alan
JayR	posted 01-31-2004 04:11 AM ET (US) Geez Alan, don't hold back. Say what's on your mind.... :-(
WHALER27CC	posted 01-31-2004 08:58 AM ET (US) Alan- Kudos to you for a nice constructive reply!! IF you really read JIMM's thread you would have read that he DID say he tightened them every few months. No insult intended here Alan, but you may want to READ the threads before replying with sarcasm so that you dont look like you just did... Oh, and by the way , welcome to the forum . Im sure everyone will look forward to your input... Peter
Alan de la Houssaye	posted 01-31-2004 10:49 AM ET (US) Peter, I read Jim's thread quite thoroughly with his problem of having to tighten the clamps every couple of months. That is why I stated "THIS IS CALLED GENERAL MAINTENANCE". If you own a boat these minor problems are going to exist and need tending too on a regular basis. Do I look for a bigger or better screw every time one comes loose on my boat? No! I love this web site, and I reply very little to others Posts and hold my comments to my self most of the time so not to hurt others feeling. I hope Jim and others do not feel I am being a HORSES ASS down in Houston, Texas from my comment. I view FORUMS as a place to address really technical problems/issues that we as individual Classic Whaler owners encounter. That is what I feel this web site was intended for. In reading Jim's problem, I thought about those individuals who are totally restoring/rebuilding their Classics on their own and how they only wish they had a clamp to tighten. Too many times on this FORUM, I see minor and ridiculous questions asked or complained about, that I want to respond back to "Just sell the boat, you have no business owning something of this quality". Have we as "American Outdoorsmen" become too lazy or helpless in taking care of the minor and regular maintenance problens with our boats, that we must propose these piddly problems to several hundreds in hopes of getting a few answers back, when we could have thought of and handled them on our own? One more comment before I leave with backlash to follow from others. Folks, is it really nesessary to add all the overkill on doo dads and electronics to our boats to get around on the water and catch fish. These things bring on too many problems with overload to the boats electrial system and we become too dependent on them. How do you think your Grandfather and Father made it and survived in the outdoors. I know too many individuals boaters out there who can't even read a compass and chart to make it back to the landing/marina they left out of. And last, always lend a hand to your fellow boater in need, even if it ruins your day of fishing or boating pleasure. Alan
jimh	posted 01-31-2004 10:56 AM ET (US) This summer I dropped the side panel on my 1987 Boston Whaler boat to look at the condition of the fuel filler hose. The worm type hose clamps that retained it to the fuel fill fitting were loose. One clamp had fallen from the top of the hose and had slid down the filler hose about ten inches. It is not clear to me if the clamp had loosened or if the hose had shrunk from old age. Perhaps it was a combination of both.
kingfish	posted 01-31-2004 11:03 AM ET (US) Every thing I've read and believe indicates that the plastic ratchet type hose clamps are far better at consistent circumferential pressure, not coming loose, and not damaging the hose than the screw types on fuel lines. They don't rrequire any special tools, and if an idiot like me can make them work, anybody can.
Dick	posted 01-31-2004 11:33 AM ET (US) Jimm A cheap and easy fix that will usualy work. Grab a bottle of the wife's fingernail polish, preferably one she no longer uses. Put a dab on the threads and tighten the screws. Works much like LocTite but is much easier to break loose if necessary. Dick
quattro20vt	posted 02-03-2004 03:41 PM ET (US) The contant tension clamps WSTEFFENS talks about can be found on McMaster's catalog page 215. They should be put on/off with the special plier to keep them from slipping/snapping at your fingers ;) I also like the wide-band version (use conventional pliers for them, on same page) but they are not available in stainless steel--they'll be fine for the Jeep, and are all over GM products. For larger hoses, I really like the T-bolt clamps...see page 212 in the McMaster catalog, available in both constant tension (spring loaded) and conventional (no spring). A nylon locknut on the t-bolt keeps these in place. Unfortunately, these are pri$ey, especially in the all-stainless variety.
DaveH	posted 02-06-2004 11:27 AM ET (US) Alan de la Houssaye: Would you also tear up your deck every few months if you owned an Outrage to tighten the fuel filler hose clamps at the tank? I don't think so. With regard to the original question, I would use the constant pressure clamps like the ones Tom Roe mentions in his link above. Make sure you orient the dual clamps as close to opposite in position on the hose as possible. I prefer S/S over nylon since the boat maufacturing industry has used S/S for all fuel applications in the past.