C2 tower clamp reuse

[Randy S.]

I plan to replace the lower radiator hose on my 66 (driver) equipped with dated tower clamps (might be repros?). I expect the biggest problem will be loosening the tower clamp and getting it to reseal. I plan to clean the water pump and rad fitting with "scotchbright" and lubricate the sliding clamp surfaces with WD40.
Any other tips or recommended swearwords

[Mike McKown]

Re: C2 tower clamp reuse

Spray the clamp with light oil, loosen the screw way off. Take a blunt drift and strike the top of the clamp on either/both sides of the screw. It should swell the clamp to the point it will come off easily without damage to the clamp.

Mike

[Ronnie Robertson # 36786]

Re: C2 tower clamp reuse

Randy,
If the clamp is stubborn, I only back the screw off a little before putting pressure on the tower screw to prevent bending the clamp. A nut driver on the screw lets you apply pressure and move the screw at the same time. Patience works good too.

[Mike McKown]

Re: C2 tower clamp reuse

If you hit the screw, you will bend the clamp. DO NOT hit the screw. Hit the clamp beside the screw. Yes, patience is a virtue in this case if the clamp is stubborn.

[Robert M.]

Re: C2 tower clamp reuse

Loosen the screw then get a deepwell socket that just fits over the screw. The socket will rest on the shoulder of the clamp. When you tap the socket with a hammer, lightly, it will apply even pressure thru the socket releasing the clamp without destroying it.

[Randy S.]

Re: C2 tower clamp reuse

Keith,
The deep well 3/8" socket worked like a charm. Great tip.

[John H.]

Re: C2 tower clamp reuse

Based on my recent experience, beware of the "dated reproduction" tower clamps; I don't know who makes them for LICS, but three of the four I used on my radiator hoses when I installed a new DeWitts radiator last week failed. I had a leak immediately at the thermostat housing, and tightening further wouldn't stop it, then the screw broke; replaced it with a worm clamp, normal torque, no leak. The next one (at the radiator neck) began to dribble the next day, and I couldn't stop that leak either until I replaced it with a worm clamp. The next morning another dribbling leak started at the water pump inlet, and tightening it further resulted in the nut threads stripping; replaced it with another worm clamp in a hardware store parking lot. They may "look good" and "judge well", but are apparently made with cheap materials and aren't worth a damn functionally.