C1 - 62 Radiator and heater hose question.

[Jack H.]

I'm getting ready to return the radiator and heater hoses back to the original style along with the clamps, although I still remember how bad the old style clamps used to leak. Anyone had experience with the best place to acquire these items, Corvette Central, Paragon, or Dr. Rebuild?

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 - 62 Radiator and heater hose question.

Jack-----

I think that Dr. Rebuild is the only one that has original Wittek clamps. The others are "reproductions" and may not be up to the quality of the originals. They're not cheap, but I think that they're the best out there of the tower clamp style. With a hose clamp, you want it to be FUNCTIONALLY the best you can get to avoid the "raised hood by the side of the road" syndrome.

In my mind, the worm type clamps are, functionally, the best. However, they're not "correct" for certain model year Corvettes. So, if you're going to use the "tower style" clamps for this reason, I'd recommend using the best ones available.

[John M.]

Re: C1 - 62 Radiator and heater hose question.

I agree with Joe, and for those hoses that use the Corbin clamps, DR Rebuild also has clamps that truly work! A lot of other vendors sell Corbin clamps that are way too small a guage of stock and do not clamp down tight. A lot of the clamps being sold out there will loose a lot of their tension when opened up for installation.

Regards, John McGraw

[Jack H.]

Thanks. *NM*