help with heater hose leaking on my 67

[Robert D.]

Hey guys
just got back from a cruise night opened the hood to shut off the battery. my upper heater hose was leaking around the spring clamp. My question is how do i fix this the clamp and the hose are new. there is no way to tighten the clamp. are there any tricks to fix this?
thanx
Bob

[Leif A.]

Re: help with heater hose leaking on my 67

Robert,
Is this the first time the car has been out since replacing the hose and hose clamp? What was the condition of the thermostat collar when you removed the old hose (pitted, rough, etc)? If the collar was smooth and the new hose doesn't have a hole/split in it then the hose clamp should be able to tighten down enough to stop any water blow-by. Don't over tighten the clamp, either, as that could cut into the hose.

[Russ S.]

Re: help with heater hose leaking on my 67

If you can't get it to stop leaking, remove the hose, dry it and the fitting off and smear a thin film of silicone sealer on both the inside of the hose and the outside of they fitting. Reassemble and give it a few hours or overnight to cure before refilling with coolant.

[Dan H.]

Re: help with heater hose leaking on my 67

Robert, I've found the 'repro' spring clamps have a larger inside diameter than original clamps, resulting in less spring clamp pressure to seal the hose. Try to get some original clamps and compare/replace.

[John S.]

Re: help with heater hose leaking on my 67

+1on what Russ said. Have had the same situation and fixed perfectly that way.

[Frank D.]

Re: help with heater hose leaking on my 67

Robert, I've found the 'repro' spring clamps have a larger inside diameter than original clamps, resulting in less spring clamp pressure to seal the hose. Try to get some original clamps and compare/replace.

Exactly right - the repro Corbin clamps don't do as good a job at making a leakproof connection as originals..

[Stuart F.]

Re: help with heater hose leaking on my 67

My leaks always happened on the heater core as the nipples get distorted from use of screw clamps, etc. To use new hoses and spring clamps, I'd coat the nipples with silicon sealer, then I would initially clamp them with a screw clamp to get a positive seal to hold through a few heat cycles. Have the spring clamp on the hose upstream from the nipple, then unscrew the screw clamp and take it off and move the spring clamp back into position replacing the screw clamp. Worked like a charm and I did it again when I replaced the heater core.

Stu Fox

[Ara G.]

Re: help with heater hose leaking on my 67

Rob, I practice this same method on radiator hose installs as well. I use silicone on the insides of the hoses, screw down. No leaking radiator hoses. The silicone on the lower radiator hose actually even makes the install easier (tight quarters down there) as it slides onto the lower radiator outlet so much easier. ARA

[Leif A.]

Re: help with heater hose leaking on my 67

Robert,
Is this the first time the car has been out since replacing the hose and hose clamp? What was the condition of the thermostat collar when you removed the old hose (pitted, rough, etc)? If the collar was smooth and the new hose doesn't have a hole/split in it then the hose clamp should be able to tighten down enough to stop any water blow-by. Don't over tighten the clamp, either, as that could cut into the hose.

P.S. Just re-read the title..."heater hose". Leaking at the core or at the water pump? If at core could be the copper tube has a crack at the base of the housing. Like the silicone idea, as well. Not only makes it easier to put on and seal small leaks but makes them much easier to take off and replace at a later date.

[Robert D.]

Re: help with heater hose leaking on my 67

thanx guys appreciate it
Bob

[William F.]

Re: help with heater hose leaking on my 67

Where do you find ORIGINAL clamps?

[Dan H.]

Re: help with heater hose leaking on my 67

William, years ago when you ordered a clamp set from the old Corvette suppliers such as Paragon, they sent you original Whittek clamps that worked fine. Now they're gone except for some high dollar ones still out there. Look at swap meets, junk yards etc. The originals are thicker and stronger than the repro ones now. Luckily I saved all my old slightly tarnished ones and they work great with no silicon etc, easy to remove also when that time comes. Happy hunting!!!
Dan

[John H.]

Re: help with heater hose leaking on my 67

Where do you find ORIGINAL clamps?

I always bought my Corbin clamps from Dr. Rebuild, and never had a leak issue.

[Joe L.]

Re: help with heater hose leaking on my 67

I always bought my Corbin clamps from Dr. Rebuild, and never had a leak issue.

John-------



The Doc is the "King of Clamps" (as well as king of many other parts).

[Brian M.]

Re: help with heater hose leaking on my 67

Also King of Rubber, and don't forget the OOOH SOOOO EZ charts.