Correct Spring/Pinch Clamps - Early Build 1970 GS

Discussion in 'Color is everything!' started by Brett Slater, Feb 21, 2018.

  1. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    Calling all the frame-off gurus.

    I know these varied from plant to plant, so: what would all the correct clamps be for a non-air, early build Flint car?

    Dave Johnson doesn't get on here much and I'd like to continue detailing the engine bay of my car as the warm weather approaches.

    Plus, this would be a good reference point going forward.

    Maybe @mrolds69 has some input?
     
  2. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    Have some tire seal paste on hand for those spring ring clamps you are using on your heater hoses. They may leak. The special pliers to grip them comes in handy.
     
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  3. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    I have both! Haha

    I still don't know the actual diameter of these clamps, though.
     
  4. BuickV8Mike

    BuickV8Mike SD Buick Fan

    I thought it was 3/4 and 5/8. I think they are color coded and I can check this afternoon. I'm basing this on what I used on my 69 using the Poston clamps. PS. Mine don't leak a bit.
     
  5. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    On the hose to the heater core?
     
  6. BuickV8Mike

    BuickV8Mike SD Buick Fan

    Yes
     
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  7. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    Looks like these.

    Screenshot_20180220-191122.png
     
  8. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    Ok Brett, here's the deal on the Corbin clamps and leaking. They were/are color coded. The real problem as somebody else mentioned is the hose types available now. There are maybe 4-5 different types of hose around. There are maybe 3-4 types that are "ribbed" similar to original. Last I knew, there were no types of hose available exactly like original. You see the red hose's, those are thick, not ribbed and HD hose. Great stuff but ugly! Then there are ribbed thick and thin rubber hoses around. You want the thick ribbed rubber hoses. In the assembly manual it tells you the exact length of the hoses. The absolute worst stuff is vinyl ribbed hose. Jason has mentioned this crap before for vacuum hoses. It's like vinyl, not rubber, thin, doesn't last or hold pressure well. Like Jim says it can't hurt to use sealer. Personally, I don't use any sealer. That's because I take stuff apart a lot, I don't want to cut my exact length hoses and ruin them!
     
  9. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    I was hoping you'd chime in at some point.

    So, if I'm reading this correctly, Corbin clamps are the ones pictured in my photo and come 3/4 and 5/8? Which hose is which?

    You'll have to excuse the ignorance - I'm learning as I go. Also, I'm not as concerned about the hoses as I am the clamps.

    The reason I'm inquiring is: after a recent conversation with the gentleman who owned the car the longest, he divulged that he "capped" the heater core at the firewall, in an effort to cut down on interior heat in the summer. This would explain why I had no heat at the end of last season. Ha!

    So, I'm going to be remedying this soon and figured I'd make it look correct while I was at it.
     
  10. BuickV8Mike

    BuickV8Mike SD Buick Fan

    Doesn't Year One have them in the catalog? I'll let you know if the top or bottom is the small one when I get home.
     
  11. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    Thanks!

    I'll check out Year One in the meantime.
     
  12. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    The hoses are 3/4" + 5/8", so you will need 2 clamps of each size. That would be for 1970, non AC car, I don't think the plant matters. Right around that time GM was moving to tower clamps (Wittecks) on the heater hoses. A 1970 AC car used some tower heater hose clamps. Later they went to all tower type clamps.
    You should get a pair of Corbin clamp pliers. At one time they were very common, you could walk into Sears and get a nice pair. There are a LOT of different types, most of them I have tried before, or own. You can use Vise-Grips, Channelocks, or regular pliers. But a pair of the real deals are much easier to use. My favorites you can use straight up and down or sideways. They are similar to these. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilde-Tool...254936?hash=item20e90334d8:g:o~oAAOSwGzlTxGuR
    If you go to a swap meet or flea market, you can usually find a rusty pair for $2-5.00.
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2018
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  13. Richie

    Richie Well-Known Member

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  14. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    For some reason, I have a set of these kicking around. Haha
     
  15. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

  16. Deogi2

    Deogi2 GSX - #380

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  17. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    You were dead on. After running for a few minutes, the top one started leaking and shortly after, it was dripping inside the car.

    Totally spaced out the tire sealant, too. That's when I shut it down.

    Epic fail today.
     
  18. Richie

    Richie Well-Known Member

    Brett, Where did you end up getting the clamps. Richie
     
  19. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    Here on the board.
     
  20. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

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