Author Topic: Tower Clamps (Read 22505 times)

lakeholme · « **on:** December 18, 2006, 02:33:34 AM »

I've seen varying opinions about when tower clamps were discontinued. Does anyone have a definitive date or was it a gradual thing, especially for Camaros?

lakeholme · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2007, 01:07:08 AM »

Steve, I'm starting to understand how you feel when no one answers your questions...

Let me re-phrase mine:

To be original should all first generation Camaros have tower clamps?

(I did find evidence of the tower clamps on 69s. What I cannot find is when they were discontinued from general use...)

GaryL · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2007, 01:49:40 AM »

I researched this topic over at Team Camaro. A couple of posts said 67- mid 68 used spring clamps for the heater hoses and tower clamps for the rest. Mid 68 - 69 used tower clamps for all hoses. No mention of spring clamps at the water pump/intake for the heater hoses. Do you have an Assembly manual for your car?

lakeholme · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2007, 04:02:34 AM »

Thanks, Gary!

Yes, I do have a 68 Assembly Manual, and I am aware of the drawings for heater and radiator hoses that do show the clamps. Actually, I'm going to change my radiator hose clamps to tower clamps when I do my annual fluids change in February.

My reason for asking about the tower clamps was from a local general discussion on originality about 1st generation Camaros (and same year Chevelles) across the board. And I have yet to invest in 67 and 69 AIMs. One of my Chevelle friends knew that there were various clamps being used during that period, but none of us knew exactly what and when.

This helps, and I will check that out in Team Camaro.

Appreciate it!

Dave69x33 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 07, 2007, 08:00:00 PM »

69's did use the tower style clamps. I am not sure what the 67 or 68 clamp part numbers are, but on page 85 in the 69 AIM, it calls for P/N- 9411656, 2-1/16" clamps for the upper radiator hose, and P/N-274765, 2-1/2" for the lower. Based on original and nice restored 67 and 68’s Camaros, and what I have seen on the similar year Corvettes, I must assume that nearly all radiator hose clamps Chevrolet used during this period were the tower style.

You can buy these original clamps and the heater core hose clamps from AMK Products, www.amkproducts.com, 540-662-4820. The clamps were date code by quarter, made by the Wittek Mfg. Co, out of Chicago. I purchased restamped dated coded clamps from Corvette resto parts supplier, Paragon, www.corvette-paragon.com, 800-882-4688.

The tower style clamps are a pain to work with. To get them to seal the hose, you need to tighten them very secure which tends to twist the tower strap area. I used an adjustable wrench to hold this area while securing the screw. A light smearing of RTV sealant helps also.

firstgenaddict · « **Reply #5 on:** January 08, 2007, 02:42:05 PM »

My April 68 RS/SS 396 had Spring ring clamps on the heater hoses... 43k miles unrestored in the mid 80's...

lakeholme · « **Reply #6 on:** January 08, 2007, 03:09:29 PM »

Dave, thanks for the 69 AIM info. I've already got my tower clamps, but that's good advice about how to install them. One of JohnZ's posts made me aware of AMK. Thanks, again.

Firstgen, Thanks! The 68 AIM does show spring clamps on the heater hoses.

Now, if I can get someone with a 67 AIM to respond, I'll have a complete answer (for Camaros, at least) to give to my friends next week.... Help!

68rsssrag · « **Reply #7 on:** January 11, 2007, 05:01:38 AM »

My 70K mile big block Norwood March production had spring clamps for the heater hoses but tower for the rad hoses and water pump elbow.

Arno

lakeholme · « **Reply #8 on:** January 11, 2007, 03:10:33 PM »

Thanks for the confirmation on the 68.
What we really need is someone with a 67 AIM to tell us what it says...

dab67 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2007, 01:45:16 AM »

Phillip:

I was trying to find in my factory assembly manual for 67's the part number for the "tower clamp" used on the radiator hoses. But believe it or not, I could not find the number. I can find the numbers for all "tower clamps" regarding the air cleaner systems and all smog and air pump applications. Needless to say tower clamp was used in 67. Personally I don't like them.

Dave ( dab67)

Steve68 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 12, 2007, 02:04:42 AM »

Phillip

67 AIM, pg 31, UPC 1, A8, DWG PREL 1-11, Date REL 3-1 show spring clamps 272852 and 272850 for V8 on both ends. For L-6 it shows 272850 spring clamp for upper pump connection and 9420906 clamp (not a spring type or tower as best I can tell.....difficult) for the lower pump connection. Other end not shown on L-6.

Steve

lakeholme · « **Reply #11 on:** January 12, 2007, 02:09:06 AM »

Thanks, Dave.

What I really need for you to do is look at the Radiator hose and Heater hose pages and see what the clamps look like in the picture. Then, tell me what kind of clamps they are (tower, spring, etc.). It would be great if you could also list the numbers for those clamps from each page. I can find the numbers in the P&A, but that does tell me which type of clamp it is.

I know tower clamps are a pain, but we're discussing originality in my group...

BTW, I just emailed you about part of your question from your recent thread.

Phillip

Whoops! Thanks Steve. (Now, Im getting info. faster than I can keep up with it!)
I do not have a 67 AIM, but UPC 1/A8 is heater hose, right? And the V-8 shows spring clamps. (We were just discussing V-8, so that's fine about the L-6). Now, if someone will tell me about the radiator clamps (its UPC 6/B1 in the 68 AIM)...

I really appreciate this, guys!

Phillip

Steve68 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 12, 2007, 02:29:37 AM »

Yep, heater hoses. Radiator tower clamps are 274765 at both ends. Originals are still on mine!

Anything else?

Steve

Steve68 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2007, 02:47:10 AM »

Phillip

During the change over you could see a mix of spring and tower on the heater hoses.

Steve

lakeholme · « **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2007, 03:09:41 AM »

So...
For 67 to Mid 68, it's spring clamps on heater hoses and tower clamps on radiator.
For Mid 68 to 69 it's tower clamps on both.

My 68 AIM shows spring clamps on heater hoses, dated May of 67. Can Gary or anyone else bring it down to what month that changed?

Also, like some of you observed, the p/n for even the same kind of clamp (tower or spring) differs depending on application. (The lower rad. clamp is larger then the upper.)

lakeholme · « **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2007, 04:11:42 AM »

Steve,

Can you see the date code on your original tower clamps?

If they were mixed at mid-68, then my 12D 68 would be okay with tower clamps on both heater and radiator hoses?

Steve68 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 12, 2007, 04:18:50 AM »

I think they are still visible on most of them. Will look and try to get back to you tomorrow.

Steve

Steve68 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 12, 2007, 07:24:05 PM »

Phillip

Took a quick look and I could only really see two of them well......2/68 and 5/68.

Steve

dab67 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 12, 2007, 07:57:09 PM »

Steve:

Where did you find the part number for Radiator hose tower clamps? I have the picture but no reference. Of course i could be going blind!!!!!!!! They are tower clamps.

dab67

Steve68 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 12, 2007, 08:16:09 PM »

dab

I didn't find any for the radiator......I thought he was looking/asking for heater hose #'s and that was what I provided to him in the above post.

I had looked when he first asked but didn't see the page and thought I would give it another try yesterday thinking that there must be a drawing somewhere in the AIM with the hoses. Sure enough I found it. If part #'s are still needed for the radiator I can look in the P&A too but I thought that Phil had access to an appropriate dated one already. Did I get sidetracked somewhere?

Steve

lakeholme · « **Reply #20 on:** January 12, 2007, 10:50:55 PM »

Steve,

So the clamps are varied. Guess they pulled them out of a big box on the assembly line...

Yes, I can get the part numbers, but not having a 67 or 69 AIM I could not tell which type of clamp the number represents. In the end I needed to know the type, not the number. (Gary gave me the radiator info. earlier in the thread.) I've got what I needed. Thanks! (All my Chevelle buddies are duly impressed at the vast knowledge we can get from CRG!)

JohnZ · « **Reply #21 on:** January 13, 2007, 04:13:21 PM »

The radiator hoses and clamps are shown in the Assembly Manual in UPC 6.

Steve68 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 13, 2007, 04:29:31 PM »

Yea John you would think that somewhere in that section (6 of 67 AIM) there would be coverage of the hoses and clamps but we can't find any. The only place that the heater hoses and clamps for the 67 were found was in section 1/A8. The 68 AIM does show the radiator hoses at 6/B1 though.

Steve

Dave69x33 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 13, 2007, 06:50:01 PM »

Lakeholme,

In the 69 AIM, page 85 under UPC Sect. 6, Radiator Hoses:
Upper: Tower hose clamp P/N-9411656 for the P/N-3905964 L-6 inlet hose. Same clamps for the V-8 hose P/N-3956662. Ref. AMK Products item #B-13883, 2-1/16” (qty 2 for $6). www.amkproducts.com

Lower: Tower hose clamps P/N-274765 for P/N-3891554 L-6 outlet hose and P/N-3942567 V-8 hose. AMK item #B-13884, 2-5/16” (qty 2 for $6).

Smog Pump System Hose: AIM page 96 for the L-6 engine, page 101 for the V-8: both show tower clamps P/N-9423575, Qty. 4 for the diverter valve to P/N-5361992 valve assemblies, AMK #B-13092, 1-1/6” (Qty. 2 for $5).

Heater Core Hoses: AIM page 44 call for tower clamps P/N-9428796 for the H.C. supply hose. AMK does not callout this P/N but do list tower clamp #B-13093 for 1-3/16” hoses (Qty, 2 for $5). Return hose tower clamps are same as Smog Pump Hoses, P/N-9423574, AMK #B-13092.

The AIM also shows and approx. location and orientation for the clamps. Note the orientation of the upper radiator hose. Page 482 in the AIM, Under option ZL2 (cowl induction hood), with RPO L48 or Z28, the clamp is to be rotated at about 60 degrees right of top dead center. See pic "Upper hose clamp 2".

Dave69x33 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 13, 2007, 07:01:51 PM »

Here are a couple of more pics. One of the lower radiator hose and clamp and one shot of the smog pump hose clamps. My smog pump system a survivor system with original hoses and tower clamps. The "NOS" tower clamps I got from from AMK are the same as the originals except AMK's are not dated coded. If you call AMK, they may date code them for you if you need this. I bought my radiator and heater hose clamps date code from Paragon Corvette Reproductions, Inc., before I discovered AMK.

lakeholme · « **Reply #25 on:** January 13, 2007, 07:51:06 PM »

Thanks, Dave.
Although I already have my tower clamps, they aren't on the car yet. So it will be great to have pictures (especially your original smog hose clamp) to show my group. Thanks again for the hint on how to install them. That's a February porject for me.

BULLITT65 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 14, 2011, 10:31:40 PM »

Is there any difference betweeen the AMK and Paragon tower clamps and the originals? I remember on another board someone saying the repop ones are thiner and harder to work with. Did all the tower clamps have a date code on them?
I am looking for a set of original radiator clamps 2 top and 2 bottom, as well as original heater hose clamps, if anybody out there has replaced theres and would like to sell them to getting me closer to completing my puzzle...lol

thanks for the help

9T4Z · « **Reply #27 on:** March 06, 2011, 11:33:53 PM »

I recently purchased a couple of dated repop tower clamps, one 69 and another 70. Both were dated like this 4/69 and the other 4/70

I think the originals were dated alpha/numerically like maybe c/9

Either way I got em for 99 cents each, seller said they were from Year 1. I called Year 1 and they say they only sell undated..... so seller must have done it.

BTW tower clamps still used on 70 Camaro's so not discontinued by then........

lakeholme · « **Reply #28 on:** March 08, 2011, 06:49:49 PM »

Thanks, Gary!

KurtS · « **Reply #29 on:** March 09, 2011, 01:32:57 AM »

The company mentions wearing them as jewelry. A guy had a big stack of these ads at a swap meet.

IZRSSS · « **Reply #30 on:** March 09, 2011, 01:43:05 AM »

Is this the same KURT we all know a luv...I'm

!

KurtS · « **Reply #31 on:** March 09, 2011, 01:57:35 AM »

I've posted that before. You can tell there weren't alot of women in the industry back then.
Just like you couldn't make 'Blazing Saddles' nowadays either.

lakeholme · « **Reply #32 on:** March 09, 2011, 01:15:50 PM »

When I asked about a "definitive date for tower clamps"...?

News:

Author Topic: Tower Clamps (Read 22505 times)

IZRSSS