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#1
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Tower Clamp Question
What year did Pontiac stop using tower clamps? I'm using tower clamps on my '67 Firebird but I'm about to swap in a Cold Case radiator and may not be able to reuse the existing clamps. I recall when I installed new radiator hoses, I had difficulty finding tower clamps that were decent as the first set I bought were made so cheaply, the clamps just twisted when installing.
I like originality but would rather use worm clamps. |
#2
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The tower clamps I got from Ames are pretty decent, and I swapped my radiator to a CC as well.
Just don't use them on smaller diameter stuff, especially the 5/8" heater hose. They won't seal.
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1979 Trans Am W72 400/4-Speed WS6 - Starlight Black Hardtop
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#3
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The problem with the tower clamps on Ames is that they don't have the correct sizes. They have 1.5" and 1.75" which say fit bottom and top radiator hoses but they are both too small for that application. It's been that way for awhile.
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#4
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My 78 had towers. Get th3m from another source. Ones that fit.
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🧩 Burds Parts, Finding those Hard to Find PCs, no Fisher Price Toys Here Just Say No To 8” Flakes F ire B irds 🇮🇱 |
#5
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Quote:
I just hung them fully loosened on the radiator inlet/outlets past the fitting bead and then put the hose on through the clamp that is already in place to tighten down past the fitting bead to make a seal. I don't think they're meant to be be able to fit over the inlet/outlet fitting beads while on the hose, since they just barely slide on the hose pretty snug even when fully loosened (which might be why you're saying they're too small).
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1979 Trans Am W72 400/4-Speed WS6 - Starlight Black Hardtop
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#6
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You can use a clamptite wire clamp kit which you can then slide a tower clamp over for an OEM look with much better sealing…
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The Following User Says Thank You to rwfisher For This Useful Post: | ||
#7
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To prevent the common twist problem that tower clamps have, hold the portion with the threaded nut using channel locks while tightening the clamp bolt. Sucks, but sometimes does the job.
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The Following User Says Thank You to 400 4spd. For This Useful Post: | ||
#8
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No one has answered my initial question. What year did Pontiac stop using tower clamps?
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#9
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Look in the assembly manuals. It shows them. For sure through 78
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🧩 Burds Parts, Finding those Hard to Find PCs, no Fisher Price Toys Here Just Say No To 8” Flakes F ire B irds 🇮🇱 |
#10
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^^^ Yeah, my '79 still has a few of its original tower clamps.
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1979 Trans Am W72 400/4-Speed WS6 - Starlight Black Hardtop
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#11
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my guess is 1980's
it seems like they went from tower clamps straight to spring clamps.
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1970 Formula 400 Carousel Red paint on Black standard interior A no-engine, no-transmission, no-wheel option car. Quite likely one of few '70 Muncie three speed Formula 400's left. 1991 Grand Am: 14.4 @ 93.7mph (DA corrected) (retired DD, stock appearing) 2009 Cobalt SS: 13.9 @ 103mph (current DD; makes something north of 300hp & 350ft/lbs) |
#12
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Thanks for the responses. I had read somewhere that 1965 was the last year Pontiac used them, but apparently not true.
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