Re: Hose Clamps

Posted by BH On 2008/10/22 18:34:45

Kev -

In chiming in on this thread, know that I'm not just taking issue with one sale on eBay for clamps that the vendor incorrectly claims are correct for all years 1951-1956. I've also had to wince at more than one Packard vendor who tried to sell me a bag full of nothing but spring wire clamps for the radiator hoses.

The Corbin type is correct and works fine on all the radiator (and heater) hoses EXCEPT that one location. I can only guess that Packard engineers felt the rough surface of the casting needed more clamping force than could be had with a spring wire clamp.

Although trips to Fall Hershey further inspired me toward authenticity, I began to get turned off to AACA judging in the early 1980s, when I learned of a new standard mandating the use of one particular style of hose clamp for all cars of a given period, with NO regard to what was clearly shown in shop manuals and the like. I talked to more than one vehicle owner, at that time, who concluded that some vendor just found an old crate full of that particular clamp, and the old boys club mentatlity took it from there.

Of course, a general club can't be an expert on all cars, and I'm glad that PI finally took the bull by the horns and set out to publish this judging guide. As I believe they are open with regard to revising and updating their standards, you might want to review this thread with them.