Tower Clamps

[lakeholme]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[lakeholme]

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]

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]

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

[dab67]

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]

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]

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]

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

Steve

[Steve68]

Phillip

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

Steve

[lakeholme]

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.)