2016 5.7 Lower Radiator Hose Question

[EPHEMI]

Question for you guys because O'reilly's or Autozone people couldn't answer. So I replaced the radiator hoses, the upper hose was pretty straight forward and the lower was installed ok. The thing is on the lower hose the original hose had two clamps in the center where the heater hose goes connected but on the new one there is no way to install clamps because it would just pinch the hose. The new hose seems to be molded on the inside of the "T" joint where the original one goes over the "T" joint and clamps hold it in place. I imagine this is new technology and they somehow use glue instead of clamps for the "T" joint. I did drive it around for about one hour and had no leaks, let it cool off for a few hours, drove it again for a hour and no leaks. So has anyone installed the new hose with no center clamps?

 

[Hookedup87]

Looks like the new one is cast with that tee permanently set in the hose. If it holds, which you are saying it has with no leaks, that’s pretty cool. Most cooling system generate about 15psi of pressure I believe. If that hose actually needed additional clamping, pretty sure it would’ve blown apart already.

 

[EPHEMI]

I'm a little skeptical about this hose, that's why I asked if someone had installed it and if anyone has had problems with it leaking or coming apart. Maybe I'm just old school and like to use clamps. lol

 

[EPHEMI]

So I contacted Gates about my question and here is their response...hope it helps someone out there.....

"So if I understand your question correctly – the shiny “plastic” clamps on our hose are a heat shrink clamp we use and nothing needs to be done with them – you will need to clamp everything else"

 

[Bandit517]

It appears you already got the answer but to go more into detail, they make basically a heat shrink for sealing radiator hoses. This being an example: https://smile.amazon.com/Gates-3294...&sprefix=radiator+hose+shrink+,aps,440&sr=8-5

They're great for a connection like that where it doesn't need to be removed often (or ever in most cases) but my understanding is they can't be reused. So you'll still need a spring or screw style clamp on the ends connecting to the radiator and water pump. I wouldn't worry at all about that hose and if it were me I would inform the folks at the parts store. Unfortunatly the people behind the counter usually fall into 2 categories. They used to have a 2 barrel small block chevy that they put a 4 barrel on and thought it was fast, or they're a younger kid just getting into cars and think the more lights and stickers they add, the faster they are.

 

[EPHEMI]

Thanks for the link it was very helpful.