Tygon/clamps, getting chewed up...
 

I didn't have this problem using thickwall silicone, but since tygon is so soft, the tubing really gets chewed up (don't really know how else to describe it) with those worm-drive metal hose clamps. Just to play it safe, if I need to un-clamp a section of my cooling circuit, I usually end up replacing that section with new tygon, since the ends no longer look capable of holding to a barb. What are some hose-clamp alternatives, something tough and reassuring that can also keep a perfectly circular hold?

Try plastic clamps.

uh, thanx, but what kind...

You can buy plastic ones at your local hardware shop or you could go to danger den and buy them HERE

How thick of Tygon did you get?

I got the 1/8" thick wall, and am having no problem with the cheapo worm drive clamps...

Yes, it left an imprint in the tubing, but it didn't rip it or damage it in anyway.

Run a layer of teflon tape over the tygon and then clamp it. Keeps the tube in perfect shape and still seals.

Or just use spring clamps from your hardware store since they seal more evenly anyway IMO.

yes, what thickness tubing do you have and what formulation (R-1000? R-3603?) i ask becuase R-1000 is much softer than R-3603 and silicone....the shore rating for R-3603 is slightly higher than silicone also (which means it isnt as soft / flexible).
maybe you're clamping too hard? :shrug: just tighten it until its snug, dont muscle it on.

No clamps here with the 1/16" wall R-1000 Tygon. I have oversized and matching size barbs. This variety of tygon in 1/2" ID proved useless on the pump intake because it just got sucked closed so I switched to a vinyl tube for that length only.
Here's a pick of it on my block barbs with water going through.

I'm using R3603 1/8in (I think, thin wall anyway), and I think cycodude is right, I'm just clamping too hard. Anyway, even without clamps, I can hardly pull the tygon off of the barbs in my connections, so next overhaul I might go clampless, see what happens.

btw, gonefishing, that is one hell of a block:cool:

well, if you can see the tubing being squished out of those little slots on the clamp, then you know youre overtightening it.

I have some plastic hose clams for sale if you want. They are the one that dangerden gave me.

I also have a water resevoir for sale.

why not post them in the for sale forum for all to see :p

Fuel injection clamps my freind. :)