Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:24:02 -0700
Reply-To: Roger Whittaker <rogerwhitt1@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Roger Whittaker <rogerwhitt1@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: worm type fuel line clamps
In-Reply-To: <4BA8C51E.20008@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
dear ken and list ...
with all respect ... and consideration for those who have many more hours
than i ....
i just did my own fuel lines with the GoWesty fuel line kit ...
that package comes with the ear clamps ...
i purchased the proper clamp pliers at foreign auto in Chico where i did the
work ...
interestingly enough while on my way back to canada the engine calfed and i
had to get a replacement ...
i asked the shop that did the R & R to please replace the fuel lines on the
transplant as did not want a potential fire hazard as i had just replaced
same ...
he lectured me on the high quality job that his shop did ... told me that
they only used the Ear Clamp and etc etc ...
i told him i was glad to have been told that ...
so i went and collected the transplant and dropped it off ... it had hose
clamps on some connections just as i had on mine before i did repairs ...
when i returned to the van after R & R and found my fuel line installation
had been placed on transplant ..
i actually considered that a strong nod of approval from this shop ...
the shop is Halseys in Portland
regarding the recalls on the fuel lines ..
i have read the recall info contained on the electronic version of the Sun
Microfish
and the clamps are as Ken says ... a huge problem ...
what i read suggested remedy would be the proper Ear Clamp installed
properly ... with proper clamp pliers
as GoWesty ships with the Kit ...
mechanics who have done many repairs for years ...
right on ...good to hear your system has worked well ...
proper tools ... working conditions and years of experience are impossible
to replace and are priceless
i would though ... caution do it yourselfers that proper tools are hands
down the only way to fly
15$ for a pair of proper ear clamp pliers ...
maybe 5 $ for proper socket to tighten worm drive clamps ...
trusting your # 9 Lines mens pliers or a slot screw driver to tighten ...
like they say on Pink Floyd The Wall
IT Will Not Do
yours
On Tue, Mar 23, 2010 at 6:41 AM, Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@comcast.net> wrote:
> Yes, I just did a post on this on the samba. Here it is for your folks:
>
> The big reason why our kits and VC and the others are using this
> specific worm drive *clamp* is that they don't loosen and leak over
> time. VW tried just about every type of *clamp* you can mention except
> for the worm drive one that we include in our kits and they all leak.
> They started out with the crimp clamps (leak). Then they moved to the
> pretty smooth band type with the nice fine pitch screw (leak). Then they
> had a recall and installed the spring type *clamp* that you see on
> either recall victims or later model Vanagons (the worst leaking thing
> of them all). The biggest problem is that over time all of these clamps
> loose their tension for one reason or another (the spring ones never had
> much tension to start with). As mechanics who have been working on these
> vans and looking at them every day for years and years, myself
> (Van-Again) and VC, and GW have seen how crappy these other clamps are
> and will not use them (at least I won't). When you replace lines and see
> the plastic line cover full of dried up gasoline residue, over and over
> again it is a sobering experience. The whole point of replacing your
> fuel lines is not that they are pretty or that they are quick to
> install, but that in the end you don't have leaks. I have found my kit
> and others like it to be the best way to go. And I make mine look pretty
> by just taking a moment to make all of the *clamp* heads come on the
> same side, things like that. You can easily install these with a nut
> driver in a few seconds. I love how folks who have never done this
> project before know more that people who have done it for years, and
> years. There is a reason why the Vendors are out there. One of those
> reasons is that they are looking out for you, their customers. We want
> you and your vans to stick around for many, many years to come.
> _________________
> Thanks,
>
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com <http://www.vanagain.com>
> 856-327-4936
>
>
> Raymond Paquette wrote:
>
>> Okay, I've gotten lots of feedback (thanks).
>>
>> Most say don't use worm clamps.
>> Some say only use spring clamps, as they will stay tight as the hose
>> contracts.
>> Some say worm type are okay, if they are the kind where the slots don't
>> go all the way through, so the inside/bearing surface is smooth. Mine
>> are this type, smooth on the inside.
>>
>> I lean toward trusting the vendor. Does anyone have actual experience
>> with this kind of clamp?
>>
>> Thanks more.
>>
>> Raymond
>>
>> Raymond Paquette wrote:
>>
>>> Hi
>>>
>>> RE: replacing all of my fuel lines
>>>
>>> All advice that I've seen says to use clamps for fuel-injection hose,
>>> and not the worm type, as they always loosen and/or get a flat spot.
>>>
>>> But, I just got my kit-o-parts and it has worm type clamps.
>>>
>>> Anybody think I should or shouldn't use the clamps I got, or that I
>>> should complain to the (reputable) vendor? Or is this an overkill thing?
>>>
>>> Raymond
>>>
>>>
>>
--
roger w
From Proverbs:
Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a
servant who becomes king ...
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