Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:15:32 -0400
Reply-To: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: worm type fuel line clamps
In-Reply-To: <ccd73a11003231024y50096214ja148a5d9bb37e496@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
While I respect GW and I am not bashing them in any way, I would say
that my use of the worm drive Norma clamps as well as VC is just as
valid as GWs use of this type of ear clamp. The choice of clamp that we
use is based on our years of experience. While I have no experience
with this type of clamp I have many years of experience on my own
Vanagon and many customer's vans with the worm drive Norma clamp that we
include in our kits. I would say the biggest plus is that our clamps do
not require a special tool to be purchased in order to ensure proper
fitment. You can use a screw driver or a nut driver which most people
have already. Also we DO include a very basic, step by step set of
instructions with our kits to ensure that my customers can do this job
themselves and right the first time.
GW has a habit of making what they sell sound better and more "special"
than what others are doing or selling. However, many times they are
selling the exact same product and charging more for it. That doesn't
automatically mean it is better. A good case in point would be the gear
reduction starters they were selling a few years ago. To call this
product a "flaming turd" would be kind. They spoke of them as superior
to the OE Bosch rebuilds. You notice they no longer sell them on their
site even though they were the most awesome starter ever just a couple
of years ago. :-)
The clamps are an expensive part of the hose kit that we sell. If we
used the clamps that GW puts in it's kits we could sell our kits for
much less, however I want to ensure that my customers are getting
something that is tested over time and will hold up in the long run for
them. That means stainless steel clamps, made in Germany and also
German high pressure fuel line only. Anything less to me would be not
staying true to what I have always tried to do which is to only help my
customers.
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
Roger Whittaker wrote:
> 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
> <mailto: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> <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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