with the worm clamps, I always use two going in opposite directions when they tighten so its a twist.

Was the spring clamp bad? I generally reuse them

Its the charge clamps and boots I replace.

 

Lower? Do you mean upper? Maybe I'm an idiot. If you are having doubts, bring it up to pressure and operating temp and spray some soapy water on it. You'll know if it's leaking or not holding from the bubbles.

 

Should be fine, I like the spring clamps since I usually overtighten the worm clamp ones... I like the idea of double worm clamps (lighter torque on each) and use that on boat plumbing but never thought about it one a vehicle!

 

I've never had a quality worm drive clamp fail, but they can be overtightened and damage the pipe, especially if plastic.

 

What's the pressure... 14-18psig? A spring clamp will hold 2-3 times that easily. Some folks are all about the hose/ worm style. All good but they tend to be over tightened and actually damage the hose. I race with a 16psi cap and 100% spring clamps. Never once had a hose fail at the neck.

 

I thank all of you for your replies. I just had a terrible thought of how bad it would be if the hose had popped off. If you have never changed the lower hose it is hard to image how little space there is to work. My plan was to use two hose clamps, but I barely found a spot to fit and tighten one.

 

I like spring clamps also! As in most things, don't get cheap ones though.

The correct tool to install and remove them is the key.

 

Small update, 2 drops of coolant on the cross member right under lower hose water pump connection and a 3 inch round puddle under radiator lower hose connection this morning. The bitxx is getting to the water pump lower outlet. Might have to go back to the spring back there. And this was after only a few miles warming up to 192.

 

Well, at least you found it. Can you be sure its from the lower hose?

 

if you can get in there you can open a worm drive camp all the way and put it on 180* from the other and not spill any coolant

 

Here is the old hose you can see the split. Behind the water pump outlet the cylinder head is to close for the body of a worm drive clamp if the socket part was point up. The one I installed is pointed towards the radiator and tightened under the belt. I will probably remove the air box and charge tube and try again to fit a second clamp like I did this morning on the radiator side. At this point I almost wish I had fought with the used spring clamp I removed. I had to use large vise grips then tighten the adjustment end with channel locks in order to release.

 

That looks like something cut it. Strange.