Help with Radiator Hose Clamps ID

[Don Z.]

Hi Again. When I bought my '66 the following radiator hose tower clamps where on the car. I don't think they are correct for the car which is a March '66 car. I was going to buy new ones but if these or some of them are correct I can use them. Help ID'ing them is appreciated.
They are Wittek Mfg. Co Chicago USA. 2 0f them are 2 1/16 2/85 66: 1 of them is 2 5/16 1/86 74: and 1 of them is 2 5/16 2/85 74
As always you help is appreciated....Thank You

[John H.]

Re: Help with Radiator Hose Clamps ID

2 0f them are 2 1/16 2/85 66: 1 of them is 2 5/16 1/86 74: and 1 of them is 2 5/16 2/85 74
As always you help is appreciated....Thank You

Don -

The 2-1/16" were made the 2nd quarter of 1985, and are Wittek catalog size 66; the 2-5/16" were made the 1st quarter of 1986 and the 2nd quarter of 1985, and are Wittek catalog size 74.

Wittek went bankrupt in the late 80's. Beware of the reproduction dated Wittek clamps - the materials (band, saddle and screw) are not of the original quality, and they're basically junk. I use genuine Wittek clamps and ignore the dates. My '69 Z/28 still has its original Wittek radiator hose clamps, and they've been re-used twice when changing hoses.

[Gene M.]

Re: Help with Radiator Hose Clamps ID

What John said about these repop clamps being junk is dead on. But us sick date stamp junkies just gotta have em...... So how many of you guys go to tighten the clamp and before it's secure the tower start to collapse? Well try this coat that stupid clamp with STP or your favorite slippery stuff in between all the metal contacting surfaces before you install it. Even in the tower area under the screw. Soaking the whole clamp in WD40 works good too. The difference is just remarkable.

[Don Z.]

Re: Help with Radiator Hose Clamps ID

Thank You John & Gene. That clears that up.
Now, I know I can't use them with my '66.
Wittek is out of business and repros are bad stuff, soooooooooooo just where does one find the best repros ?? Looking thru the archives there was a post by Joe Lucia that Dr. Rebuild had originals but then the post was 10 years old! I know possibly junk yards in which we just don't have many if any at all is a good source for originals. Are there photos or articles showing the difference between originals and repros?
Soooo who has the closest repro?
Thank You

[John H.]

Re: Help with Radiator Hose Clamps ID

Soooo who has the closest repro?
Thank You

There's only one, and they're not reliable. The best source for originals is a junkyard; if you remove them carefully, you can re-use them.

[Joe L.]

Re: Help with Radiator Hose Clamps ID

Thank You John & Gene. That clears that up.
Now, I know I can't use them with my '66.
Wittek is out of business and repros are bad stuff, soooooooooooo just where does one find the best repros ?? Looking thru the archives there was a post by Joe Lucia that Dr. Rebuild had originals but then the post was 10 years old! I know possibly junk yards in which we just don't have many if any at all is a good source for originals. Are there photos or articles showing the difference between originals and repros?
Soooo who has the closest repro?
Thank You

Don-----


I think that Dr. Rebuild still has some original Wittek-manufactured hose clamps. I don't think they have all sizes anymore, but I think they still have at least some. I think they're the "only source in the world" for NOS Wittek clamps.