Topic: Whittek Clamp Finish Question

[dkknab]

NOTE: The first post below was separated from another thread in a specific area of the site. Thought it would better serve everyone to separate it and post it hear as a focus point for that discussion rather than have a dozen or more of them scattered in different sections.
 


Not to derail this thread,  but what is the finish of the tower heater hose clamps, particularly for those at the heater box inside the car?

[Bob Gaines]

Not to derail this thread,  but what is the finish of the tower heater hose clamps, particularly for those at the heater box inside the car?

The original Whittek clamps typically had a galvanized appearance when new.

[J_Speegle]

Finish would be the same for all of the heater hose clamps. Often the interior ones are the best at showing the original finish.

I have mixed findings and opinion of the original finish on the bands that make up the clamps. Have seen really nice originals with no sign of a galvanized looking  finish (even comparing protected and exposed surfaces) and have seen service replacements and Whittek clamps for different purposes and sizes with that look. We may have different plating methods or products depending on type of clamp and which year they were made/plated

[ruppstang]

Correct, the Smog ones are dichromate plated.

[dkknab]

Here are a handful.  Not sure where I got the top 2 with 4/77 and 1/78 dates.  The bottom 2 are from NPD. I got a mixed bag of clamps.  Seems the impression in the clamp band can be just enough off center that it's nearly impossible to cinch down the clamp and have the tower form uniformly.

[Bob Gaines]

I should have known the time I forgot to write "typically" to cover any anomalies in the millions made that may be different the word is needed for clarification. I amended my post.