Phew, gave myself a headache looking for these. The heater core hoses say 1.4", I was able to find 1 & 1/4" constant tension hose clamps, these should fit right?

What I do not get is why the OE listed clamp takes me to a 4" clamp, when the dimensions listed on each hose are not 4", I mean I know you want the clamps a tad bigger that actual hose OD, but does it need to be that much bigger?


Lower Rad Hose - 14.5 x 3 x 3 inches


Upper Rad Hose - 13.7 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches

Can I get new constant tension clamps to fit these hoses, and will one set size be good enough to use on both, or will I need to buy two different sizes?

For the Lower Rad Hose I think this clamp would work well, kind of like a worm gear one, but looks to be of a better design.

For the Upper Rad Hose this looks decent as well.

Of course I am open for suggestions on what to use, I know the worm gear ones are some of the worst I can use, but I only have but so many options from what I have found so far.

Looks like you are having fun!
I walked into a dealer told him I need the Delco hoses and a few extra OEM clamps,
He went into computer, then into back room & brought out the hoses, and threw down the clamps & said I am throwing those if for you, since you buy so much stuff here LOL!
I said perfect, Thanks! How much is that Buick Clock with Temp & a Barometer on it?
He said Wall price is $80, you can have one at cost $45, I said I will take one!
Someone got a nice wall clock last year!
...Moral of the story talk to the dealer, you might get em for free! LOL..

I could go to a dealer, and get the hoses there, I really want to go with the AC Delco Professional Molded hoses, they are supposed to be a step up from the old OEM ones.
A dealer is most likely going to charge me more for the hoses.
I am looking at 18.09 for the Lower, and 24.29 for the Upper, that includes free 2 day delivery thanks to my Amazon Prime account.
I should probably go ahead and order the hoses, as a few on Amazon say only 1 left in stock, I can figure out the clamps I need once I get the hose, just take them to a hardware store, and have them find the size that fits, and if they are the style I want then I'll get them, if not I'll order the ones I want in that same size.

I know one thing that bugs me, the heater core hoses say "Its diameter ranges from 1/4 in to 1 in to fit different types of vehicles"
Then below for item description is says "10.2 x 1.4 x 1.4 inches"
Pretty sure 1.4 inches is bigger than 1 inch... lol
Rock Auto lists the same exact hose as 23/32" x 12 11/16"

Now the other heater core hose says the same crap on Amazon, ""Its diameter ranges from 1/4 in to 1 in to fit different types of vehicles"
Item Description "15.3 x 1.4 x 1.4 inches"
But Rock Auto says this about this hose.
23/32" x 19 3/32"

I think I'll trust Rock Auto over Amazon here, Amazon has to be labelled wrong.
So I'll just round that 23/32 up to 24/32 which would be 3/4", so both hoses should use a 3/4" clamp, 24/32, or .75

So if that is the case I need the 3/4" clamps, I think, shrugs..
It says 3/4 OD, so as long as the measurement mentioned for the hoses is the OD measurement, then they should fit, if not and 3/4 is the ID, then I am guessing I'd need a 7/8" clamp..

Hmmmm, screw it I give up for tonight, just when I think I understand what something is supposed to be, I find out otherwise.
Does anybody have a manual for a 96 PA, or any manual for a car with the 3800 II motor, if so could you tell me the hose clam size mentioned for the radiator hoses?

The two radiator hoses I plan to get say the following.

The Lower Hose.
1-1/2" x 18 3/32"

The Upper Hose
1-9/32" x 17 3/32

I will not use a worm gear clamp, as I remember hearing it creates a high pressure point under the screw, and the last thing I want to do is crack my radiator neck.
If those are correct than wouldn't this constant tension clamp work for both?
http://www.amazon.com/Rotor-Clip-CTB...0075430&sr=8-1

Still trying to figure out just what size clamp I need, I measured the circumference of the upper radiator hose, it right at 6", so I used the following formula.
Nominal Application Diameter
ND = c ÷ 3.1416
So 6" ÷ 3.1416 = 1.9"

Does this mean I need a 1.9" hose clamp for this Upper Rad Hose?
Starting to think going to a dealer to at least get the clamps would not be a bad idea, lol
Still I am stubborn, and it should not be that hard to find the right clamps...

If the hose circumference is 6" you'd think the clamp size would be listed as 3" shrugs...

I am trying to decide if I do a flush and fill on the 2006 Grand Prix GT I just bought, or if I should get a shop to do it.
I have well water that is high in iron oxide, so I don't think me flushing it with it would be smart.
Unless there is an easy way I can remove it all before I do a fill, if so then I could just flush till it runs clear, then use a shopvac on the lower rad hose (if that would work) to get most of it out.
Then I could fill with a 50/50 of AF and Distilled water.

Looking for tips or advice.
If I have to I can pay a shop to do it, as I want to be able to change to something like ZEREX G-05, or Prestone Extended Life...

William,

A couple comments. No way on the tap or well water. Go to Wal mart and buy eight gallons of distilled water for .89 a gallon. A note some of the non DEC coolants are now engineered for hard water. I use a mighty vac to pull the old coolant out of the radiator. Works real well actually- only issue is hose collapses with hot coolant so doing when colder is easier. With a 2 gallon bucket, a mighty vac, some coolant, and distilled water the job is super easy. Most GM radiators no longer have a petcock, so pulling lower radiator hose is the alternative to the mighty vac.

You might also consider going to rock auto and getting a new coolant overflow tank for $10-20 and a new radiator cap.

If you do the flush yourself with the mighyvac you can do it three or four times in a weekend for the price of one flush at a shop.

Thanks Mike, I'll try to do it myself.
Will the shopvac be able to evacuate coolant from the heater core, or will I have to close it up after draining all I can get out, then filling with distilled water, letting it run for a few minutes, crank heat up for a min or so, then repeat draining process?
I'd rather not have to remove the heater core lines unless I really have to.
My shopvac is a nice commercial grade one, with like 5.5 HP or so..