>
>   I was just thinking while I was replacing my heater hoses today should I
> replace all the clamps with stainless screw types or should I keep the
> factory spring type. The originals seem to be in good shape. Any help will
> be great.
>
> When I replaced every water hose in the whole vehicle, I went with factory
spring clamps everywhere. The PO (or the PO's "mechanic" ) had made a number
of repairs with nasty cheese-grater hose clamps. Everywhere there was a
spring clamp, the hose was fine. Everywhere there was a screw-type band
clamp, it was cutting through the rubber. In one case, on the oil cooler, I
swear there was no rubber left and the hose was only staying because of my
happy thoughts. I think the spring-type clamps are easier on the hoses
because they give them room for thermal expansion. If you have a good set of
cable-type spring clamp pliers, they're easier to deal with than the screw
type ones-- just squeeze, place, release. The only difficulty I had was that
I bought extra-thick 5/8" heater hose and the spring clamps only just barely
fit over the hose at full open. In a couple spots I had to dremel off part
of that little stop tab. I haven't leaked a drop of coolant since.

--
John Bange
'90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"