might be a long way to an exhaust/muffler shop from where you are now ..
but good solid wide band clamps with a bolt to tighten it are a standard
thing in the exhaust/muffler world.

even a good FLAPS would have something.
a hose clamp can't generate even a fraction of the tightening force you
want.
What you needed shouldn't be hard to find really.
even online.

Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Hanson" <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2011 1:37 PM
Subject: Muffler clamp question

>  I've seen reference to "Muffler Clamps" for stock Vanagon exhaust systems
> as well as a Tiico-specific offering that is currently 'not available'
>
>   Anyone have any suggestions for some type of 'work around' to clamp a
> muffler on my inline four powered vanagon?  It's very similar to the Tiico
> set up, or a diesel vanagon, with a muffler that is set crosswise to the
> direction of travel between the rear bumper and the back end of the motor.
> The muffler needs a clamp that is 21" in circumference to go around the
> muffler and to bind that onto the diesel-type muffler hanger bracket that
> comes off the passenger side of the engine.   I have been making do with
> two
> SS hose clamps, but they are not strong enough...they have been snapping
> after about a week.  I have a back-up mount that holds the exhaust up when
> these hose clamps break, but that is attached to the tailpipe and hangs
> off
> the body of the van, causing undue stress and vibration noise.   When the
> exhaust is clamped round the oval muffler and mounted only to the motor,
> it
> works great...but I need something a bit more substantial than hardware
> store hose clamps to do the job.
>
>   I've searched online for band clamps, hose clamps, and every other thing
> I could think of with no luck.   If they made hose clamps that were about
> an
> inch wide and long enough and strong enough to go round the muffler and
> the
> mount, like maybe the standard WBX muffler clamp (no picture I could find
> anywhere) or better yet...that Tiico purpose built (but not currently
> available ) clamp...that would be super.
>
>   Anybody have any hints where I might find something?   I could post a
> pic
> of the clamps in place, I suppose, but I think you can get the idea from
> just the words..
>
>  Don Hanson