Better Carb Holder Clamps?

[danny01975]

I've been tracking down an air leak somewhere between the carbs and the engine. I suspect either leaky throttle shaft seals, or boots. I replaced the boots and the new ones came with standard worm-gear hose clamps. These clamps do seem to have better clamping force and may have resolved my issue. Improperly tightened / sealed carb holder clamps allowing un-metered air to be sucked in. Further testing will tell.

My question is, are there better boot clamps out there? The hose clamps work well but they really dig into the boots. Someone mentioned using constant torque clamps but I can't find any that are narrow enough to fit the boots.

Or should I just stick with the stock clamps and just make sure they're as tight as possible?

[Nessism]

If the boots are in good condition, you don't need fancy clamps. In fact, wide clamps, like wormscrew hose clamps are too wide. The OEM clamps are smaller, and provide more of a point contact. They also stretch if over tightened, which is not good, so don't over tighten them. Based on your reference to the boots coming with wormscrew clamps, that suggests aftermarket boots. That may be the problem, but unlikely, since they are new. The bigger concern with aftermarket boots is durability.

[dgates1]

You can "shorten" you factory clamps that have stretched. Take off the threaded clip where the screw goes through. Cut off the 90* bent portion. Drill a new hole and bend it 90*. Then put the threaded clip back on and (as they say... other places..) Bob's your uncle.

[danny01975]

If the boots are in good condition, you don't need fancy clamps. In fact, wide clamps, like wormscrew hose clamps are too wide. The OEM clamps are smaller, and provide more of a point contact. They also stretch if over tightened, which is not good, so don't over tighten them. Based on your reference to the boots coming with wormscrew clamps, that suggests aftermarket boots. That may be the problem, but unlikely, since they are new. The bigger concern with aftermarket boots is durability.

You are correct, these are aftermarket boots. The issue was present with the OEM boots. That's why I replaced them. I was unable to find both left and right side OEM boots, and honestly I wasn't sure if that was even the issue. The wormscrew clamps that came with the boots are only a tiny bit wider than the stock ones but they fit fine within the grooves on the boots. Any other clamps I find are just too wide.

My main concern was that the OEM clamps just weren't tight enough. I'll stick with the OEM clamps, and maybe get a new set, in case mine are deformed and not able to provide enough clamping force.