Jason,

Did you post a link to a specialized tool to remove hard to reach spring loaded hose clamps? We ran into an issue tonight where coolant needed to be drained and the radiator drain appeared to be stuck. Not wanting to break the darn thing, I decided to pull the lower radiator hose. Nothing I had could reach the hose clamp tabs. So I thought screw that, we'll just remove the hose from the water pump housing. Crap same thing clamp tabs unreachable.

Did you post the link to that tool? If it wasn't you it would have been PRJ.

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04 Indy SS build #972
XP, TOG's, Lightning injectors, 2.8 pulley, 105 CC springs, Wizaired, 3.29 gears, tripleedgeperformance ported blower, machined LIM, 180* tstat, RS12YC@.053, FP rewire, Alt rewire, stage 1 V boost, PRJ wires, Stage 2 IC

On here, no I have not posted that tool. But I know exactly what tool your talking about as I do own it, and love it to death. Its for use with the self adjusting clamps we have, and works wonders with that bastard of a lower hose clamp.

Here is the tool:

• New ratchet feature provides amazing control of jaws.
• Suitable for both standard & space saver clamps from 3/4" to 2 3/32".

They can run you anywhere from around $30.00 to $150.00

Not sure if local auto parts stores have them or not. (Autozone/O'Reilly's for example) I think I got mine off line. I know for sure ToolParadise.com - It's Paradise for Tools! Professional Tools for the Mechanic and Serious Hobbyist has them.

~F~

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You the man Jason. Yep I knew the thread where I saw this wasn't here, and yes that is what I was looking for. I'll search that site to see if I can find them. What are they called? May help me find them quicker...time is of the essence.

Edit: Hose clamp tool*** going to order these tomorrow.

I wished I had bought this back when you first posted this info, back in the day.

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04 Indy SS build #972
XP, TOG's, Lightning injectors, 2.8 pulley, 105 CC springs, Wizaired, 3.29 gears, tripleedgeperformance ported blower, machined LIM, 180* tstat, RS12YC@.053, FP rewire, Alt rewire, stage 1 V boost, PRJ wires, Stage 2 IC

You can search for Hose Pliers, or Hose Clamp Pliers, both will bring you to all they have.

~F~

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Ordering a set tomorrow. Drews radiator hose was probably original so I just cut it off. However, putting a new hose back on may be a lot easier with a pair of these pliers.

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04 Indy SS build #972
XP, TOG's, Lightning injectors, 2.8 pulley, 105 CC springs, Wizaired, 3.29 gears, tripleedgeperformance ported blower, machined LIM, 180* tstat, RS12YC@.053, FP rewire, Alt rewire, stage 1 V boost, PRJ wires, Stage 2 IC

I have that thing and I love it. Allows me to remove those dastardly clamps and install more convienient ones.

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Scotty Hall
Bartlesville, OK
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it.

Even if you shoot for the moon and miss, you still land among the stars.

I sure could have used one of those last night. Cutting the hose is rather messy. Oh and fwiw. Drews dex didn't look too bad for a car with well over 100K miles. Right at the radiator cap there was a very slight amount of red slim. However inside of the water pump housing, cut up radiator hose, bottom opening of the radiator, and thermostat housing was very clean. Dex is definitely going back in. The only worry I have now is the potential air contamination from leaving the system open, until all of the work is complete.

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04 Indy SS build #972
XP, TOG's, Lightning injectors, 2.8 pulley, 105 CC springs, Wizaired, 3.29 gears, tripleedgeperformance ported blower, machined LIM, 180* tstat, RS12YC@.053, FP rewire, Alt rewire, stage 1 V boost, PRJ wires, Stage 2 IC

If its a redish color, then there was some type of rust in the system. The DexCool itself when it gels up is more or an orangish brown color if not more of a light brownish color.

I also will add this to the mix. I have a test kit that will test the ph levels and additive concentration in coolants, including the so called long life coolants. I have yet to test one of them that was anywhere near being in good shape that long into the run.

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Scotty Hall
Bartlesville, OK
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it.

Even if you shoot for the moon and miss, you still land among the stars.

I'm color blind...it looked normal to me other than the little bit of slippery stuff on the radiator cap. The color is similar to the nice clear red/orange stuff that's in my daughters cavi. I totally agree, the extended life products are not as extended as people are led to believe.

We got the car with almost 100K miles on it, so I really expected it to look a lot worse. It's certainly nothing I would be concerned about, even with as anal as I am.

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04 Indy SS build #972
XP, TOG's, Lightning injectors, 2.8 pulley, 105 CC springs, Wizaired, 3.29 gears, tripleedgeperformance ported blower, machined LIM, 180* tstat, RS12YC@.053, FP rewire, Alt rewire, stage 1 V boost, PRJ wires, Stage 2 IC

I see your point. But I revert back to an earlier statement that I made in another similar thread. In all the years I have drove (I learned on a Datsun pickup w/5 spd at age 11 and got my license at 15) I have never ever seen any other coolant do what DexCool does. I have seen the Yellow coolants, Red ones, Green ones, etc. and Dex Cool is the ONLY coolant that I have ever seen that gels like it does and deposits the crap it can into the cooling system.

I do believe there are other factors at play here that worked in conjunction with the Dex Cool chemistry to cause it to do as it has. Dex Cool is not solely to blame so much. But its chemistry enabled it to react in such a way that no other coolant has and is why it will never see light of day in any vehicle I own again. There is no disputing that some have went long periods with no issues, but the fact that it can occur, coupled with most peoples neglect of cooling systems is just not a good combination in my opinion.

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Scotty Hall
Bartlesville, OK
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it.

Even if you shoot for the moon and miss, you still land among the stars.