Blairwag and others,
This hose clamp issue has always been a topic of discussion. The questions you must ask yourself are a) do you simply want clamps that work, b)are you looking for "some measure" of correctness or accuracy, or c) looking for the utmost in accuracy.
for a) just use those "fat-a**" American style clamps that you can find anywhere, from The Home Depot to any plumbing supply store. Note that these come in generally two varieties--all stainless and stainless band only. Home Depot and stores like that will generally have stainless bands only; all stainless are best found at plumbing supply houses, fastener stores, etc. they are cheap, readily available, and work. If you don't have a concours car, these might be just fine. I'd go with the all stainless variety.
b) For some measure of historical accuracy, you'll want a European style clamp such as a Wurth. You can find these at some foreign auto parts places, and most of the "usual gang of suspects" that cater to 190SL and 113 chassis cars. You know who they are. S&S Imports in Dallas (Will Samples) carried these in a variety of different sizes. My local MB mechanic had other sources for similar (Beru comes to mind) style clamps. I understand if you have made this attempt at clamps, you will not be penalized in a concours, even if they are not 100% accurate. At least that's what I remember Pete Lesler saying last year when he looked at mine...
c) For extreme restorations or for complete accuracy, I think the general consensus is that the "made to measure" clamps using fittings and raw banding is the way to go. I believe most of us thought this kind of clamping system was "NLA". However, yesterday I discovered that one MB parts dealer does indeed have these setups and had just supplied a bunch of the material for a 190SL restoration. His name is Randy Steele, "The mbpartsguy" and can be contacted at: randy@epsparts.com / TEL:800-334-2749 / TEL:805-683-4020 /FAX:805-683-3689 5960 Mandarin Ave. Goleta, CA 93117 P.O. Box 6783 Santa Barbara, CA 93160
http://www.epsparts.com I have no direct experience with him, the topic just came up in conversation.
When my car was restored, the restorer (who should have known better! :evil: ) used the large American clamps. When I brought it in for a tuneup to the local independent MB mechanic, he said it is a shame to have this "detailed" engine bay with these grossly inaccurate clamps. When it went back in the next time, they were changed to the narrow European clamps. What is particularly funny is that the mechanic originally did not want to work on "that old thing", but once he got it, he "got into it" and helped with some things like this clamp issue.
Hope this helps.
Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Mike Salemi
