Turbo v-clamp

[bobofthenorth]

So I've been noticing progressively more black smoke the last couple of trips and less turbo boost.  I was blaming it on a dirty air filter but that didn't seem 100% logical.  Today I finally got to a NAPA store to buy a new filter but when I started to install it I noticed that the clamp on the centre of the turbo looked "funny".  Closer inspection revealed that the t-bolt in the clamp had sheared off clean.  Oh dear.  I think it was just last week that I posted that sometimes I go as much as a whole week without wanting to give the frenchy-bus to someone I don't like.

"No big deal though" thinks I - "at least it happened while we are in Saskatoon (ie. close to the Detroit store)".  So off I went to the local Detroit dealer, Waterous Power which is now apparently called Wajax.  The dope at the counter looked up, looked at my clamp and said "what's that?".  I thought "this might not go well".  Once I had explained to him what it was he immediately announced that not only was that clamp not available, it had NEVER been available.  "You gotta be kidding?" "Nope.  You gotta buy a new turbo."  Yeah right - we'll get right on that.

So I went next door to Maxim but despite the fact that their sign claims they do truck parts what they really are is an International dealer and anyone who has ever bought parts from International knows that you don't buy jack $#!% without a serial number.  So on to the new Traction store in town.  When I went in there I wasn't impressed - it is one of those huge retail setups with counters at the back where kids sit in front of computers and look up parts.  But these guys really tried.  I was impressed.  At one point I had three of them trying for me.  We didn't score on the replacement clamp but it wasn't for lack of them trying.  I ended up buying a small t-bolt clamp and told them I'd sacrifice it to replace the t-bolt in my clamp.  The youngest of the kids clearly thought I was nuts but one of the older guys was obviously more my kind of shade tree mechanic and he thought my idea might work.  And it did work - actually it was dead simple.

But now one of you smart guys - please tell me that I can buy this clamp somewhere.  Surely people don't scrap turbos for lack of a $15 v-clamp?

[lostagain]

Bob, go to an independent engine re-manufacturer. Like Alberta Engine in Calgary. There will be some equivalent in Sasquachewan. They will know where to get one.

JC

[chessie4905]

http://www.walkerheavyduty.com/products/documents/vbandclamps.pdf

[bobofthenorth]

Thanks JC.  I think my fix is going to hold but maybe someone else will benefit from the advice.

Chessie we had that catalog but the problem is the clamp is roughly 9" ID.  Nothing even close in that catalog.

[luvrbus]

Bob, that is a RG Ray Inc clamp part HG5 have ZeroClearance here send you one he probably has a good supply on hand now the 15 dollar clamp I don't know about that lol if all else fails I can send you one

[muldoonman]

Started to say that's a everyday clamp. Use to Package Gas Compressors here for a living in Texas. If you can't find one hollar. Looks like the Cliff has got you covered. Any Industrial Turbo place should have one.

[Scott & Heather]

Bought mine at NAPA but it was way more that $15


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[Len Silva]

If the parts guy cannot find it in ten keystrokes or less, it does not exist.

[bobofthenorth]

If the parts guy cannot find it in ten keystrokes or less, it does not exist.

I'm familiar with that attitude Len.  This guy started out with "what's that?" and then switched immediately to "they don't make it".  Gotta love the balls on anybody who thinks they can get away with that but it'll be a frosty friday before I ever darken his door again.  Just in case anybody else wants to avoid the fool he's at Wajax on the north service road in Saskatoon.

[luvrbus]

Bob, fwiw I have never been able to buy that clamp from WW Williams and Bill is the sharpest around when ordering parts for a DD

[wg4t50]

Sounds like the parts counter guy who wants to know what the 1/4X20 2" bolt fits so he can look it up.   Or needs to know what a 8D battery fits so h can find it in his computer 

[bobofthenorth]

I can believe that Clifford.  Particularly in Canada this seems to be a difficult part to source.  But I'll bet your buddy Bill doesn't ask you what that is when you walk in carrying a turbo clamp.  In this case the idiot got lucky - even a blind squirrel finds an occasional nut. 

[Don Fairchild]

Bob, If you need some more of those clamps I have about 20 of them setting here.

Don

[Ed Hackenbruch]

So if a guy doesn't even know what the part is,.....how could he possibly know that they don't make it anymore or that it had never been available?  I think i would have to call him out on that one.