I have a 1988 F250 with big block gasoline engine. I found a hose squirting coolant from a 4' section of black hose and upon advice of the clerk at Pep Boys, purchased heater hose, new coolant, new hose clamps, etc.

Unfortunately, I've never seen these odd pyramid looking hose clamps before and I'm not sure what to do with them. I was advised to replace both hoses going into the firewall. I loosened the (vertical) screw on one of the clamps but the metal gizmo is not moving. I've pulled on the hose a bunch but it seems fairly well stuck. There's so little room behind the clamp, the hose seems literally to be stuck directly to the firewall.

How do I get this stuff loose? Is it safe to clip those weird hose clamps off? Can I slice the hoses off with a utility blade once I get access to the end of the hose?

Regards,
edfan at earthlink.net

 

I cut the hose off. Than I stick a screw driver at the bottom of the clamp below the screw between the hose & clamp. I wiggle the screw driver up and down slowly streching the clamp. After a while it gets stretched & you can pull the clamp off.