I replaced my heater core and flushed the coolant on my 2000 7.3L F250. Just to get the hoses off the old heater core, I had to cut the heater core and even then, I had to break the retaining clips to get the hoses off. I may have been able get them off in one piece if I had tried hard enough, but I figured they'd be cheap and easy to find. WRONG!

So that said, does anyone have a lead on where or if I can get this part without having to buy the hose assembly or female connector? I have also considered just cutting the female quick connect fitting off, slipping the hose over the heater core tubing and using a worm drive clamp or two to hold it on. Thoughts on that?

Check to google to see if the gas engines have the same clips then go to the pick n pull.

Do they look like These ?

I don't know if it would suit you, but I really like the heat-shrink hose clamps. Used them on our '66 Mustang for all of the hoses: radiator, heater core, thermostat manifold. Slide them over the hose, slide the hose over the fitting, slide the clamp up, and apply heat. They apply pressure very evenly around and don't bite into the rubber like metal clamps. Of course, they are single use and you have to cut them off very carefully to avoid damaging the hose.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/powergrip/gates-powergrip-1-2-inch-to-11-16-inch-hose-clamp/gatu/32915?q=heat+shrink+hose+clamp&pos=0

What 87IE posted is what I believe the OP broke. I'd go to the pick and pull. If those are the clips, they are the exact same as any late model ford truck of that vintage. My '02 F150 had them and I got mine off after a LOT of work. My hands looked like hamburger when I was done. I'll look in my shop and see if I have the ones off the old hoses. If so, you can freakin have them.

Personally, I'd replace the hoses. You have a fresh core, just suck it up and replace the hoses and get new clips and pliable rubber.

Thanks for the feedback. I may just buy new hoses but I was hoping to get out of this repair fairly cheap and new hoses add up to about half of what I've already spent. The part 87IE found will definitely work and that site is cheaper than any other I've found but then I'm at about 1/3 the cost of new hoses so I might as well go ahead. I was really hoping for just the white part inside the female like this which is available for so many other vehicles.