Topic: Will Vaseline help me get it in there?

[cleveland]

Get you heads out of the gutter! 

I am having some trouble getting carbs onto an engine.  I tried using a heat gun and it softened up the boots some, but it's not enough.  I am not sure how much heat I can use before it begins to melt the rubber.  So can I use Vaseline on the inside of the boots to make them slide on easier?  Will it just burn up after a while, or would it give me a problem?

Thanks, cleveland

[miles nowhere]

i wipe a little bit of oil on the boots...works pretty well

[BobbyR]

I use a silicone spray or paste, vasoline may work also, but it may burn off.

[mrbreeze]

I've heard good things about Vasoline......................................................

[ktp1598]

Whatever you use, make sure it won't eat at the rubber over time.

[aptech77]

I would something like DC4.

[hopterfixer]

I use a very thin swipe of DC4 when I do mine. 
 

[aptech77]

 

[putnaja1]

I usually heat mine to get them to go on easier

[USN20]

I like using Dielectric grease on spark plug and carb boots as it's a rubber friendly product.
(Also works well on side cover grommets)

[mwohlenhaus]

vaseline has a tendency to waterproof your hand and your...ummm...err...carb boots, for about a week and a half.

[Master Ted]

I usually heat mine to get them to go on easier

ditto

[hopterfixer]

I like using Dielectric grease on spark plug and carb boots as it's a rubber friendly product.
(Also works well on side cover grommets)

Sorry, the DC-4 mentioned above is a dielectric grease, Dow Corning #4, widely used in aviation.  I used it on every connection when I disassembled my bike last winter and on most of the rubber parts.  It works great for removing old rubber grommets and other parts without destroying them too. 

[Steve]

When I re-fitted my carbs I struggled until I used two pieces of planed wood to gently lever the carbs into position, but be gentle so as not to splinter the wood and contaminate the bores of the carbs.

Steve.

[Jonesy]

Boiling the carb boots in water is the easiest way to heat them up. Gotta work fast once you remove them from the water, though...

[dusterdude]

blow dryer

[Klark Kent]

I just reinstalled my carbs in 45 - 50 degree (F) weather.  no heating up. no vaseline.  and it wasnt that hard.  i dont think its because of my super strength either.  I take off all the intake boots and put the exhaust boots on the carbs.  then i slide the carbs into position and shove the four exaust boots into the head.  eventually they all rock down to flush.  then it is a matter of sueezing the intake boots into the airbox inside ones first then outer ones and shoving the airbox onto the carb intakes, a little rocking again and they flush up.  then i put the metal collars back on the intake boots (the ones on the exhaust side never came off the boots) and tighten everything up.  remount the airbox.  good to go.

with the collars off or totally loose, it doesnt seem all that hard to slide the boots over their ports.  am i missing something?
-KK

[Hop on a Honda]

The rubber boots will be greatly softened by either dropping them in boiling water OR  after boiling them for a 30 second period then dropping them into ATF.
This will allow the ATF to actually get into and penetrate the rubber itself and make it soft and pliable so as you can remove them first but put them back onto the carbys FIRST
This way the rubber boots can be put on to the carby throats correctly with the line to the top the ends are not parrallel.
When the air box is ready to be assembled onto the rubber tubes make sure that you only put the top half on first, This way you can get the boots in through the air box holes much easier than the other way.With the four clamps make sure that the two center ones are at the top. It will pay to replace the  (4) small soft screws too.
This application is just the opposite of using vaseline !!! and it wont hurt!!!
Dave

[ofreen]

Last time I installed carbs onto the head, I used Ru-Glide tire mounting lube - yet another use for the stuff.  It worked slicker than the proverbial mucous membrane on a doorknob.

[Klark Kent]

you know i never noticed how van gogh was holding that banana until you started talkin lube ofreen.
-KK

[ofreen]

you know i never noticed how van gogh was holding that banana until you started talkin lube ofreen.
-KK

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=13384.msg130020#msg130020

[mrbreeze]

Getting back to the main topic though.......Vaseline will ALWAYS help you GET IT IN THERE!!!!!........(like I said earlier...I've heard good things about Vaseline!!!)

[jabbadeznuts]

depends on how tight she is

[cafetero1]

Since we are on the topic of carb boots, can any of the experts out there (I'm a rook) pipe in on alternatives (if any) on having to purchase these carb boots from the dealer?  It looks like I will need to replace mine.  I inquired from the dealer as to cost and availability and I just about crapped my pants when I heard what these would cost? 

Thank you in advance for any feedback.

[Lumbee]

...lay on it with the heat gun until they are soft enough...the head gets pretty hot, so I don't think you have to worry about damaging the boots...if you se smoke, then stop...