Topic: What melts gasket stuff?

[Patrick]

And I thought I was cheap. I bow before the master.....

I started digging into the carbs for my F3 750. Turns out they are probably trashed, but I might be able to get some parts off them. I say "might" because at this point I am unable to properly assay their condition. Apparently in a fit of thrift, or perhaps because he gave up on stock gaskets, my bike's PO glued the float bowls on with some type of blue gasket material. I only know the color because it squished out from the seam between the bowl and the carb body. God only knows what may have squished INTO the carbs.

I cannot get these bowls off. I have rapped on them with my dead blow hammer and they don't budge. I can't find a good pry spot that I am confident will not completely destroy the bowl. Any ideas anyone?

I also am in the market for some parts carbs that will fit a 77-78 K or F 750, at least two of which should be structurally complete. One of the butterflies has been removed from my carbs and a second was partially removed (he got one screw out, stripped the second). The partially removed butterfly is extremely rusty, so I suspect the one he successfully removed was also rusted. I don't see a listing on the parts fiche for butterfly plates.

Thanks.

[eldar]

Maybe try to get a small flat head screwdriver between the carb body and the blow and tap it in and try to go around the outside all the way around and see if you can break it up enough.

[mmtsquid]

Not trying to be a smart a$$, but have you removed the float bowl screws?

Don't ask why I mentioned this possibility...........

[ct_racer]

I didn't use it for this application but I have used gasket remover spray from autozone on my old head gasket and it was bubbling up and defiantly made scraping that off easier.  stuff was really cheap... might be worth a try.

[MCRider]

I didn't use it for this application but I have used gasket remover spray from autozone on my old head gasket and it was bubbling up and defiantly made scraping that off easier.  stuff was really cheap... might be worth a try.

And I'm wondering, I saw a person removing housepaint on trim with a heat gun. didn't know that would work. Would it work on gaskets or gasket goo? Taking care to not get it too hot.

[ct_racer]

And I'm wondering, I saw a person removing housepaint on trim with a heat gun. didn't know that would work. Would it work on gaskets or gasket goo? Taking care to not get it too hot.

I dont know about heat because I never tried it... but it usually works for everything, I'd just be careful not to hit that ignition point...

[mystic_1]

Sounds like blue RTV silicone to me.  On the bits where you see squeeze-out of the blue stuff, what is it's consistency?  Hard or rubber-like?  If it's rubber-like, than it's probably RTV silicone.  

No good suggestions here aside from careful prying.  Sustained pressure sideways on the bowl may get one side to let go.  Once that happens the rest should release easily.

mystic_1

[mattcb350f]

My bike's PO glued the float bowls on with some type of blue gasket material. I only know the color because it squished out from the seam between the bowl and the carb body.

The only stuff that I know that is blue is permatex "ultra blue" silicone .........which breaks down in Gasoline  

Might have to get creative to get them off, at any rate the bowls will be cheaper than the carb bodies so try to break them instead  

 Matt.

EDIT: mystic beat me too it. Maybe get a big "c" clamp to go between two bowls and try sqeezing them together a bit.

 Matt.

[MCRider]

And I'm wondering, I saw a person removing housepaint on trim with a heat gun. didn't know that would work. Would it work on gaskets or gasket goo? Taking care to not get it too hot.

I dont know about heat because I never tried it... but it usually works for everything, I'd just be careful not to hit that ignition point...

I saw one at Lowes, fully adjustable to 1000 degrees. Start on a low setting and see if goo loosens up. Heck maybe a hair dryer...

Think I'll try it next time I have to...

[Patrick]

I will not ask why removal of the screws didn't occur to you, Squid. I think everyone on the forum, myself included, has had a mindless moment or two (you should see what I did trying to split my DT1 cases - ouch), but yes, I removed the screws.

The stuff oozing out from the seams is rubbery. I don't know if the material pressed between the parts retains this flexibility. Considering the mechanical aptitude this PO has demonstrated so far, I wouldn't be surprised if it did dissolve in gas.

I have a separator. Maybe if I do one bowl against another I can get them to give. That, plus heat - and maybe some mystical chanting - might work. I'll give it a try.

[fuzzybutt]

put the carbs in a pot of boiling water for a few, that ought to work.

[Patrick]

Answer: heat and a rubber hammer.

[MCRider]

Answer: heat and a rubber hammer.

Great! How did you administer the heat?

[Patrick]

My wife's hair dryer. Please don't tell her.....

It didn't take much heat. I pounded them with no effect without heat and then they came off fairly easily when I got the bowls hot.

[MCRider]

My wife's hair dryer. Please don't tell her.....

It didn't take much heat. I pounded them with no effect without heat and then they came off fairly easily when I got the bowls hot.

When my wife bought a new one for herself, I grabbed the old one for the shop. But I used it for thawing ice off of storm doors and the like, never for what you did.

But if a heat gun can take layers of paint off old trim, I'll bet a hairdryer can help with like what you just did, old gasket material etc.

Carry on!