Topic: Stiff carb rubber boots

[gary p.]

I ordered carb air box rubber boots and carb holder set, expecting them to be somewhat flexible, as my old ones are hardened and probably beyond reuse.
The new ones are surprisingly stiff and difficult to bend.    I’m afraid they will make it a challenge to mount the carbs.
The last time I had the carbs off was in the 70s.   I think the original rubber boots were more pliable.

Am I remembering wrong?    Should the new boots be somewhat pliable?

[rb550four]

  Yes. I run a hair dryer on them before removing them when everything is together to remove them easier. Heat them up again when applying them to the manifolds , then heating them all up before and when I push the rack of carbs back on . Hair dryer only ,not a heat gun they are too hot.

[BenelliSEI]

If you set everything up and move quickly, I also find boiling them for heat works great. I have a large kettle in my shop. I hang them inside on bits of wire. Boiling for a few minutes gets them up over 200 degrees, but not too hot. They are also heated right through. If you are quick, carbs just pop on...

[Prospect]

If you set everything up and move quickly, I also find boiling them for heat works great. I have a large kettle in my shop. I hang them inside on bits of wire. Boiling for a few minutes gets them up over 200 degrees, but not too hot. They are also heated right through. If you are quick, carbs just pop on...

That's a great trick. I'll have to try it next time.  I find getting them off the motor can be a challenge too. 

[gary p.]

If you set everything up and move quickly, I also find boiling them for heat works great. I have a large kettle in my shop. I hang them inside on bits of wire. Boiling for a few minutes gets them up over 200 degrees, but not too hot. They are also heated right through. If you are quick, carbs just pop on...

Great idea, thanks for that.

Prospect, your going to need a larger kettle...

gp

[BenelliSEI]

Taking them off is definitely option2: heat gun......

[ekpent]

 Old hard 750 rubber manifolds can take quite a bit of heat from a gun and get somewhat pliable without damage but not sure on aftermarket possible Chinese rubber. Have quite a few 750's and have never replaced the manifolds but have upgraded the clamps.

[lash]

I used a Sawzall once...carbs came off pretty easy!

[ekpent]

I used a Sawzall once...carbs came off pretty easy!

That will get'er done   

[BenelliSEI]

Dwayne...... I laughed even harder when I saw that was the “scrapper you have to take” you got from my barn! Still chuckling......

[lash]

Little different now..

[BenelliSEI]

Looking fine! I like that silver combo!

[lash]

Im going to ride it over if it warms up again after this week..