Topic: square peg in a round hole..I need help!

[toytuff]

Can anyone tell me the secret of installing float bowl gaskets that are way to big? 

The gasket kit is the right part number. I had these on then had to remove the bowls. Now they seem way to large. The gaskets are not flattened but now they are way off. 

I know, it does sound crazy. What am I missing? Bourbon perhaps?

tt

[Stev-o]

Looks like the wrong part? Did it come as part of a kit?

[78 k550]

Dab a little vaseline/petrolatum  in each corner.

Paul

[grcamna2]

Johnnie,
               Glue 'em in w/ a little gasket cement...mine were the same;I just ran the gasket all the way to the extreme outside of the groove and when I installed them they sealed excellent.The old ones are shrunk & in the shape of the bowl groove from sitting in there so long;the new ones are always round.

[Gordon]

Using gasket sealer is a gamble.  Anything silicone based will expand a lot when in contact with gasoline, then little bits of it will fall off inside the bowl and can easily clog up the jets.  Use something like grease or petroleum jelly like Paul suggested and you won't have to worry about that. 

[Doum]

A small shot of krazy glue in each corner

[trueblue]

Using gasket sealer is a gamble.  Anything silicone based will expand a lot when in contact with gasoline, then little bits of it will fall off inside the bowl and can easily clog up the jets.  Use something like grease or petroleum jelly like Paul suggested and you won't have to worry about that. 

Permatex Aviation gasket sealer should be fine to use and will hold the gaskets in place quite well

[KB02]

I use something like this:


It helps to hold it in place. Spray each side, give it a minute to set up and then it should be good and tacky enough to hold to the grove. Available in just about any auto parts store.

[grcamna2]

        I use very small dabs of Permatex "Form-a gasket" in a tube & there are 2 types;the non hardening that stays pliable & the hardening type...you choose.

[heffay]

Don't use sealer, if Mr. Honda didn't use it you don't need to either.

Here's what I've done with repeated success.

use little pieces of tape, I prefer blue painters tape as it doesn't stick too much, tape over about 1/2 the gasket, just enough to hold it in the channel, do this all around the bowl.  put the bottom part of the bowl on w/out screws and gently pull the tape out.  you'll have to keep the tension on the bowl surfaces just right to allow for pulling out the tape, but it works like a charm!  then put your bowl screws in and voila.

[toytuff]

Thanks to all for the tips and not what/what to use. Great ideas abound here. 

I need to take a break for the weekend. I have removed/installed the bowls 5 or 6 times while the carburetor is on the bike, mostly from not thinking things through. My bad. No one else. Triple work also. 

Here is what I found.

Left side primary jet plugged with old fuel. Fixed.
Replaced all seals/o rings. No directions. You guess.
Cleaned all jets.
Both left and right idle jets plugged solid. Fixed. Idles well now.

Now, the right float or float valve does not close dripping out bottom of float (drain tube). To much fuel in bowl. Funny thing is I didn't touch them. Float valve appears to work as intended.

Thinking now the float needs adjusted but I wouldn't know why. Like I said. Never touched them.  I have a spare carburetor for parts so I'll adjust the spare float. Need to keep original float at it's setting for reference.

More than likely I need to order new float needles but hoping not.

The "G" was moving right along. PIA now. 

tt

[Steve_K]

I have used grease to hold the oring in place.  Works for me, but the suggestions already listed looks reasonable, too.
Steve

[trueblue]

Thanks to all for the tips and not what/what to use. Great ideas abound here. 

I need to take a break for the weekend. I have removed/installed the bowls 5 or 6 times while the carburetor is on the bike, mostly from not thinking things through. My bad. No one else. Triple work also. 

Here is what I found.

Left side primary jet plugged with old fuel. Fixed.
Replaced all seals/o rings. No directions. You guess.
Cleaned all jets.
Both left and right idle jets plugged solid. Fixed. Idles well now.

Now, the right float or float valve does not close dripping out bottom of float (drain tube). To much fuel in bowl. Funny thing is I didn't touch them. Float valve appears to work as intended.

Thinking now the float needs adjusted but I wouldn't know why. Like I said. Never touched them.  I have a spare carburetor for parts so I'll adjust the spare float. Need to keep original float at it's setting for reference.

More than likely I need to order new float needles but hoping not.

The "G" was moving right along. PIA now. 

tt

With that leaky carb, just give it a tap on the bottom of the float bowl with the handle of a screw driver, the float valve may just need settling back into place. 

[toytuff]

Thanks to all for the tips and not what/what to use. Great ideas abound here. 

I need to take a break for the weekend. I have removed/installed the bowls 5 or 6 times while the carburetor is on the bike, mostly from not thinking things through. My bad. No one else. Triple work also. 

Here is what I found.

Left side primary jet plugged with old fuel. Fixed.
Replaced all seals/o rings. No directions. You guess.
Cleaned all jets.
Both left and right idle jets plugged solid. Fixed. Idles well now.

Now, the right float or float valve does not close dripping out bottom of float (drain tube). To much fuel in bowl. Funny thing is I didn't touch them. Float valve appears to work as intended.

Thinking now the float needs adjusted but I wouldn't know why. Like I said. Never touched them.  I have a spare carburetor for parts so I'll adjust the spare float. Need to keep original float at it's setting for reference.

More than likely I need to order new float needles but hoping not.

The "G" was moving right along. PIA now. 

tt

With that leaky carb, just give it a tap on the bottom of the float bowl with the handle of a screw driver, the float valve may just need settling back into place.

Been there. 

I'll try adjusting float next week. If problem persists than new gasket kit, float needles and into the shop they go.

If any member here does carb work chime in. I love the shop here but three (3) months for the last set is a long time to wait. 

tt

[trueblue]

Hondaman does them here is a link to his site
http://sohc4shop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=47

[Stev-o]

Digger also does carb rebuilding.

[toytuff]

Problem solved. No more leaking. 

tt

[heffay]

tell us what worked for you! 

[toytuff]

tell us what worked for you! 

Well..ok..ok. 

I changed out the float bowl with my spare. It was much cleaner and the gasket was in much better condition.

After swapping out floats, float needle and new O rings the light came on. The brass drain tube that runs inside the float bowl had a hair line crack from top to bottom inside.  Needed a LED flashlight to see it. 

Pretty rare I would think but none the less the root of the problem. Won't forget to look at that next time.

All good now. Thanks everyone for the tips and/or tricks.

tt

[heffay]

Good eye, you'd have been fighting that for a long time had you not seen it!  Well done.

[toytuff]

Good eye, you'd have been fighting that for a long time had you not seen it!  Well done.

 

Just had to think it out. Couple of days but I had a Senior moment is all. Get them all the time. 

tt