How to soften rubber?

aardvark · Post by **aardvark** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:33 pm

How can I get the rubber inlet on this manifold to fit over this outlet on the carby??

They are practically the same diameter. I tried soaking the rubber in acetone for 15 minutes, but that didn't work. Maybe soak it overnight?

Any other suggestions??

Post by **Wattie** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:39 pm

hot water!! sit it on hot water

Ratmick · Post by **Ratmick** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:45 pm

aardvark wrote:How can I get the rubber inlet on this manifold to fit over this outlet on the carby??

They are practically the same diameter. I tried soaking the rubber in acetone for 15 minutes, but that didn't work. Maybe soak it overnight?

Any other suggestions??

I'd be careful what you use on rubber as most solvents (like acetone) will make it brittle by removing the natural oils.

I have some blunt plastic tyre levers for my mountain bike that would work. Hook one edge over, hold it there and move around the perimeter with the other.

What about dishwashing detergent on the inside? If it's removable, what about coating it with said dishwashing detergent and pushing it up over an increasing-radius conical surface, like the outside of a coke/soft drink bottle neck, or a funnel. Leave it there to stretch a while and quickly transfer it to the carby.

None of these may work, but at least I answered

.

Last minute edit> Try filling the bottle with really hot water.

Strika · Post by **Strika** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:51 pm

Cut out a slice of the side of an ice-cream container and wrap it around the outside of the Carb, making it taper down a little. Then slide the rubber boot over the ice cream container slice. Sort of like a shoe horn for your rubber boots!!!! It works I use this method when things like that get stuck. HTH

Smitty · Post by **Smitty** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 9:03 pm

Jase....

rubber grease!
specially made NOT to affect the rubber (unlike everything else)
but makes it very slippery
wipe a smear on the edge and inside the rubber inlet
should just slide on

handy for caliper seals and anywhere you have to slide rubber
I keep a little tube in the toolbox
get it at repco or Bursons..$10 or so

hth

cheers

Neka79 · Post by **Neka79** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 10:12 pm

im a tight ass so id go with the heating it up option..but will soaking it in hot water cause it to dry, harden & crack??

dont wanna ruin it...

ttc · Post by **ttc** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 10:13 pm

I'd listen to Neka.. I reckon he'd be the expert on rubber

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 10:47 pm

Rubber grease works well, but vaseline works better. Hot water will soften it to an extent, but it's only the heat - may as well use a hairdrier.

Neka79 · Post by **Neka79** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:21 pm

tanyathecheeky wrote:I'd listen to Neka.. I reckon he'd be the expert on rubber

yea i kno all abt repairing it tanya..i kno abt destroying it too....uve seen the pics??

ur one of the ppl i thought woulda jumped up and down abt my antics...

Nanna10r · Post by **Nanna10r** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:37 pm

Kev & I used an oxy and a piece of oversized pipe to stretch mine for the fzzzzr. Heat, place over pipe & bash with a piece of wood. It cut a new recess in the hardened rubber boots. Not pretty but it worked.
I'd try the rubber grease & ice cream tickler first though Jas.
Cheers Brett

Jonno · Post by **Jonno** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:52 pm

Rusty wrote:Rubber grease works well, but Vaseline works better. Hot water will soften it to an extent, but it's only the heat - may as well use a hairdrier.

Vase is a petroleum product and is never recommended for rubber, silicon rubber grease is the ultimate for rubber or rubber based products and "o"rings and seals and is used in the hydraulic world almost exclusively, maybe a bit of KY gel if ya got some..

Anyway just enough to get it on as the excess will be squeezed to the inside and will be sucked / washed down to the cylinders but should not be an issue.

My experience and my opinion

varden · Post by **varden** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 12:31 am

compressed air, the way you'd use it to fit new handgrips to your bars.

mrmina · Post by **mrmina** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:46 am

heat gun it

Gosling1 · Post by **Gosling1** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 4:54 pm

*someone* is trying to fit a bigger carby to a small-ish manifold.....

thats why the inlet/outlet is the same size heh matey ??

Rubber grease is the go, but the whole arrangement will only be temporary anyway, as the bigger carby will quickly stretch the rubber manifold and it will split/crack/suck in heaps of air and KRUNCHA.......piston seizure.....

you would be better off sourcing a larger inlet manifold, that fits over the carbie outlet *properly*, then modify the manifold to suit the barrel.....re-drill the mounting holes, use an adapter plate, whatever......it will be cheaper in the long run than replacing pistons.......

Post by **Wattie** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 4:59 pm

Gosling1 wrote:*someone* is trying to fit a bigger carby to a small-ish manifold..... thats why the inlet/outlet is the same size heh matey ??

Rubber grease is the go, but the whole arrangement will only be temporary anyway, as the bigger carby will quickly stretch the rubber manifold and it will split/crack/suck in heaps of air and KRUNCHA.......piston seizure.....

you would be better off sourcing a larger inlet manifold, that fits over the carbie outlet *properly*, then modify the manifold to suit the barrel.....re-drill the mounting holes, use an adapter plate, whatever......it will be cheaper in the long run than replacing pistons.......

Jesus Has spoken...

detective Gos is on the case
i wont dispute this as i dont know what size they normally are...

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How to soften rubber?

How to soften rubber?

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