Need some help putting carbs back on.

Hey, I can't seem to get the carbs back on the engine. As most can guess, it's those damn rubber intake boots.
Anyone know any tricks to get them on?
Thanks.

 

heat them up with a heat gun and make them "soft" again...or put a little bit of oil on the rim of them....make sure you have them on correctly..there are arrows on the boots to show you the "way"

 

http://vfrworld.com/forums/mechanics-garage/22449-cleaning-carbs.html#post170054

Here is a link, shitty pics I know but did my best. Install the front and tilt the rear boots off the head to match the carbs half way and push on.

 

Since you have them off, replace the boots. New ones allow for much easier installation and for the $40 it saves having to pull them again when one of the old ones develops a crack.

 

Yeah, I just ordered new boots. The old ones are developing cracks and just too hard to work with.
Thanks for the help!

 

Lube helps alot....i use brake fluid cuz it's slippery and won't degrade rubber.

slip the boots half-on/ half-off the cylinder heads, and angle them closest to aligning with the carbs.......then PUSH and pray.

 

that's funny because that is exactly what honda tells you to use..the problem isn't the oil, it's the age of the material, the heat, and air pollution. Those rubbers are specifically designed to be in contact with petroleum products...i'm guessing that the gas vapors that flow through them is bad too???????

 

+1
The hardest part is trying to get said carb installer to replace the damn boots!A snap with new.:thumbsup:

 

had to do this on the 82 Magna more times than I wanna admit. Plumbers Silicone grease. On the expensive side but it conditions the rubber and makes them more flexible and slick as snot.

 

I spray the boots with WD-40. I sit on the bike, work the front carbs in first, then using the air cleaner base - press down on the rear carbs until they pop in. This seems to work well for me. I can get them in just a few minutes.

 

All the v-4's are a bitch to place the carbs back on. The first time I took them odd the 82 V45 i sent 16 springs flying accross the shop!

 

Tink, I am in no way busting your chops....all I ask is that you try to mount a 25 year old tire on a rim and then try to mount a 6month old tire, on the same rim. A small amount of oil will not harm the carb boots....most crankcase breathers that I see are vented into the airbox.....Honda even instructs the use of oil in it's manuals, hell, you can use KY for all I care.

 

you make a great point, if it makes you feel a little better, then rock on, my friend!

 

KY jelly...its not just for parties anymore..... I got the oil thing straight from my manual...that being said...... use whatever you fell "lubes the best...I personally , if I had the money , would have gone with new boots..... but I had two sets I boiled one set and put a light coat of oil on it and the carbs slipped right on.....

Oh on another note... Too the OP don't bang on the carbs as you are trying to get them to go on pushing and a small amount of prying is all they need... mallet + carbs= broken carbs....This I know from experience....