I've had terrible luck with aftermarket manifolds, going all the way back to the RD's first crossover tube set I bought. So, with the GT under the knife again, I decided I had enough and hit up eBay for a chance at some NOS intake manifolds. But, the price for only two of three I'd need really made me irrationally angry (https://www.ebay.com/itm/196276969336?_trksid=p4375194.c101959.m146925). Instead, I ended up with an entire set of eBay for $25 shipped to me. I looked at the pictures to make sure no visible cracks could be seen, and they looked ok. Of course, when they showed up, they were as hard as a rock. I mean, I could barely squeeze and distort them with two hands.
I know some folks have gathered together ideas, namely; heat guns, boiling them in water, acetone, etc. But, never really got that far past installing them one time as the carb rubbers would return to normal hardness shortly after. I was led down a path that seemed more voodoo and whataboutism than anything of use, but I figured it was worth a try. The answer is:
- Rubber Renue
or a combination homebrew of
- 90% (or greater) pure alcohol, and pure wintergreen oil (3-1 ratio alcohol to oil).
Warning: Don't blow yourself up, or breath in the vapors, or do this inside a garage and wonder why you're getting a headache with a wintery smell :haw:. Rubber Renue has xylene and other solvents in it.
STEPS I USED:
1. Drop the rubber parts in a large enough plastic bag with a seal on it (Glad gallon bag, or whatever fits your part best. Use two if you need to.)
2. Cover the parts in the baggy with Rubber Renue (or your homebrew).
3. Leave it sit and hope for the best over a week or so.
or
Stick it in a pot of water just under boiling temp (150-180F) or your ultrasonic cleaner with the temp cranked up.
4. If you cook them in the ultrasonic then do so for 30-minute intervals or less and check them.
NOTE: Some rubber parts will distort and grow huge. But, in the carb rubbers case, they only expanded a small amount and after 24 hours of sitting, they returned to normal and I'm left with ultra flexible wintergreen-smelling intake manifolds.
I've been using this homebrew solution (Isopropyl alcohol & Methyl Salicylate) for a couple years. Makes your garage smell like Ben Gay for a while but it works on softening up old hardened rubber bits. I haven't used heat but left them soaking in a glass jar with a screw on top for 5-7 days.
i once left half a dozen gt185/gt250a manifold rubbers soaking in wintergreen etc and forgot all about them - for about 6 months. wonder what's in this tub? oh yes, carb rubbers and they were lovely and soft. i quite like the smell too :Clown:
cheers, gil.
p.s. they were still very useable.
I'm goingvtongave ro tey this on a few spare intakes I have. I've always been skeptical but def worth a try. thanks for sharing
Kinda like roof max for your roof. I'm not buying it. Buy new ones and love them right away.
Quote from: Washerman on November 08, 2024, 08:14:06 PMKinda like roof max for your roof. I'm not buying it. Buy new ones and love them right away.
For obscure vehicles, the parts simply are not available. Making new or restoring old ones is all there is.
i know that some reproductions fail quickly this was one of those cases 0.02