i can't force the carb back into the engine manifold i'm by myself i tried spraying the manifolds down with wd40 and letting it sit, but i just can't seat them. any ideas?
Yeah it is not easy particually if the manifold intakes are old and hard.
I find it easier to leave the intakes attached to the manifold and insert the carbs in to the intakes. But either way works.
Each intake is numbered. Intake '1' and '4' are identical, as are the other two. So you will have two intakes marked '1' and '4' and two intakes marked '2' and '3'. Make sure the correct number is facing straight up. i.e. '1' is on the far left pointing up, etc.
I insert the carb barrel into intake '1' then work my way across to number four, so that the lip of the barrells is inserted into the intake. Then they are all part way into the intake then they are all lined up and ready for a good push. Find some way to restrain the bike and push by hand. I place oil rag over the barrels to stop them digging into my hands, but I'm soft. Give it a riggle up and down, make sure the clamps are would all the way out ...
Yeah, it's definitely easier with the rubber boots on the engine instead of the carbs. I had luck straddling the bike and pushing on the #1 & #4 carbs, rocking them up and down a bit. Be careful though, because you could very easily inadvertently push the bike off it's center stand. Chock the front wheel if you can.
warmingthe rubbers in hot water may soften them up as well. Problem comes in when the 1-4 are angled and if that angle is off, well you already know how hard they are!
The ride IS the adventure. The destination is just to get gas!
I have success with using a piece of 4x4 about 3 feet long .After carbs are started into rubber sockets good wedge the 4x4 against the frame at the rear of the engine on the right side and use the leverage against the carbon the left side ---then you can swap sides ----IT'S STILL TOUGH----GOOD LUCK