getting diaphrams back in

[chiz]

Good day all...l I removed the slides and diaphragm's out of two sets of triple mikuni carbs and stored them in plastic bags
They wont go back in because I guess they have shrunk, tried what worked for me before but to no avail tried some heat from a blow drier etc. Anyone have any special tricks out there??
  I will go as far as slowly working my way around the diaphragm with contact cement but this is a last resort.
    Trying to get them home with the abcense of springs and after a week or two undo one at a time and put the spring in.
   Thanks Chiz

[movenon]

No cement.... please.... Are you concerned because they will not stay in the groove when you are reassemble?  What I have done in the past is take some ATF assembly lube (looks like plain Vaseline) and put some in the grove and on the lip, lightly take my finger and run around the rubber, seating it.  After a bit of time mine seat and stay in position.  Note the timing or positioning tab on the rubber seal to properly index the slides.

Also as a note I take the caps and some 400/600 grit wet or dry and lap the cap flange on a flat surface. If the cap screws have been over torqued they can get deformed a little.  During a complete carb rebuild I do the same with the carb body on the top side.  Triva.

George     Oh, did I mention no glue.....?

[racerrad8]

Chiz,

This is common to happen as the fuel attacks the rubber and when they are left out the fuel evaporates and they shrink. You can soak them in some fuel and that will usually soften the rubber.

I also heat them and then stretch them before attempting an install. You will find you are able to stretch one way pretty easily but find 90* of that is wont stretch much at all. That is the fabric weave not allowing the stretch, don't pull too hard as they will tear.

The other thing I have done in the past, was a cut the center out of a cap so I could reach through and push the rubber into place while I was holding downward pressure on the rest of the diaphragm in the groove.

Take your time and you should be successful.

Randy - RPM

[chiz]

Wont stay in the groove? how bout 4/5 of the thing doesn't come close to the groove, I  seriously doubt if the lube will work on these infuriating little buggers. I will try all your suggestions but I'm still keeping glue as a weapon if nothing else works.
Chiz

[movenon]

Wont stay in the groove? how bout 4/5 of the thing doesn't come close to the groove, I  seriously doubt if the lube will work on these infuriating little buggers. I will try all your suggestions but I'm still keeping glue as a weapon if nothing else works.
Chiz

If you glue them you will be beyond very sorry.....    This isn't the last time you will be into those carbs.  Those diaphragms are very expensive to replace and will be even more expensive in the future.

You could also coat them with Vaseline and let them sit for a few days to soften them up. Take your time.  Sounds like they are just dried out.
George

[chiz]

OK Guys the soaking in solvent is doing the trick a little premix, barbecue lighter fluid, and diesel treat.
Chiz