Intake Manifold Sealant ???

Finished setting the Float Levels on my VM26 carbs. for my 77' KZ1000A. The stock intake manifold look pretty good without any noticeable cracks. Cleaned up real well and rubber appears to be somewhat pliable.

When installing the manifolds, do you guys smear a little light coat of sealant behind them to help seal?

I don't if there new but have used ultra black on older ones

Peter, Well they're 37 years old ( I 'm sure original ). I have the Permatex Ultra Black on hand. I tried installing the Carbs. to see how they would fit to the manifolds. Couldn't get the Carbs. to seat fully inside the manifolds. Any tips? Didn't make too big of an attempt to get them seated, but can see it will take a little effort.

some people soak the old rubber parts in very hot water to soften them up.

If they're the old original carb holders I would replace them. Sealing them is a temporary solution (at best). They develop very fine cracks on the surface of the face that mates against the cylinder head. Sometimes these cracks can be seen only through a magnifying glass, but air will still leak through them. Ed

The carbs will be a little bit of a chore seating, that contributes to leakproof.
Prybar made from a 2x4 x length to suit what can be pried against and move the carbs forward :ohmy:
"Gentle persuasion" on a shorter 2x4 with progressively bigger hammers

Sounds like the cracks develop exactly where the sealant goes :woohoo:
I'd use sealant with brand new ones :whistle:
If you wouldn't describe them as deteriorated, I'd use them

My originals were 28 years old when I replaced them. I put the new ones on dry. No leaks since - it's been 9 years. I figure if I replace them once every 28 years it's not such a big deal. :laugh: Ed

I use silicone spray on the carb flange and slide em on

You can use sealant just not silicone use something like Yamabond #4 or Hondabond, ect.. I had a very old set of manifolds with small cracks all over them that I repaired by covering the outside with Shoe Goo and then used Yamabond on the mating surface. I did this over 20 years ago, I was broke at the time and figured why not. Those manifolds are still on the 650 today and are still leak free.