Re-Assembling VM 26 Carbs. ???

Got my rebuild kits from Z1 Ent. with new starter plunger collars and rubber dust caps. When you guys re-assemble your carbs., do you use any assembly oil or lubricant when threading the new jets or starter plungers into the casting of the carb. body? All the dis-assembled carbs. have been thoroughly cleaned but thought when installing any rubber o-rings or jets, it would make assembly easier.

I use some dow corning stuff I get from my neighbor on all o-rings and rubber sealing parts. I thought it said air gasket on the label but I can't find it online. I'll have to run by there tomorrow and see what it is again. The stuff that seems to be the closest I can find online is called Dow Corning 111, but I'm not sure if that's the same stuff, tube looks the same. I seem to remember something about it being high temp on the label also.

It's a very thick translucent white stuff and it works great. I used it on the carb bowl gaskets on my Honda VF700, they are o-ring type. Everyone says they ALWAYS leak when you first put them together until the gasket swells up. Mine never leaked when I used that stuff. Second time I didn't use it and sure enough they leaked for a few hours.

As for the jets.....when I'm cleaning carbs I put the cleaned jets in small baggies and spray wd-40 in there with them. Just to keep them from corroding before I reassemble, not to lubricate them. I spray the inside of the bowls and carb bodies also, just because its so darn humid here that stuff will corrode or rust instantly if you do nothing after using carb cleaner. I know the anti - WD-40 crowd will have their say but it works for me.

Dow Product 111 is a VERY thick silicone paste. I use it for certain applications like weather sealing on a convertible. Here's the description on the box and a pic of the stuff as it comes out of the tube. Ed

Interesting stiff Ed, but I don't think I would use it my situation.

I'm more concerned with the fuel parts that SCREW into the carb. body like jets, float valve seat, choke plunger, etc. Do I apply a little lubricant to these parts?

Also, the paper top chamber gasket and bottom float bowl gasket that comes with this rebuild kit, do you use any sealant there?

Carb gaskets go on dry and and jets and anything that screws in gets no lubricant (no dirty comments please)...any item that is in contact with fuel, re-assembles with no lubricant.

Okay Mcdroid, Just wanted to make sure before I put everything back to ether again.

Mcdroid wrote: Carb gaskets go on dry and and jets and anything that screws in gets no lubricant (no dirty comments please)...any item that is in contact with fuel, re-assembles with no lubricant.

+1 Ed

kzdcw wrote: Got my rebuild kits from Z1 Ent. with new starter plunger collars and rubber dust caps.

I've looked on Z1E and cannot find kits that have the starter plunger collars and rubber dust caps? Do you have a link or P/N for them?

Also....the little T shaped joints where the fuel goes into the carbs started leaking on mine after I had the carbs off the bike a few times. You might consider replacing them with the aluminum ones from Z1E. I know they're kinda pricey but you wont have to worry about it again.

www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?i...minum&item=ZSM46-002

Z1 Ent. Choke Collars ZSM073-014
Choke Plunger Caps 16039-015

Hope that helps !

Thanks, I didn't know the little plunger caps were available. I didn't really hunt them hard because mine are ok, but next time I make an order I'll order a set to squirrel away.

It is Dow Corning 111 that my neighbor gave me. He just squeezed some out into a baggie, that's why I wasn't sure what it was. I use it on pretty much every o-ring I put on anything now. Just a little, and pretty much wipe it all off. It seems to help the o-rings seat better and not get twisted or kinked.

I used it on the bowl and top cover gaskets on my VM26SS carbs also. May not need it but it's so thick it has sealing properties and also keeps the paper from sticking next time you take them apart. I reused the original gaskets. Worked for me, no leaks.....but....as they say YMMV.

If you bought carb kits, you might be better off staying with the original float needles and seats, same for the jets. I've read many many times that the OEM stuff is better than what comes in the kits.