TOPIC:

It's the type of rubber they use that causes the hardness. Between gas being frequently sitting on the rubber and heat from the engine and ultraviolet rays from the sun, they get hard over time. I don't believe there is any real "fix" other than the short term stuff already mentioned for installation. They will be hard again shortly. The thing that gets me is you'd think they would get hard kind of in the contour of the carbs they live on, but NO they get hard and refuse to mount correctly. One of the many reasons I hate the pieces of crap.

well I have used Trans-medic seal reconditioner. It will take a little time to do it .. put the gunk in a clean metal paint can and place the rubber down in it, and check it in about thirty mins or so.. with a little bit of metal screen to keep it where ya want it.
When it sofens up a bit. dry it off and cover it with silicon spray.

Leather: Trans medic is one of those magic additives for auto transmissions that comes in a can, correct?

yeppers..

yeppers..

Thanks for the input humans!

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Thanks for that JMK. It's not totally paid for yet, but if I live till spring the 1000 will reside in my garage and the "gettin it runnin" will commence.