85 Big red air box rubber boot seems petrified ! Wont even bend! Help!

[tri guy]

Hello I was able to remove the boot between the carb and the air box but its so damn STIFF I cant even get it back on 1 What do I do ?? Use a hair drier ? Put it in the oven ? Torch ??

[MrConcdid]

Heat it up with a heat gun for about 30 sec. it will slide right on.
MrC.

[floydechoes2000]

I've also used a heat gun with good luck several times.

Wintergreen oil is supposed to work really good at softening them up but I haven't tried it yet.

[kb0nly]

I toss em in a bowl of boiling water, let them soften back up nice, a good 5 minute soak does wonders! Then i wear some gloves cause its gonna be hot and put it back on. Once it cools it will harden back up some, but it will stay a bit more flexible for a while.