dtorc4

I've been out there for 30 minutes trying to get my MAF-TB accordion onto my BBK 52mm TB, but the darn opening is just too small for the TB. What can I do? I was thinking about cutting a slit at the end, spreading it apart a little bit, then putting some electrical tape behind it so that air isn't leaked into the tube.

Any other suggestions?

TA

I'd try to somehow heat up the end of the accordian a bit then it should give some and you might be able to stretch it into place. Possibly a heat gun or something similar if you have access to one.

MacA1979

This is only a suggestion. Never done it myself. Try warming the tube up with a hair dryer and see if it can then flex enough to push on the TB.

Good luck!! :thumbs:

MacA1979

Darn...TA beat me to it. :smash: Great minds think alike!!!

Mark :cool:

jackdaroofer

You aren't the first to have this problem with the larger TBI, though you are the first to post in quite a while.

Sorry I can't remember other's solutions :rolleyes:

I would try a little liguid soap, similar to what you do trying to fit a new hose over a nipple.

I don't like the idea of cutting

Perhaps omeone with a better solution will come along

:seeya

scorp508

Hairdryer.

dtorc4

I've never seen a post about this before, that's why I had to ask.

I did try smearing a very light coat of oil around the inside of the tube and the outside of the TB, but that just made it slip off easier.

I'll try the hairdryer method.

Thanks guys! :cheers:

65Z01

The fault is not with the accordian tube but rather with the p-poor casting that BBK uses for those TBs. Take a close look at the opening and you will see where there is way too much excess metal around the outside of the opening, which makes the tube nearly impossible to slide on.

This is whyI so strongly recommend the AS&M TB instead of the BBK; the AS&M unit is a precision piece compared with the hack job done by BBK.

Some have had success by heating and stretching the tube but my method was to machine the outside of the BBK TB front end till it was small enough to allow the tube to slip over. I used a medium file to rough it out and a Dremel to sand to final shape. Finally I applied a little motor oil to the inside edge of the tube and worked it over the machined TB opening.

Good luck with it.

BAM92

I just bought the Holley, but in a 58. BBK are known for this problem. The Holley cost me 380 from Jegs and is beautiful polished billet. I would have my stock one bored out by DKouldos before buying a BBK in a 52mm. Cheaper and you know it fits.

JAKE

I posted about this the other day on the Thirdgen forum; sorry I forgot to post it here.

I had the exact same problem when I installed my BBK 52 mm TB a few weeks ago.

I tried soaking the bellows in boiling water, then using WD-40, but didn't work.
Being single, I don't have a hair dryer.
I ended up using my Makita high speed grinder on the TB to decrease the OD. My bellows went on after that.

Just be sure to plug the TB butterflies and the MAF so no aluminum chips get in if you decide to do the same thing with the TB mounted.

Hope this helps.

Jake

dtorc4

I got it!!! :party: :party:

It's too cold outside for the hairdryer to heat the outgoing air to sufficiently heat the TB, soooo...

I used my handy dandy propane torch. :mad :mad :mad

After about 4 tries it went on nice and tight... but I damn near melted the tube. Well, maybe not melted, but it did smoke a few times. :skep:

Thanks for the help everyone. :cheers: :thumbs:

Dark-Knight

Glad to hear you got it solved, cutting and tapeing was not a good idea.

vinnies87

:thumbs: :thumbs: This is when you need a heated garage...

JAKE

LOL LOL

Jake

hngacurv

Good to hear you got it on. I had to heat mine to get it to fit, too.