52 Merc Gas Tank

[rotorwrench]

Even the synthetic rubber elastomers break down with exposure to the ozone in the air. Fuel doesn't help them either. Relatively new rubber that is kept in air tight packaging will last a long time on the shelf. The best place for old hard rubber is in the file 13.

I worked at a boat window manufacturing facility while I was going to A&P school. They kept their window rubber in a hot room that was kept at 110 degrees F at all times. We would go in and get a roll of the rubber needed and use it till it cooled down after about an hour. We would then go back to the hot room and exchange it for another hot roll of rubber. It made it a lot easier to force into the channel around the glass. Sometimes we could use up a roll before it cooled off. I know I installed a lot of windows in my time there.