58 Evinrude Lark impeller direction

[jrw1295]

In a previous post, I reported that my 58 Lark was not pumping a lot of water, and that the motor was extremely hot. After 2 days of taking the engine apart and putting it back together, my repair buddies, who are actually pretty good, decided that the last thing to do was to flip to new impeller in the opposite direction from what it was. Now, it pumps just fine and the engine is cool. They're still convinced that that impeller is now in backwards. Before the flip, the vanes were flexing to the right when the unit was held in the hand---they made a C-shape open to the right. Now the C-shape is pointing to the left.

Any thoughts on this? What is the correct orientation for the impeller in a 58 Lark? I guess if it's working it must be right, but I still have concerns. Is there anyway the impeller could pump water if it's in backwards.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: 58 Evinrude Lark impeller direction

Well, lets see if I can explain this to ya. If the impeller is sitting on a table , the center hub will rotate clockwise when the motor drive shaft turns. Since the ends of the impeller arms are in contact with the impeller cup, they will be bent backwards (pointing counter clockwise). This makes them appear as a backwards 'C' . While a pump will work with the arms bent the wrong way (somewhat), the best volume of water will be moved when they are pointed in the right direction from the get go.

 

[F_R]

Re: 58 Evinrude Lark impeller direction

If you put it in backwards, they will flip over and be right by themselves.

 

[jeffminskby]

Re: 58 Evinrude Lark impeller direction

I had the same issue on my merc 50 last week. The old tines were pointed counter clockwise so this is how I installed the new one. It pumps faster in reverse but probably has less tear this way since the wear is in forward or clockwise rotation

 

[wilde1j]

Re: 58 Evinrude Lark impeller direction

The impeller never changes direction. Doesn't make any difference whether the gearcase is in fwd, rev or neutral.