More Bravo Impeller Info

[alldodge]

Temps up to 54 so decided to turn my self into a pretzel and replace the water pump housing with the Hardin SS along with the impeller. The impeller has been installed for two seasons (spring 2014 to 1-1-2017). Note the first pick shows the impeller has a heavy set to the blades.

1030 AM


Pic 2


At 230PM the impeller was about the same, not much change.
Brought the impeller in the house and after about an hour at 70 degrees the blades started straightening out some. I do think they will straighten a bit more but not much.



I was really hoping there were good signs of being able to leave the impeller in for 3 seasons, but for me I'm sticking with every other year. Need to get the grandson trained up to change these things out. Don't know how much more I can do this without getting something that won't straighten back out on this old body

 

[thumpar]

I am surprised the set came out as far as it did so far. Is there any sign of starting to crack?

 

[alldodge]

The three that were really squished show some signs at the bottom

 

[wrvond]

Seems to be rather hit and miss to me. This one is four seasons old, and the one in my Alpha 1 Gen 2 has been in since 2002.

 

[alldodge]

Wish mine looked like this

How long has it been out?
Mine is genuine Merc and was manufactured the year prior to install (made sure of it)

 

[wrvond]

It's been out about a month, but looked like this just a couple hours after removal.
I don't want to push my luck, so I have a new Sierra impeller to install come spring. We'll see how that holds up.

Here's what it looked like as soon as I got it out. You can see it's still wet...
http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/...5-20EC-4EE9-A7F8-74782370D859_zpsefbwfxos.jpg

 

[wrench 3]

Any signs of cracking and I'd toss it.
You should be able to get your grandson to do the job. It's not that technical.
My daughter was doing that sort of work when she was 12. My son wasn't as mechanically inclined. He used to get his sister to fix his car.:doh:

 

[alldodge]

After sitting all night mine looks like yours. It wouldn't be that hard to change if the wire let me keep the Gen out. Never use the thing and it would allow we to sit in front of the motor. If I ever pull the motor again it's coming out.

None of my kids and grand kids have a good mechanical aptitude. They do ok and some better then others, but none show what I did growing up. Figure if I get the grandson to do it, I'll still need to check his work.

I'm very slightly concerned with the Hardin Marine pump design. It uses a SS plate which is laid against the rear before the impeller goes in. Just as the one in the front its a wear plate and that part is ok. The part which causes me to think, is the rear plate covers part of the inlet and outlet ports. The water is only allowed to go in/out thru the slots in the sides. Also noticed the center side slots are not perfectly round, has a slight hump

 

[wrvond]

Is the Hardin OEM?
​I lay on the deck and hang the upper half of my body into the engine compartment to take the impeller pump apart, so I feel your pain!

 

[thumpar]

Is the Hardin OEM?
​I lay on the deck and hang the upper half of my body into the engine compartment to take the impeller pump apart, so I feel your pain!

Hardin is a stainless pump housing that is supposed to last a lifetime. I have been wanting to do a Hardin housing and Globe impeller at my next change.

 

[wrvond]

Hardin is a stainless pump housing that is supposed to last a lifetime. I have been wanting to do a Hardin housing and Globe impeller at my next change.

I thought about the Globe myself. In the end there were just too many negative reviews for me.

 

[alldodge]

Since I to have to hang upside down the Hardin pump will also cause another unseen issue. The pump is heavier so getting it in place will take more mussel. I also found that my old suction hose is having a hard time getting all the way on. The pumps fittings (cost $25 each) have a thin edge and grabs to ridge in the hose. Tried for sometime to get the hose on and I could not get the hose all the way flush.

I currently have the starboard exhaust manifold off due to replacing the starter. With the manifold off I'm able to squeeze in beside the motor so I can grab hold of the hose better. I was able to push harder then if hanging up side down. Decided to take the other end of the hose off the transom assembly and ordered a new piece of hose.

If you look at the Hardin and the Merc composite pump the edges are different. The Mec is a smooth tapper up to the edge, the Hardin is blunt with another ridge. Since my hose is over 20 years old I hope replacing it will eliminate the issue for some time. If it comes back I may have to go back to the Merc pump.

 

[Mischief Managed]

I replaced my suction hose last year. My advice is don't order the factory suction hose, it's much cheaper by buy it by the foot at a local marine store. That said, I doubt the new hose will help much with your issue. You may have better luck using a heat gun to warm the hose up and dish detergent as lube.

 

[alldodge]

I did order it by the foot. Inside the old hose were previous ridges which I think is what it was catching on. Hope I don't need a heat gun and but will try the soap

 

[wrvond]

Dreading it, but I think I'm going to be replacing several hoses - next winter.
Alldodge, have you had the Hardin pump on long? I really haven't had any issue with the OEM pump, so hadn't considered changing it. What benefits have you seen using it? Have you considered the Globe impeller with it?

 

[alldodge]

Just bought the pump and have not had any issues with the Merc ones. They last 5 years or so before I see to many scratches in the back of the pump. Have had only one crack on me, and it was only an edge crack inside. The benefit is it should last forever and you can put more torque on the bolts (not that you need to) and the housing won't crack like the Merc.

Many have used the Globe impeller but have never heard of them lasting much longer in the Bravo application. They seem to last much longer in the Alpha drive

 

[jmarines]

Oh alldodge... I don't know how you do it but you must be a human pretzel. Last time I installed the impeller it took me all day to reinstall it.. had to remove the entire pump off the motor. Wish these boats would make it more maintance friendly when it comes to the impeller pump.

 

[alldodge]

I hear ya, and it takes much groaning afterwards and beer to recoup

 

[wrvond]

I tend to slide forward and end up with my head in the bilge. Probably has something to do with having a ball bearing for a belly. :grey: