Did I Install the Wrong Impeller??? (pic)

[Mercury60]

Hey guys....last season I changed the impeller in my 1986 Mercury 60hp ELPTO, S/N OB126644. That was the first time I had ever changed an impeller but it didn't seem to fit right. It seemed to be too big and I had to bend the fins to make it fit in the water pump housing. Is that normal? It was an extreme PITA to get it to fit in there.

I use this type of impeller:

But I had to bend the fins so it ended up looking more like this once it was installed. This isn't a real pic of the impeller...I'm just trying to get the point across.

Is that normal? Or should it fit kind of loose and barely touch the sides?

 

[turbinedoctor]

Re: Did I Install the Wrong Impeller??? (pic)

If it was that hard to install it was most likely the correct impeller. These can be quite challenging to install at times but with a little luck and a few tricks it can be easier. I use a little grease on the impeller and housing to help lube things up, and then push and turn in the correct direction on the impeller. If that fails I use a hose clamp large enough to go around the impeller to help it conform to the size needed.

All ways make sure you lay the impeller fins the corrcet way, they should be trailing the direction of rotation.

Durwood

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Did I Install the Wrong Impeller??? (pic)

Perfectly normal. Usually use a little vaseline to get the impeller into the housing and also to give it a little lube so it doesn't start off life dry. Can also use dish detergent but it tends to dry out.

Make sure you got the curves of the vanes pointed in the right direction. If installed backwards, they will "usually" correct themselves once the motor starts.

 

[Mercury60]

Re: Did I Install the Wrong Impeller??? (pic)

Thanks guys! That makes me feel a lot better. Dumb question though....what is the easiest way to make sure the fins are in the right direction?

 

[ChrisfromVT]

Re: Did I Install the Wrong Impeller??? (pic)

While pushing down on the water pump cover, turn the driveshaft clockwise. With some lube, it "should" go right together. I grease all the fins of the impellar and the inside of the housing.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Did I Install the Wrong Impeller??? (pic)

Thanks guys! That makes me feel a lot better. Dumb question though....what is the easiest way to make sure the fins are in the right direction?

Follow the instructions.

It'll tell you to lube the fins, then turn the shaft in a particular direction, (clockwise on my engine, probably the same on most if not all) while pressing down on the housing. They'll roll right in the can.