Impeller Replacement - Stuck bolts

[PurpleDragon]

Whew.. I was sweating there, while iboats.com was down for the morning... I was having withdrawal symtoms!<br /><br />I've got a 12hp Sears Motor (West Bend) - circa - 1965. The impeller has never been changed - and whoo-hoo I've found a replacememt and had it shipped to me.<br /><br />The lower unit came off without a hitch. But now the bolts holding the impeller housing are being a pain in the rear to remove. I've hit them with a shot of Kroil. Should I just let-em sit? Or try some other means of loosening the bolts? (apply heat?, or just let it sit with Kroil on it for a while, and try later?)<br /><br />To make this an easier chore next time around, would there be any problem with replacing the "flat-head screwdriver head bolts" with hex bolts so that I can use a socket next time?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Rex S

 

[DJ]

Re: Impeller Replacement - Stuck bolts

Rex,<br /><br />You will do more good with heat if you can heat the housing the bolts go into. You havw to be careful with this because you may damage any gaskets or rubber parts in the housing. Without seeing what the bolts go into, I would avoid it.<br /><br />You could heat the ends of the bolts, let cool and repeat the cycle a couple of times. That may loosen the threads enough to allow removal. Do not try to remove the bolts while they are still warm!!!<br /><br />As far as replacing the bolts with some other style, I do not see a problem, as long as they are stainless steel and there are NO clearance issues.

 

[PurpleDragon]

Re: Impeller Replacement - Stuck bolts

Well, no dice, yet. I'm afraid I'm going to tear up the bolts, and don't want to ruin my chances for removing them.<br /><br />Tried heating the outer housing (tried to stay away from the pump housing) and letting it cool several times, but it's just as tight as ever.<br /><br />I've got a heftier friend who will come over tomorrow, and see if he can put more muscle on those bolts than I am able to.<br /><br />If that doesn't work, I'll take the lower unit to a fix-it shop, and see if they'll unscrew those bolts for me. (Maybe they'll have an impact tool that will do the trick).<br /><br />Once the impeller is replaced - The motor will be ready for it's first water outing in 30 years!<br /><br />Rex S.

 

[Trent]

Re: Impeller Replacement - Stuck bolts

Dont know if you have tried this..But put as much pressure as you can on the top of the bolt and try to move it in the "Other direction" just a grunt..SOmtimes that breaks it free..just a thought

 

[12Footer]

Re: Impeller Replacement - Stuck bolts

Us old motorcycle guys use a tool called an "impact driver". This is a fat,metal screwdriver-like tool that u whack with a hammer,while holding it in the direction you want to go. It is sometimes the only way. And yes, spray it good with the bolt-blaster, and let it sit over night. It also helps to tap the head of the bolt every now and then durring the soaking. Then,get a socket to fit the bolt, and in the size of the impact driver (about 10bukz at WallyWorld).<br />Most impact drivers are 3/8" drive, and come with a detachable collar (for the screwdriver bits to fit into).<br />They are indespensble for gettng you out of such jams with great success, and da bomb when it comes to those vent/fill screws in the lower unit!<br />Good luck<br />P.S. I was starting to panic too when the site was hiding...It came back "Can't find page", so i figured it was hiding.

 

[harrison20002]

Re: Impeller Replacement - Stuck bolts

Hey Rex, I thought I had a solution for you then along comes 12 Footer. Seriously though, everything he said is right. An inpact driver is one of the handiest tools a guy can have.<br /><br />The only thing I can add is I've found when I need heat to coax a screw or bolt loose, I use a pencil torch. They are only about 10 bucks and you can concentrate the heat to a very small area. I hope this helps a little but hurry, Springs coming. Happy Boating. Hal

 

[PurpleDragon]

Re: Impeller Replacement - Stuck bolts

Thanks Guys,<br /><br />I'll try that this afternoon!<br /><br />Rex

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Impeller Replacement - Stuck bolts

Hello Rex:<br />>If you have enough room, get a GOOD set of vise grips and grab the head of the screw. Crack them lose with that.<br />>As a last resort, once the screw slot is stripped, drill the center of the bolt with a 1/4" drill bit. Drill it deep enough that the head comes off. Once all the retaining bolts are out(or drilled)remove the pump housing. Now the studs are exposed and you can effectively get penitrating oil on them. Now you can grab them with a good vise-grip, working them back and forth.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[PurpleDragon]

Re: Impeller Replacement - Stuck bolts

Unfortuntely Schematic, the bolts are currently flush with top of the the impeller housing, so there's really nothing to grab, until it's unscrewed a bit.<br /><br />I picked up an impact screwdriver at Harbor Freight this morning for $6.99, and will work with it for a bit. If that fails, I may have to go the drilling route - but we'll see.<br /><br />Rex S.

 

[PurpleDragon]

Re: Impeller Replacement - Stuck bolts

The right tool for the job.... That's all it took to loosen those suckers up. Whacked that impact screwdriver, and *twist* went the bolts! Cool! I like learning to use a new tool.<br /><br />And 2 minutes later, the impeller replacemet is complete. Even replaced the rubber o-ring as the top of the driveshaft. <br /><br />Now, just need to re-torque down the screws, and re-bolt the lower unit to the engine. Whoopee! Overall - this is a 30-minute (at most) job for my first time to change the impeller. <br /><br />Thanks again for all of your assistance!<br /><br />Rex S.