Is this water pump worn?

[vh2q]

Well instead of screwing up and asking questions after the fact, my past practice, I thought I would ask in advance: I have to replace my impeller, but looking at the wear plate and cover I wonder whether I need to replace the whole thing. Any input? This is a 73 40HP Norseman if that matters.

 

[racerone]

just install a new impeller

 

[Scott Danforth]

That housing looks like it has a bit of corrosion. I would do a whole kit myself

 

[F_R]

If I were doing it on my own motor, just an impeller. If I were doing it for somebody else and getting paid for it, and guaranteeing the job, a new pump kit.

 

[racerone]

Some of those housings are a bit spendy.---I have put them in a 4 jaw chuck and taken a skim off that face along with the same amount off the mounting surface.----But everone works to different standards !!

 

[F_R]

Some of those housings are a bit spendy.---I have put them in a 4 jaw chuck and taken a skim off that face along with the same amount off the mounting surface.----But everone works to different standards !!

And those standards are pretty hard to determine at times. Remembering back to "The Day", a customer brought me a motor for a "tune-up". So, I did all the usual stuff in good conscience, but when I looked at the spark plugs, they were almost new. So I left them in. Wouldn't you know it, Monday morning, he was back, reading me the riot act. One of those plugs failed and he had to run on one cylinder all day. He sez he asked for a tune-up and a tune-up includes new plugs, and why didn't I put new ones in, he sez.

Back to the pump in question, there is nothing wrong with that housing and plate. I guess replacement would be based on the customer. If he told me to keep the cost down because he didn't have much to spend, (and I believed him), I'd leave them in. But I'd explain they are worn a bit and will continue to wear, but are ok for now.

I have also trued them up on a lathe, but that removes the hard-coat anodize, so it still is a temporary fix.

As they say, "It Depends".

 

[vh2q]

I chucked the pump housing in my 4 jaw (fiddly to do as the housing is tapered), lined everything up and skimmed the two surfaces 6 thou as well as the walls. That cleaned up most of the wear marks except for the circular groove from the brass bushing. I have to say I "paid" myself about $10 per hour vs getting new parts, it took a while to get it all set up and you have to take very light cuts to avoid disturbing your setup. But at least it was tax free!

From what I could see there was no anodizing left on the internal wear surfaces.

Thank you all for your wise advice.