1961 merc 350 40hp

[dave36]

Help needed, want to change the water pump impelar before attempting to run the engine. BUT can't open the water pump cover plate ring, 4 holes - belt the S out of it! I know it has not been touched in 15 years - so what I need is advice on opening it or location of a replacement, I can drill enough holes in it to split it in two and thus remove it - someone give me something to go on ------- please

 

[MedMan]

I don't know the Merc 350 but I have just replaced the raw water pump on my Merc OM636. It was an external, belt driven Jabsco pump which I obtained from Cleghorn Waring: Tel: 01462 480380. You might also try the following link to West 4x4. They specialise in the OM636 but they might be able to help.
http://www.west-4x4.demon.co.uk/om636/index.html

 

[dave36]

update 1961 merc 350 40hp

Heated up the gear case again tonight and noticed bubbles from a crack in the water pump cover plate - so out came the drill, cover is off and casing undamaged!
Now things get worse, cover plate no longer supplied in US! drive shaft corroded and grooved from old seal, I can build that up with weld and machine it but still left with problem of cover plate!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dickh]

Re: update 1961 merc 350 40hp

Not familiar with your engine, I assume you are talking about the Jabsco type pump with the rubber impellor for raw water circulation? If so you can get a "SpeedSeal" conversion kit which includes a new cover plate - the big advantage is that you can renew the impellor without tools in under a minute - very handy if you need to replace one quickly!
Their website is www.speedseal.com I think.

dickh
I'd rather be sailing...