Impeller Access

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oldtreeview

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On my Trident 24, the impeller cover is difficult to access on my Kubota 2600. It is on the rear of the engine. I have cut an access hatch in the cockpit floor (see photo) but 3 of the 6 screws on the impeller cover are obstructed by the gearbox bell housing (30mm gap). If I can get the screws out, I could replace them with bolts which I could get a spanner on. Has anyone else had access problems? The pump is a Johnson 10-35127-1 Engine Cooling Pump.
 
bent screwdriver

I have seen screwdrivers made from bent steel, rather like an allen key but with a screwdriver blade ground onto the end. I don't have one but have seen them on tool stands at autojumbles and similar places. You might try a car restorer or specialist tool shop. I'm pretty sure you could get one of those onto your screw heads.

Failing that, you might get somebody to make you a special tool.

Good luck with the grazed knuckles!
 
Once you get it off you need a speedseal which replaces the cover and the little screws with a new cover and 4 knurled head screws that only need to be finger tight. You only need to undo 2 of the knurled things and slacken the other two to slide off the cover. They are useful things even with good access. http://www.speedseal.com/speedseal.html
 
oldtreeview said:
On my Trident 24, the impeller cover is difficult to access on my Kubota 2600. It is on the rear of the engine. I have cut an access hatch in the cockpit floor (see photo) but 3 of the 6 screws on the impeller cover are obstructed by the gearbox bell housing (30mm gap). If I can get the screws out, I could replace them with bolts which I could get a spanner on. Has anyone else had access problems? The pump is a Johnson 10-35127-1 Engine Cooling Pump.
Click to expand...

Speed seal. Can't praise them highly enough. 16 years of use.
 
Unbolt the entire pump from the engine first- three screws judging by the photo- then if necessary remove the hoses and position the pump where you can work on the front cover.

Even with the Speediseal cover it will be difficult to access the impeller with the pump on the engine.

edit- the screws you want are the cap head/ allen screws
 
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How big is the gap between the impeller cover plate and the bell housing? It looks to me like it would be too small to remove the impeller even if you got the cover off. In which case you have no choice but to remove the pump (God help you if it as difficult as it was on mine :eek:). Provided removing and refitting the pump isn't too arduous, I wouldn't bother with designing and making a noew mounting arrangement.

If the gap is big enough to remove the impeller, it will also be big enough to get a cranked screwdriver in there. If you can't find a cranked screwdriver (I haven't seen one for years) you could make one by grinding a screwdriver blade onto the end of an allen key.
 
Agree with most points especially removing the pump if possible. Not sure how you could reposition the pump as I guess it is driven from behind.

If you don't go for a speed seal I would replace the screws in the pump cover with s/steel hex headed bolts or s/steel screws with a nut or two run up tight against the screw head. so you can use a small ring or open ended spanner on them (much better in my opinion than slotted brass screws) have you ever tried to use a off-set screwdriver in a tight spot ? :)
pete
 
My first boat had a Kubota engine, although smaller than yours, with the water pump in the same inaccessible position. That engine seems to be the same one that is used by the marine converters. Presumably they move the pump drive to elsewhere. Is that an option for you?
 
Impeller Access - moving pump

Thank you everyone for your advice. Looking at the speed seal. On the front of the engine is a plate, on the engine block, opposite the side to where the pump is now, which is held on with 4 small bolts. Could there be a cam behind this to drive a pump?
 
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