Tool To Clamp Impeller? Suggestions Please

[dewent]

We have a Nanni engine and the impeller is both reasonably chunky but worst of all in a hard to reach location below the floorboards. Its impossible to look into the impeller housing to see if I am locating a replacement impeller properly. All in all a b****y awful job to change the impeller and something I would dread having to do at sea in any conditions.

Does the group have any suggestions as to how I could put some kind of clamp around the impeller to get it into the housing correctly aligned?

My thinking is that I could then remove the clamp and push home with some gentle persuasion from some soft timber and a mallet.

Thanks

 

[macnorton]

I have heard of the cardboard tube left from a roll of toilet paper working, never tried it myself as mine are a piece of p*** to get at.

 

[Spirit of Glenans]

You could try a cable-tie but the location you describe might make it difficult to remove.
Plan B; Compress the vanes with a cable-tie, wrap it in a few turns of light twine, keep hold while you put it in place, don't forget lubricant, then pull the twine out with one hand while you hold it in place with the other.
N.B. I've been very fortunate to have only had experience of very accessible impellers, so these suggestions are based on pure speculation

 

[pampas]

not familuar with this engine, would it be easy to remove the complete pump for impellor renews?

 

[Poignard]

not familuar with this engine, would it be easy to remove the complete pump for impellor renews?

+1

I carry an overhauled spare pump for my engine.

It only takes a few moments to fit (usually less than it takes to find it )

 

[David2452]

We have a Nanni engine and the impeller is both reasonably chunky but worst of all in a hard to reach location below the floorboards. Its impossible to look into the impeller housing to see if I am locating a replacement impeller properly. All in all a b****y awful job to change the impeller and something I would dread having to do at sea in any conditions.

Does the group have any suggestions as to how I could put some kind of clamp around the impeller to get it into the housing correctly aligned?

My thinking is that I could then remove the clamp and push home with some gentle persuasion from some soft timber and a mallet.

Thanks

Motor cycle piston ring clamp.

 

[dewent]

Great recommendation that looks just the job! Thankyou...

 

[Simondjuk]

I'd wager you have something about with a plastic lid/cap that would serve as a compressor/guide of the correct diameter once the closed end had been removed. Twist impeller into cap so that vanes are facing the right way, insert o/d of cap slightly into pump, rotate until drive engages, push impeller out of cap into pump.

 

[NormanS]

It doesn't matter in the slightest whether the blades are facing the"right"way, or not. As soon as the engine turns, the blades will assume their correct mode. Use some washing-up liquid as a lubricant, and just push the impeller in, giving it a little twist, as required, to engage the drive, and at the same time, making sure that all the blades are going in. Someone with three hands is useful

 

[heard28]

Very valid point about the blade direction - if you don't believe it, just stick an old impeller in the pump with the blades any old how and turn the shaft without the lid on. The blades will align the right way in less than a turn. Then, once you realise that it doesn't matter which way the blades point on impeller refitting, you stop worrying about getting them all the right way and it's a lot easier then!

Don't believe the old seawives' tales about blades snapping off. If it's a new impeller, then the rubber is in good nick and it doesn't matter. If it's an old impeller where the rubber is getting brittle, then don't refit it as the blades are going to drop off any time soon in any case...