Impellers

[bronze_10]

Here are images of my impellers... I want to hear what the group says. I have never messed with them before..

Starboard...

Port...

 

[buckbuck]

Have you been nibbling on gravel?
Are they cavitating?

 

[Gym]

I noticed similar issues with mine last time I pulled the pumps to check the cone bearings. I was not having any noticible issues. I decided to dress up the damaged impeller leading edges with a hand file. They are still working fine. Yours also appear to be the leading edge which you can redress yourself. You can always replace them or have them repaired if you're not happy with the results. The critical part of the impeller is the edge that interfaces with the insert where the clearance is critical.

 

[bronze_10]

The mechanic said the port is worn on the leading edge and the starboard on the trailing edge... he said .. "if u replace them it will get rid of your cavitation".. I said .. what cavitation.. we went for a test run and I threw him back into a seat... so no.. they don't cavitate but I could be loosing some mph.... my port turns 10200 rpm.. the starboard turns 10600... by GPS I run about 46 mph.. maybe 47.

 

[Bruce]

My boat is in the same situation that it tops out around 46 MPH at 10,200 RPM. I am uncertain that the $1,000 invested in new impellers and pump housings would change anything. If I knew it would work I would go for it. Not necessarily for the increased speed but for the increase in efficiency.

 

[bronze_10]

That is what I am considering... in any case it will be a winter mod.

 

[Bruce]

If you knew the impellers would come off without damaging the shaft it would be a quick job to swap out the impellers and pump housing.

 

[bronze_10]

Yes but with my luck..... ....

 

[Chillypilot]

I just took off my impellers. They came off much easier than I expected. Was a little worried about getting them especially because I wet slip my boat. I sprayed some penetrating oil on the threads several times over three days. Used a 15inch 27mm wrench and it came off relatively easy, or at less easier than I expected. I'm replacing with Solas impellers from Impros.

 

[Bruce]

@Chillypilot, what was your top speed with your old impellers? I will be excited to hear how she performs with the new impellers!

 

[Chillypilot]

@Bruce Around 48mph. Both engines topped out at 10200rpm. Had similar damage to my port impeller as @bronze_10, probably a little worse actually.

 

[Gym]

That is what I am considering... in any case it will be a winter mod.

If not cavitating I would dress them up with a file and replace them in the winter if you're not happy with them.

 

[Chillypilot]

Actually mine is quite a bit worse. Still worked fairly well. But there was some cavitation at certain power settings

 

[Seadeals]

From the pics, the starboard leading edges look rough, not the port. They are clearly still working but a simple refurb from impros next winter might be a good idea. No need to spend $$$ on new impellers unless you just want to start playing with that.

 

[swatski]

Here are images of my impellers... I want to hear what the group says. I have never messed with them before..
View attachment 36648
Starboard...
View attachment 36649
Port...

Thanks for posting, always fun to look at pics. I would agree with @Gym - your leading edge damage is not bad (easy to file off) and, importantly, your outside edges (OD) appear pristine. Unless there is something else we can not see here, I would be surprised if you noticed any improvement after swapping or refurbishing the impellers.

And one more thing: Are your pictures labeled in reverse (the top is really of port impeller and the bottom pic is starboard)? Or - you may have the impellers installed on the wrong side... (port OEM impellers usually have these notches in the neck). I bet it is the former. But if not, that could explain your higher max RPMs on the starboard engine, as the port OEM impeller is pitched higher (at least at the trailing edge which will influence RPM).

 

[bronze_10]

Thanks for posting, always fun to look at pics. I would agree with @Gym - your leading edge damage is not bad (easy to file off) and, importantly, your outside edges (OD) appear pristine. Unless there is something else we can not see here, I would be surprised if you noticed any improvement after swapping or refurbishing the impellers.

And one more thing: Are your pictures labeled in reverse (the top is really of port impeller and the bottom pic is starboard)? Or - you may have the impellers installed on the wrong side... (port OEM impellers usually have these notches in the neck). I bet it is the former. But if not, that could explain your higher max RPMs on the starboard engine, as the port OEM impeller is pitched higher (at least at the trailing edge which will influence RPM).

Lmao... yes .y pictures are reversed... I posted it laying on the ground under the boat... lol I didn't notice it until you said something...

 

[Gym]

Looking at yours @Chillypilot. Looks like the leading edges are pretty chewed up causing some burble effect which wold bè the caviation you feel at cretain rpms. If the inserts aren't gouged you may be also be able to dress them with a file to get through the season.

 

[Bruce]

@bronze_10, could you check and post the part numbers on your inpellers?

 

[bronze_10]

Uhhhh... where are they? I took those pictures by wedging my phone into the intake gates... I may can wedge my old go pro in there and see if I have more room... where exactly are the numbers?

 

[Bruce]

Uhhhh... where are they? I took those pictures by wedging my phone into the intake gates... I may can wedge my old go pro in there and see if I have more room... where exactly are the numbers?

The part numbers are on the other side. I thought you had them out.

I have a theory that our 46 mph 10,200 rpm boats have under pitched impellers. Some manuals showed that early SX models had different impellers than ARs.