T&T: Fw: Speedseal raw water pump covers

[Larry N. Brown]

>SNIP>

 Taking it off required removing six tiny
> philips-headed screw/bolts that were ajacent to the starter. No fun. I 
> just
> got off the phone with Speedseal in England and they are sending a new 
> cover
> with thumbscrews.
> www.speedseal.com<http://www.speedseal.com/>
> 800.675.1105 (before 1 PM Eastern time)
> Usual disclaimers
> <<<Gary Ritzman>>>   M/V Dharma   Albin 40   Mercer Island WA

I've read about Speedseals forever on the list and the reports of proud 
users. Had a series if genset water cooler pump impellers failures (directly 
attritubal to operator error- don't ask) that required a change. Called 
speedseal to order one for my genset and another pair for my main engine 
water pumps. The Englishman diligently tried but was unable to get a speed 
seal for either my main engine or my genset.

Now, my recommendation is that if speedseal has a kit for your pump, by all 
means, buy it. But. . . if not. . .

The problem, especially on the smaller genset pump, is that the screws are 
hard to get started and, being in a blind alley, fiddly to screw in with the 
straight slot screwdriver. It's also difficult to get the plate aligned with 
one hand.

So, my solution is two-pronged. I could not find those larged knurled nuts 
in the sizes I needed, so at the suggestion of a listee, I bought a box of 
allen head machine screws in the sizes I needed. Think I got 50 of one and 
100 of the other--you can't buy them by the unit-- so I now have a lifetime 
supply. Metric. Largish knurled nut. I also made myself a couple 1" studs in 
each size. The idea is to remove two screws and replace them with studs, 
finger-tight. Pull the rest of the screws, the plate and the impeller. 
Replace impeller, hang the new gasket and plate on the studs. Replace the 
machine screws, remove the studs and install the two remaining allen head 
screws. Tighten down. I keep a zippy with the 2 appropriate sized allen 
wrenches, the studs and a dozen spares in the engine room just in case, 
during a change, one disappears into the bilge.

Can't be sure but I think one's a 3mm and the other a 4 mm screw. Kohler 
genset. Yanmar 4LHA-STP mains. If any interest appears, I'll check what they 
actually are and I'd be happy to send sets to anyone who wants them- till I 
get down to my personal stash-- free. You pay the postage.

Regards,

Larry and Teri
M/V Cigano, 47' Prairie Sundeck Cruiser
Lying: Covington, LA
N 30 26.7
W 90 07.1