changing port impeller on 400EC with diesels

TitanTn

Active Member
Jul 12, 2015
386
Chattanooga, TN
Boat Info
1986 Saltare, 1998 400 Express
Engines
454 direct drive; twin 3116TA
A question about changing the port engine impeller. Has anyone done this without opening the floor all the way on an EC? I'm wondering if it's possible to crawl to the outboard side of the port engine and be in a position effective enough to accomplish this task.
 
I've got a 370EC, changed both impellers last spring. I can't imagine doing it without raising the cockpit floor, there's just not enough clearance around the side of the engine to get to where the water pump is. Is there something preventing you from raising the floor?
 
I've got a 370EC, changed both impellers last spring. I can't imagine doing it without raising the cockpit floor, there's just not enough clearance around the side of the engine to get to where the water pump is. Is there something preventing you from raising the floor?

It can be done (haven't done it yet though). But it requires pulling out the small fridge/freezer that is a part of the massive seat base. I'm guessing it's going to be a 45 minute job to pull out the seat base, 10 minutes to do the impeller change, and then 30 minutes to put the seat base back.
 
That sounds like a pain. On mine, the whole cockpit floor raises with a hydraulic lift to allow full access to the ER. Sounds like yours is different.
 

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Oh man, that would be a dream. For mine, I have to manually detach and remove all of the items that are lifted up in the air on your pic.
 
Moving the seat base isn’t fun but, very doable....
The ice maker power and water is easily detachable under the passenger foot area. Then, whole base can be maneuvered around on deck to allow hatch removal.
Since your going through the trouble....consider replacement of other things that are now more easily accessible.
Like;
4 duckbills in the vac pump.
2 duckbills in the trash (overboard) pump if fitted.
Holding tank vent filter.
Any stinky black water lines.

Just worth it while your in there.

Best of luck..

M
 
Don't forget the ebgibne alternator and water pump drive belts. Anything you do to improve access will help, otherwise, changing Cat 3116 belts on a 400EC is a trip of terror.

Aside from a few access problems, the Caterpillar powered 400EC is a great boat, fast and runs and handles like a sports car on the water.
 
Thanks guys. I made a lot of progress today but didn't get to the port engine yet. I did pull the starboard seat base, did a heat exchanger flush with Rydlyme, replaced the impeller and zincs. Well, except for the zinc at the bottom of the tube on the outboard side of the starboard motor. I don't see any physical way to reach it. I'd need arms that were at least 2' longer (and I'd still be doing it blind). The zincs I pulled were in decent shape, but I replaced the 5 I could reach with new ones.

The port engine will be later this weekend. And Frank, changing those drive belts looks like an act of terror no matter how many floor panels I pull up.
 
We had the first 400EC made with Cat diesels in our marina. It was a PD&E boat that was used by Rob Parmentier for a few months. They had Cat tweak the fuel pump and install larger injectors and estimated it produces 385-400 hp. The other thing about PD&E boats at the time, is they were designed by hand and were a perk for certain managers to use personally. They were always used as test platforms. This boat had one of every electronic gizmo they were considering for adoption in the regualr line including a TNT lift. The dealer sold it to a guy who kept the boat 90 miles away in Pensacola. I got to go get the boat for service/warranty a couple of times. That was always a fun trip, blasting down the ICW at 40 MPH....and I never ran over 2400 RPM. The boat was eventually traded in and was bought by a local contractor who kept in a slip near me. He was a small guy and more than once got trapped on the outboard side of one engine or the other. We used to kid him about needing a double jointed spider monkey for routine maintenance help.

I got a chance to buy the boat when it was 18 months old, but I do most of my own service work and servicing those engines as tight as they were set against the bulkhead, plus a transom leak they couldn't seem to fix where the first TNT lift was installed concerned me. My 450DA became available at about the same time and now, as I slug along at 22 kts, at about 8 hours into a every trip, I find myself wishing for the 400/Cat 3116 performance.
 
I hear what you're saying Frank - you want to swap me straight-up - boat for boat. I'll have to get back with you about that...

Seriously though, I've always done my own boat maintenance, even engine rebuilding, but this is my first diesel so I'm doing a lot of learning and have appreciated everyone's help from this site and especially your input. Knowing that you're between Middle TN and FL, I've jokingly thought "If I get stuck, I'll just ask Frank to stop by on one of his trips back and forth..." But just this weekend I've learned a lot about my boat and other than the proximity of the engine to the bulkhead, I feel like I can get to almost anything, providing that I pull the seat bases.

Expect to hear more from me as I tackle projects. A lot of people (including me at times) gripe about how much work it takes to maintain a boat, but for me it's also part of the enjoyment. Granted, it's much more enjoyable when the maintenance/fixes aren't major or costs aren't significant, but I enjoy tinkering on a boat more than about any other type of project work.
 
Actually, I am just 90 miles west of you in Shelbyville. But, I've already ruled out belts, impellers and generally stuff I can't see on the outboard side of the engines.........other than that, I've broken, worn out and fixed nearly everything that you can break or wear out on a 40+ ft Sea Ray, so if I can help you, send me a PM.

As far as trading for a diesel 400EC, I've owned the 450DA 20 years and frequently have to tell people "she isn't for sale", so I guess I'll pass.
 

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