Has anyone used Impellertool?
- Thread starter JV II
- Start date
Looks like a good tool to have but a Campbell soup can is way less expensive I am guessing. Takes me about 5-10 minutes to insert an impeller on a splined shaft but I have to use a tie wrap to get the impeller into the can first. With this tool you can 'load' the impeller easily.
Jaybeaux
Well-Known Member
- Jan 3, 2016
- 2,060
- Boat Info
- 2006 Sea Ray 48
Naught On Call
- Engines
- Cummins QSC-540s with V-Drives
11 KW Onan Genset
Ok, so I spent the $110 dollars on this $89 part, plus shipping and other fees, but I have to say that it is magnificent! I bench tested it today on an old pump off of my Cummins 6CTA's and an old impeller. Just soap it up and line it up, and viola! Terribly easy. I haven't tried it on the boat yet, but it will happen early next year. From what I can tell, it will make things so much easier. I was using zip ties to compress the vanes on the impellers. It really was difficult, especially on the starboard engine on a boat equipped with V-drives. I hope that I'm not premature in saying this, but it seems to be a very valuable tool in my aresenal.
Jaybeaux
Jaybeaux
Soulshine
Well-Known Member
Very cool indeed.
I don’t know if I’ll make the investment since I don’t see this job as dramatically difficult as depicted in the video, but if I did them all day at work, I’d love it.
I don’t know if I’ll make the investment since I don’t see this job as dramatically difficult as depicted in the video, but if I did them all day at work, I’d love it.
I grease up my impellers about 1/2 way down the vanes and they slip right in not a problem
I agree 100% that with the standard pumps (and key), this tool is the way to go. We have the same motors and V-drives but I changed to the SMX pumps with splined impellers years ago. Still have to use two tie wraps but impeller changes take me about 10 minutes on port, 20 minutes on starboard. The Impeller Tool looks great though.
When using the tie wrap method, how the heck do you get the tie wraps off once the impeller is in place?
Jaybeaux
Well-Known Member
- Jan 3, 2016
- 2,060
- Boat Info
- 2006 Sea Ray 48
Naught On Call
- Engines
- Cummins QSC-540s with V-Drives
11 KW Onan Genset
You snip the tie wraps as it is going in. I put 2 to 3 wraps around the impeller, get the nose started, snip the wrap, push, pray the key gets lined up, cut the second wrap, etc.
Exactly, but the difference with the SMX pumps is that the impellers are splined, therefore no key to line up.
I changed Sherwood to SMX pumps after an episode where I dropped a key into the intake hose and had to retrieve it.
The impeller tool would make the insert even easier because you pre-load the impeller into the barrel of the tool, no tie wraps required.
I changed Sherwood to SMX pumps after an episode where I dropped a key into the intake hose and had to retrieve it.
The impeller tool would make the insert even easier because you pre-load the impeller into the barrel of the tool, no tie wraps required.
Jaybeaux
Well-Known Member
- Jan 3, 2016
- 2,060
- Boat Info
- 2006 Sea Ray 48
Naught On Call
- Engines
- Cummins QSC-540s with V-Drives
11 KW Onan Genset
So here are the economics: "New, redesigned" Sherwood pumps: $475 each. SMX Pumps: $750 each. Impeller Tool: $100.
My boat has the "new, redesign Sherwood Pumps, so for $100, it made sense to me.
Jaybeaux
My boat has the "new, redesign Sherwood Pumps, so for $100, it made sense to me.
Jaybeaux
I have not heard about the redesign. I have 2 in my cart at Sbmarine. Do you have a link or info on what they did to fix their issues?
Jaybeaux
Well-Known Member
- Jan 3, 2016
- 2,060
- Boat Info
- 2006 Sea Ray 48
Naught On Call
- Engines
- Cummins QSC-540s with V-Drives
11 KW Onan Genset
What I was told by my mechanic was the original Sherwoods would leak at a water seal, and then corrode the shaft, subjecting it to premature failure. Sherwood redesigned the seal to prolong the life. When I bought my boat, one of the original Sherwoods was replaced with a "new" Sherwood as a result of the survey. A year later, when discussing water pump impellers, my mechanic said that it would be prudent to replace the other original pump with "new" Sherwood. Not knowing about SBMar at that time, I bought the "new" Sherwood.
I don't have a link.
I don't have a link.
I tried to do this with zero success and alternating prayers and curses. Sherwood pump with a splined shaft. I could get the front of the impeller in, but if I cut the wrap before it was in the pump housing the impeller vanes would open and hang on the slots of the cam. Leaving the wrap on in the housing meant I couldn’t remove it. Total frustration.
I was finally able to just compress the vanes by muscling the impeller against the side of the housing and sliding it onto the shaft. Steep learning curve; huge PITA. At least I know how to do it now. That tool should make things much easier.
That tool sure would be easy to make for a lot less... I wonder what protection the Patent Pending is going to give them.
liv2ryde100
Active Member
I do it same way push on angle against the side and muscle it in
ZZ13
Well-Known Member
I have had the SMX pumps for 5 years. First of all you do not need to buy any tool for the impellers. It comes with an extraction tool and it super easy to install an impeller with just your hand. Just squeeze the blades together and get the tips inside the opening, then push and turn to line up the splines. Pushes right in very easily. Second, you get two impellers with each pump purchase. One is installed in the pump and a second impeller and o ring is included. I got 600 hours and four years out of the initial impellers. Still looked brand new when I replaced them with the second set that had shipped with the pump. Those originals are now my spares.
