Water Pump

[TeamAllen]

I found my water pump leaking out of that weep hole underneath. I will do the replacement myself. The question I have is, shouls I replace it with a possible upgrade or stay with the original Merc. I have a 290HP small block 350. I was thinking about an Edelbrock or Stewart as an upgrade replacement. Has anyone else thought about or done this? My Merc. water pump # is 850399.
Stewart Components

[gman]

How many hrs do you have on your water pump? It does not look that old!

[whitlock87]

If you get an after market water pump, I would take yours with and make sure the impeller is angled the same.
I had a 289 in a mustang and I got a pump from the boys (pepboys) after the install the car over heated. It turned out that the water pump impeller was turned the wrong way.
I found out that depending on your belt setup (ac or no ac) depends on the direction of travel.

That said, I get one from the auto parts store. should work the same and might cost less.

[lee]

Marine pump is built with stainless parts to slow the corrosion were the car pumps do not, the car has coolant to slow corrosion down.

[whitlock87]

Lee
Cant you get a pump with the stainless parts form the auto parts store?
The only thing stainless is the impeller, right?

Thanks for the info
David

[lee]

Am not sure about the automotive pump.

[teachercop]

Our local Carquest parts store carries and can order marine (Sierra Marine) parts. I have not investigated the water pump however it may be a possibility as far as availability.

What will you gain by installing a high performance water pump? Just asking as engine temp has never been an issue with mine so far.

[TeamAllen]

My engine has a liitle over 200 hrs. on it. I would definately match it up when I do decide on a replacement. They all seem pretty universal though, small block chevy, short pump. There are some universal direction ones labeled marine. They are less efficient because the fins on the impeller are not going in a single direction. I don't know if the pump Merc. installs is a one direction design. By looking at my picture the crankshaft should turn clockwise. The serp. belt would then spin the water pump counterclockwise, or reverse rotaion. Is that correct?

I too, have never had a cooling issue. They are not like cars. They have a constant supply of cool water. I'm not so much interested in high performance. It is always about performance and efficiency. Edelbrock says it's waterpumps have "equal distribution to both sides of the block within 1%." Maybe they are made better, maybe not? You can also get them with a polished finish.

[teachercop]

I changed my serp belt this past season,,,99 2200i MerCruiser 315 mpi,,335 Hours. I changed the belt due to slipage squealage and visual inspection. BTW,,I took belt off and went to Carquest, matched it up and bought it. With the belt off,, I spun the water pump and could detect a mild grind, ever so slight. Have not seen any seepage,,(Appreciate your photo) although I will revisit this issue when as I prep.

Do you have a link for the Edelbrock?

[TeamAllen]

I had checked the motor and everything and didin't notice the seepage at all. I just happened to kneel down and look up and was surprised at what I saw. I'm glad I noticed it before it caused problems. Here is the edelbrock link to automotive water pumps. Click on high performance, left hand side of the screen, to see the different models.

Edelbrock

[blondejosh]

Just a word of caution,
We had to get our Mercruiser water pump replaced (at 100 hours) Thankfully under warrenty. They have had issues with substandard materials, I believe that they had it sorted now.

Good Luck

[TeamAllen]

Thanks blondjosh! Mine lasted 9 years. You just never know?

The thing I wonder now is if the pump Mercruiser makes is directional or not? They make right and left handed engines. Do they have the same part numbers? There doesn't seem to ba a big concern when you look up the parts. It seems to me, they are universal in direction, making it easier on their end and less effecient on the performance end

[ghollow]

TeamAllen
I would not be that concerned about the seepage. Some seepage is normal. If you start to gat a steady drip, it is time to replace it. If you want to be sure, go ahead and replace it. I would use the Mercruiser part though. The cooling system on a Marine engine is really the only major difference between a car engine. The pump not not only has to pump the water through the engine block, it also has to pump it through the water jackets on the exhaust system. The marine engine may have a different type (stronger) of water pump.

[TeamAllen]

Thanks gholllow!

[teachercop]

This past weekend we launched the boat with wife as operator. Third outing this season. Seconds after separation from trailer she radio's me stating that loud noise emitting from engine cover possibly fan belt screaching. She lifts hood and observes smoke. Wife immediately shuts down engine. I swim out and after interviewing those on board initiate my diagnostics at the engine circulating water pump. I man handle serp belt and discover water circ pump pully is catching. Upon further investigation I can see a water stain downward from weep hole.

I dispatch for WD-40 and liberally shoot punp and weep hole. RE-attach serp belt and initiate engine start up. No belt screams and monitor engine temp. Boat runs well all three days.

Order a "Sierra Water Pump" from Carquest for less $100 and intend to R&R Monday afternoon.

Hopefully without further incident.....