Water pump kit for 4.3 mercruiser

[actionljackson]

Went to fire up the boat today and wasn't getting water from the muffs up to the engine. The intakes are all clear and it's the impeller.I pulled the lower unit off and took out the pump housing.My question is what water pump kit do I need? Looking on Iboats I think it's the Sierra 18-3317 kit but the 3320 and 3321 look very close as well. I'm not sure of the year of the outdrive it's a mercruiser alpha one serial #OC378381 the boat year is 1988 Larson Citation. Should I repace the shear key in ther as well? I don't think this comes with the kits but would like some opinions.Mine looks ok just thought while its apart do what I can.Thanks

~Leo

[achris]

That serial number comes up as a TR/TRS drive, not an Alpha (of any species)...

The kit you need is 18-3320.... (assuming you got the number wrong.)

Chris........

[actionljackson]

Achris The drive says Alpha one right on it.I may have read the # wrong where are you checking this serial #? What is TR or TRS and where can I find info on these.Please help.

[achris]

I'm checking the serial numbers in the Merc parts catalog...

A TR/TRS drive is a big drive using with high HP engine.. It was the predsessor of what's know today as the Bravo drives.

I have no doubt yours has Alpha 1 decals on it , and it is an Alpha 1... I'm just saying that the number doesn't match....

[actionljackson]

Thanks Acris I will double check my numbers

[Boat Tech]

That serial number comes up as a TR/TRS drive, not an Alpha (of any species)...

The kit you need is 18-3320.... (assuming you got the number wrong.)

Chris........

achris, You must have copied and pasted wrong Because I came up with 1988 MERCRUISER ALPHA under Product Line Literature area using serial number OC378381.

[achris]

... copied and pasted wrong ...

??? How do I 'copy and paste' wrong?

This is a screen grab from my system.... Serial number is the same (took it from your post this time), still shows TR/TRS

[Boat Tech]

WOW that is weird because when I bring up 0C378381 I get,

MERCRUISER - (ALPHA H.P. (1988))
Serial No: 0C378381 Model No: 6010000AS

Service Literature for 1988 MERCRUISER ALPHA

SERVICE BULLETINS

SMC-88-10 - ALPHA ONE and BRAVO ONE UPPER SWIVEL SHAFT BUSHING REMOVAL TO
PARTS CATALOGS

99964 - R/MR ALPHA ONE STERNDRIVE
SERVICE MANUALS

12934 2 - SERVICE MANUAL #6 R/MR/ALPHA ONE
Product Line Literature

SERVICE BULLETINS

This is from (MercNet) Literature, And I would bring up Product History but right now that part of the system is down for debugging purposes like it always does around this time on sunday morning, But I should be able to recheck it some other time if you would like me to.

PS I was just joking around about the copied and pasted wrong thing.

[actionljackson]

Now I am really confused please help me sort this out.I know it's not a high horsepower engine just a 4.3 V6 the kit 18-3320 does look to be the one I need.Just want to make sure as I don't have a parts catalog and want to order the right one the first time.Any idea on a munual I could purchase for this outdrive?

[achris]

Hi Leo,

Sorry if I am causing confusion... I use a Mercury supplied program to look up a parts catalog... that catalog is showing up the serial number you supplied as a drive that is different to what you have... I don't know why... It's never had a problem before... I guess there's a first for everything and yours is it....

Now... We know you have a 1988 Alpha 1 drive, and you are looking to find the right water pump kit.... That kit is 18-3320.. As for the impeller key, I've never seen one that needs replacing, just reuse it, if it's not supplied in the kit.

You don't need to buy a manual, just go to the Adults Only section of this forum and download manual number 6 for your drive and manual number 7 for your engine (assuming that the engine is the same vintage as the drive)...

I hope this sorts out the confusion....

Chris........

[ziggy]

got a mercruiser dealer by you?

if so, go there and tell them what ya got. they'll give ya the water pump kit. my dealer must sell a lot of them. they're right by the cash register on a hook for easy access.

it'll be mercruiser part # 47-89984T-5. this kit cover mc-1 drives thru alpha1 drives. they all take the same part.

a link to your drive.

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/selec...e%29+1983-1990

a link to the water pump.
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show_...ESHAFT%29+-+MR

it's the last item on the page. water pump kit.

yes, the link is to MR, but from what i understand, MR (major revision) is the same as alpha1, just a name change.

if ya really want aftermarket. i'd think ya could cross reference the oem part number.

[Don S]

I show the Alpha too Chris.

[actionljackson]

Well thankyou Chris for sorting that out and to everyone who responded.I have learned a lot in the last 24 hours.I downloaded the parts diagram and found the kit I need.I am leaning towards the Sierra 3220 as it has everything in the kit.Should I be concerned with this aftermarket kit or stick with the Merc kit ? Seems to be a little cheaper to go with the 3220 and if I'm changing this out every year or so that would be the way to go.
Any thoughts??
~Leo

[Don S]

I merged your 2 posts together Leo, no sense having 2 posts with the same title, espcially when it has to do with the same thing.

[Boat Tech]

Well thankyou Chris for sorting that out and to everyone who responded.I have learned a lot in the last 24 hours.I downloaded the parts diagram and found the kit I need.I am leaning towards the Sierra 3220 as it has everything in the kit.Should I be concerned with this aftermarket kit or stick with the Merc kit ? Seems to be a little cheaper to go with the 3220 and if I'm changing this out every year or so that would be the way to go.
Any thoughts??
~Leo

Well as a MerCruiser dealer I really only like to suggest using OEM products, But to be honest with you I have had some bad luck using some after market products before, But not everyone has had the same bad luck as I have using after market products, So in the end it is completely up to you on what way you would want to go with using the products of your choice.

Good luck to you and sorry for the confusion earlier.

[actionljackson]

Thankyou boat tech.No problem on the confusion just made me dig deeper and learned a lot in the process
Don if you read this sorry for the extra post.My bad.Now can you tell me how to get my pics on this web sight? I tried photo bucket but it won't let me join.Must be my spyware? Any other ways to go about getting pics from my computer loaded on that will work other than the bucket?
~Leo

[ziggy]

i'm not a mercruiser dealer, just a joe boater. from what few after market parts i've used, i've found them to be sub standard also and have let the real boat techs here talk me into using oem parts when possible. some after markets i've tried haven't fit proper and had to be modified to fit. ya shouldn't have to do that. weather it's true for impellers or not, i don't know. i've only used oem. i will say that the oem always look used after one season and i think your idea of R&Ring it yearly is a real good idea. i do that too.