Are Impellers Unique?

LaqueRatt

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Sorry if this isn't the proper forum, but this isn't an engine repair question really. I just wonder if anyone has ever been able to make an impeller work that wasn't designed for their specific motor? If I take mine out and measure it, is it possible I could find something close and maybe make it work? I'm pretty good at fabricating and decent with a wrench, but this is all new to me. The specific problem is I think my impellers are bad and don't think anyone has replacements. I see plenty of impellers for sale, just not for my application.

Thanks in advance and sorry if I'm muddling up this forum, but it seems like my only hope.
 

DeepCMark58A

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Aug 17, 2015
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Sorry if this isn't the proper forum, but this isn't an engine repair question really. I just wonder if anyone has ever been able to make an impeller work that wasn't designed for their specific motor? If I take mine out and measure it, is it possible I could find something close and maybe make it work? I'm pretty good at fabricating and decent with a wrench, but this is all new to me. The specific problem is I think my impellers are bad and don't think anyone has replacements. I see plenty of impellers for sale, just not for my application.

Thanks in advance and sorry if I'm muddling up this forum, but it seems like my only hope.
What brand of motor? Hp? Year?
 

LaqueRatt

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Thanks for the link, I'll try to get a hold of the guy. Does he sell parts?

The motor is a 14 HP '66 Sears by McCulloch. Was well taken care of until I got a hold of it.
 

Scott Danforth

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Yes, impellers are unique to manufactures
 

Chris1956

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Sears used to sell replacement parts for all kinds of their stuff. Much more than I thought reasonable. That inventory had to go somewhere, maybe flea bay? If you could get a part number, maybe you could find one.
 

racerone

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At one time there were about 6 different impellers.------Today there must be 15- different one.----I would find the best match and make it work.
 

LaqueRatt

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How does one match these up? I'd guess the ID would have to be right for sure, but also I'm not so sure that couldn't be reworked by a determined individual. What are they made out of, plastic?
 

Scott Danforth

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Between outboards and I/Os there are about 200 different impellers.

ID (shaft dia) key style, OD, length, hub diameter (Blade length), blade design, number of blades, and material.

Most are made out of NBR with a bronze sleeve. However there are a few different blends.
 

LaqueRatt

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Looks like I got lucky. She's pumping water! I'd have never guessed the water needed to be so deep. Figured if the intake was submerged it would take in water. Fired up on the 3rd pull and started spitting out water. Lots of it.
Many thanks for the support and tolerating my noob questions.
 

Scott Danforth

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Looks like I got lucky. She's pumping water! I'd have never guessed the water needed to be so deep. Figured if the intake was submerged it would take in water. Fired up on the 3rd pull and started spitting out water. Lots of it.
Many thanks for the support and tolerating my noob questions.
Yep, pump needs to be lower than water to prime
 

LaqueRatt

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"Yep, pump needs to be lower than water to prime"

I'd have never guessed that. Guess never too old to learn something new. Now I just need to learn how to adjust the carb.
 

Scott Danforth

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"Yep, pump needs to be lower than water to prime"

I'd have never guessed that. Guess never too old to learn something new. Now I just need to learn how to adjust the carb.
same with I/O's

impellers do not "suck" water and can not draw water up hill. they can only push water, and are required to be submerged to prime and start pumping, and either remain submerged, or the pickup on the lower unit is designed that as the boat gets faster and comes out of the water, the force of the water keeps water flowing to the impeller.
 
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