automotive pump vs mercury

[saltymotor]

Hi,

I have a merc 4.3 LE. Having problems w the power steering. I read a blog on the internet you can use a 1990 CHev 2500 power steering pump which costs 40.00 instead of the Mercury pump which runs 600.00. Has anyone done this with success? Is the gearing for a automotive pump different? The pumps look exactly the same

 

[Gettinther]

Re: automotive pump vs mercury

Hi,

I have a merc 4.3 LE. Having problems w the power steering. I read a blog on the internet you can use a 1990 CHev 2500 power steering pump which costs 40.00 instead of the Mercury pump which runs 600.00. Has anyone done this with success? Is the gearing for a automotive pump different? The pumps look exactly the same

They are as far as i have experienced. If it walks like a Duck and quacks like a duck it's a duck.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: automotive pump vs mercury

My father has swapped several "Mercruiser" pumps with Chevy pumps, they are the same. Pulleys might be a hindrance depending on what type of belt you have, but pulleys can be changed, of course.

 

[saltymotor]

Re: automotive pump vs mercury

Oh, my guess is the pump would prime the same way?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: automotive pump vs mercury

Oh, my guess is the pump would prime the same way?

Neither Chevy nor Mercruiser makes those pumps. They're usually made by Eaton and there's no "marine" pump (at least for most pleasure boat applications)

The pump doesn't need to "prime". It has it's own integral reservoir.


You can probably buy one directly from Rock Auto or other online retailer for from 40$+

Some of them don't come with a pulley or reservoir. (use the old one) Then you'll need to buy or rent a "puller" to swap the old pulley.





Cheers,





Rick

 

[mancho]

Re: automotive pump vs mercury

yah, I did this just last weekend, replaced the plastic pulley on the mercuriser and at the same time replaced the power steering pump.

I got the $600 price down to $450, but in the end, the Autozone one for $60 was by far a better deal.

Works great.