Re: Bravo 1 raw water pump
My raw water pump on my Mercruiser 7.4L is mounted on starboard side motor. Had been pulled by original owner along with many engine parts. Have rebuilt and need to know if there is any way to tell input from output side of pump. Do not want to burn out impeller. I have been told the pump can be intake on either side depending on the individual pump. How do I tell? My water path goes outdrive, raw water pump, oil pws cooler, thermostat housing. I need to know which side I connect the transom hose to and the oil cooler hose to. Thanks for any help.
The pump can discharge from either fitting, depending on if it's a regular or reverse rotation engine (port or stbd in dual engine setup) and the impeller is installed accordingly. In a single engine set up, use the "LH" description embossed on pump.
Inlet hose goes on top fitting and outlet is on bottom. Looking at front of pump, it spins clockwise, so be sure impeller is installed so that as it turns, vanes "lag" the impeller hub, not the other way around. I heard thay will "self correct", but not so sure about that.. Leave the inlet hose off the pump and apply garden hose pressure to pickup, forcing water thru raw water pickup system to the pump and out the disconnected hose, priming everything, then attach the inlet hose to the pump. This will keep everything primed for an engine start. You can also disconnect the discharge hose and belt from pump and spin it by hand with the garden hose charged and see if you are getting water out of the pump discharge. When you do, you know the pump is primed and wet.
