That ittie bittie empeller key

[rhomesteader]

I am changing the impeller on a 1983 Mercury 9.8hp. but I have run into the same problem on a 15 hp older Johnson.
How do you get the little flat key that drives the impeller to stay in place, on the flat spot, on the drive shaft while putting the empeller in place?
I'm sure the experienced and the pros on this Forum must know a few tricks. Hope you will share. This is the hardest part of changing the impeller on the smaller outboards.
(I don't know if that key has a special name or not, but I've called it several special names!)

 

[boat127]

Re: That ittie bittie empeller key

put some heavy grease on it

 

[ONERCBOATER]

Re: That ittie bittie empeller key

i use tacky grease.... and never have to call it names.

sean

 

[1nebel0]

Re: That ittie bittie empeller key

A finger full of grease and it won't move..................

 

[Bob Gilvary]

Re: That ittie bittie empeller key

I use the same thing I hold the spaghetti type seal in the groove of the housing. Windshield adhesive, just a spot of it.
Not all housings have that type of seal.
I then reach under with a thin screw driver and make sure it's in place as I line up the impellor.
I also hold the impellor by a blade that I can relate to it's keyed opening, as I slide it down the drive shaft.

 

[rhomesteader]

Re: That ittie bittie empeller key

Gott'er Done! Thanks for the input. It helped me and maybe other too.

So for others that read this Thread, here is what I did.
1. Clamped lower leg so the drive shaft is horizontal, not verticle. This lets gravity work for you.
2. Clean the ittie bittie key. Then put a small amount of something sticky on the back of the key. I had little luck with the grease I had, so used a small drop of Permatex number 2.
3. Place the key on the flat spot and made a mark on the shaft in line with the little rib on the key.
4. Marked the impellor blade that lines up with the grove on the ID. Then removed a tiny bit of the impellor material that was blocking the the lead end of the grove.
5. Slid impellor down the shaft. Worked the blades in to the cup for a clockwise rotation. Lined up the marked blade with the mark on the shaft. Reached in with a thin screwdriver and reseated the bottom of the key and it all slid together.

When you buy the new impellor it might be a good idea to buy an extra key. That ittie bittie thing is hard to find if it gets away from you.

 

[Bob Gilvary]

Re: That ittie bittie empeller key

Being smarter than the metal and plastic sure helps.........Good job!!!