Raw water Pump
 

Installed the Hardin water pump 2 seasons ago and also replaced the intake hose from the transom.

To remove and replace of the pump is a real bear on my motor because there really is no room, so have to hang upside down for the most part. Installing the first round I removed the exhaust manifold which helped. The housing has some weight which only makes things worst. Removing the hoses from the pump was hardest part, and in part because of the new hose and weight didn't help. The increased difficulty has got me thinking about going back to the composite housing.

The Hardin pump has a small spot on one side which I think may not have been machined correct;y and noticed prior to original install. The spot did mark the impeller but not enough to cause any damage. Got the Hardin pump figure it would last longer and it does, but the inner wear plate is showing some grooves, not much. Figure I can get by with another install

Have till spring to decide if the Hardin goes back on or go back to the composite. Never had any issue with the composite

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a63ecf7e73.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7ad9fdbe79.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...624b83b750.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...be2b9c3eb5.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f79febec88.jpg

Does anyone make some kind of quick connect to male NPT fitting?

Installed the same pump a couple years ago. Thanks for the pic. The impeller came pre-installed in my pump so didn't get a look at the inside of the housing. Plan to replace the impeller this spring so I will see if I have the same issue as you pointed out here.

What kind of hose are you trying to remove from the pump? I use the parker EZ form hose from my transom to strainer which is very flexible and seems very easy to pull off the fittings.

http://www.parker.com/static_content...mHose_2013.pdf

I was planning on replacing my 2 stage Hardin pump with that stainless unit. Has your water pressure changed at all that caused you to look into this?

I have the hard wall Trident 1.25 inch hose, same kind that came on the boat originally and most boats from the factory. Have not seen the flex stuff, but looks interesting.

Did not install the pressure gauge until last season and I'm running 3 until motor warms up, then 1 to barely above at idle. Getting 20 to 23 psi from cruise to WOT, again this is first season with gauge.

My main issue is it is really hard to get to and remove the pump, hanging upside down. Hanging on to a 10 pound pump assembly trying to get the hose off (new hose). If someone made a quick connect that would work, this would at least make it easier. Could pop it off and then remove on the bench

There were “quick” disconnects on my 496 raw water plumbing. But you still had to get down there and release the clip that held them together with a small flat head and unclip it. Then still had to manipulate the hose enough to pull the two apart.

Number 17 & 18 in this pic from the 496 raw water parts diagram
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2caeaac3ee.png

Will look into that thanks

The original Merc bracket works the same way just doesn't have the slot. Will give it some thought and using grease may help. This one was the toughest due to new hose I believe.

I have 2 of Hardin's impeller housings (only) fastened to the oe pump. I didn't notice any abnormal wear to the impeller due to the slots. The wear plate looked just like yours, I flipped it over to use the other side and I plan on changing every other season as the impeller looked to be in such good shape. I'll only use Merc. impellers, Sierra are much flimsier and I'm not experienced enough yet to know of any others. I use OE hose and find it easier to get on an off the Hardin fittings, one of mine is even a 45* bend that goes under the engine toward the oil pan due to the engine mount. I typically unbolt the impeller housing then pull the hoses off as there's no way they'll slide off with everything in place; they're much too rigid.

Keith