Sierra Marine Parts
 

Are these parts good quality? I'm thinking about buying one of their circulation pumps.

curious too...but i think they're one notch down from merc...

I've used some of their parts in the past and have not had any issues with them.

I've used their gimble bearings and drive boots. Never an issue!

toyota : lexus

volkswagen : audi

mercury : sierra

prolly made in the same place

I have used their water pump with no problems. I was told they were the same just different name.

They are made in the same factory. Same pump. Same parts. Merc and Sierra have production agreements on replacement parts.

Sierra is owned by TeleFlex if that tells you anything. Just snapped this picture of their factory since you could hit a golfball from where I keep my boat and hit the Sierra factory.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...IMAG0044-1.jpg

Circulation pump... no comment. But a few years ago we installed a Sierra raw water pump & housing and it would not pump. Switched out to a Mercury and it worked perfect. I'm very careful with what Sierra parts I would use.

people have put in brand new merc pumps that wouldnt pump................

Its the same kit the Sierra brand even has the same part # on it as the Merc brand plastic housing - just different box thats its. You can see the same problems with both kits nowadays.

Both kits can have flash inside the black plastic housing where the water ports are so watch out for that plus the edges can be very sharp.

IMO the clean up in the water ports of the housing is very poor. I sell Mallory Marine parts also on top of the other brands. The Mallory kits are alot better plus beefier - the housing weighs more and is finish off alot better than either kit from Merc or Sierra.

You would be surprise how many parts that are the same from Sierra and Merc and even Mallory. Oils are not the same from these. FYI.

Good point, I always clean/deburr the plastic casting flash/parting lines in the plastic Merc. Impeller housings.

Alot of the Merc parts are the exact same as the Sierra. Just in a different box.

I have had exactly the same experience, NEVER happened with Merc parts.

I have also been asked by customers to use Sierra seal kits for stern drives but feel they are questionable since the seals does not have the same fitting tolerances as Merc parts. Some have loose fits, some almost can not be pressed in place due to tight fitting.

Some parts however seem to originate from the same manufacturer but it takes a trained eye.

That's the same explanation I've heard about Serria vs Merc parts. Many are made by same company, but to different tolerances.

As a toolmaker that had worked in the manufacturing business, that does not make sense. I can not see a company having 2 sets of mold dies made to different tolerances, to make the same part. The only plausible explanation is that the parts do intact come from the same mold, using the same raw material, but some parts may fall out of the tighter tolerance range (die wear?), thus branded Serria. Seems like a stretch though
Not sure I'd buy a different raw material theory if stated either.
Mold dies are made for specific raw materials for a controlled shrinkage factor. Different material=different die clearances=another die set=$$$$

It's all the same stuff. I think people just want to spend more money and will always come up with a reason to do it.
Could you imagine if it was crazy busy production that pushed them jar at the factory. Would they purposely start making bad ones to keep up orders ? Would they start screwing merc with 2nds to keep up. You get my point. They are all built the same. It all built to an economy of scale. Them the marketing makes up the difference.

That's what I was saying, it didn't make sense to make the same parts differently. Same as Mercury vs QS. I just don't see that huge of a demand for all the tooling required to make all the parts offered for sell in competition to Merc.
A marketing tool. I've purchased the Seirra water exhaust drains and blue drain screws. Same markings down to the parting lines.

Sometimes a tier 1 or tier 2 / 3 supplier to an OEM will also be able to sell the same components as supplied to the OEM under their own brand name (or brand of another).

Example: Ford and GM don't build everything in house. They have contracts with outside suppliers for just in time manufacturing. Sometimes those contracts are not exclusive, for a variety of reasons - usually cost.

Porsche is another example. They use Mahle pistons and cylinders, not manufactured by Porsche. Buy from the Porsche dealership and sometimes they say Porsche on the box. Sometimes they say Mahle. But you can also buy (if you are in the industry) the exact same Mahle pistons and cylinders without buying direct from Porsche.

I don't know about Mercruiser, but I expect the same thing happens as it does with almost every OEM.
Also agree with US1 Fountain, differing tolerances or manufacturing from the same plant makes no financial sense. The whole reason it happens is to save money at the manufacturing level, not spend it.

The real question is, are the parts made in the same plant? That should answer your QA question.

after inspection,the merc rejects are put in a sierra box...
:lolhit:

Should I stop by and ask for a tour to settle this? Lol

I have never used there seals. but I have used there bellows and had no issue

I use sierra for everything. Never an issue. Much cheaper $$ also.

Sierra parts
 

I have used sierra parts on a lot of boat repairs, the only problem I ever had that comes to mind was a gen 2 impeller that was not glued together properly (between the plastic insert & the rubber impeller blades). I replaced the impeller, showed a factory rep what happened & got a complete refund on both teardowns and a new kit no questions asked. Randy

Impellers are softer and I replaced three circ pumps on a triple with Sierra and all three blew out the gasket on the rear of the pump. They had thick rubber gaskets and would not stay in place. Years ago when I rebuilt Alphas all of the V-8 gear sets failed in the upper, never used their stuff again.

sierra
 

i have a repair shop in texas an sierra all we use,,,,cant beat theyre warranty,lifetime on most parts where merc MIGHT give yu 1 yr, an very very few failures.....i agree with most,they made at same plant an dont buy merc rejects
guees that means they have a little guy on each part assy line that inspects everything an tosses 1 to merc an 1 to sierra...
BS

A couple of years ago I rebuilt a pair of 502 mpi's. As the old long blocks were at such a bad state I sold my customer 2 new GM marine long blocks. When assembling I noticed one of the circulating pumps needed replacement and a Sierra part was the only that could be located within reasonable time.

Everything was well until the customer called me a few weeks later when he was out boating. One of the circulating pumps was leaking and shooting water from the back plate straight at the flame arrestor. 'Damned, is this the one I didn't replace?' I asked.
'No, this is the new circulating pump!'

The dealer that sold me the pump was not that interested in supporting a thorough check-up of that motor (the leak occured at high speed and the driver noticed it by rpm drop).

From that experience and also stern drive seal kits with very poor fitting seals I have stopped using S**a parts

I have used their impellors, no problem. their engine gaskets suck. had issues with exh. gaskets on a pair of 330's looked nlike header gaskets with no compresablity or water resistance. ended up with metal clad Feplro's no issues since

Forgot to mention bellows. I have seen S***a u-joint bellows wear out against the water intake hose in Alpha transoms. Never, never seen that with a Merc bellow.