454/ Alpha conversion to V belt raw water pump
 

I have a 1987 SD raw water cooled 454 with an alpha cooling system. I want to convert it to a belt driven raw water pump with a thru hull pick up. My question is,
Is the Merc pump any better than the Jabsco pump. I tried the Johnson crank pump, but I have a 3 groove pulley and the anti rotation brace will not fit, and was very tight. So I will go with V belt pump
Is there a danger of too much water (pressure/volume) ?
I noticed, I have to take the circulating pump off to install the new water pump mounting bracket, is there another way ?

Also have Groco garden hose attachment for fresh water cleaning and winterizing, any know problems ? Pressure ?

Any input ?
I Need help

454/ Alpha conversion to V belt raw water pump
 

What is "take off" ? Is that NEW, USED, REBUILT ?
Also looking for the "V" belt pulley.
Is the Merc pump better than the Jabsco pump ?

Scott

Mercruiser has a kit that includes all the items needed to bolt the pump to your motor. I think it even includes the transom mount pick up.

It`s been a while, I think I found it in the Quicksilver catalog.

454/ Alpha conversion to V belt raw water pump
 

I have contacted Mercruiser directly, NO KIT exists for a 1987 454 alpha to belt driven raw water set up. The Merc tech did e-mail me a all the part numbers needed, but they're all stand alone, no kit.
So, is Merc raw water pump better than than the Jabsco raw water pump ?

Thru hull (speed pick up) is already in with 1 1/4" sea cock, need sea strainer, a pump, and the pulley.

Scott

Price for "NEW JABSCO PUMP" and pulley
 

Kevin,
I'm very interested in the the NEW Jabsco pump and the V belt pulley.
I would like to discuss pricing and condition.

Scott
978-475-6764

www.makomagnet.com

Re: 454/ Alpha conversion to V belt raw water pump
 

I use a johnson crank mounted pump for my SBC's & they work great.

Just a question.........why don't you mount the pump and make a longer anti-rotation bracket.....It fairly simple. Also the impellers are reasonable in price, & they are a breeze to change.

I think I bought mine from lighthousemarine.com

Just a thought

IM RUNNING TWIN 350 MAGS WITH TWIN ALPHAS. I ALSO RUN GIL EXHAUST. I FOUND THAT I WAS NOT DUMPING ENOUGH WATER SO I ENDED UP ADDING THE RAW WATER KITS(MERC) WHICH WORKED OUT GREAT EXCEPT NOW I WAS DUMPING TO MUCH WATER.THE FIX WAS EASY.THE WATER FROM YOUR DRIVES BLOCK OFF THE PASSAGE IN THRU THE TRANSOM ASSY.AND HAVE THE WATER FROM YOUR DRIVE DUMP BACK IN TO THE WATER.CAUTION WHEN YOU FLUSH YOUR SYSTEM YOU MUST KEEP THE EAR MUFFS ON THE DRIVE AS WELL AS HOSE TO SOME TYPE OF VALVE FOR THE BLOCK.YOU CANNOT JUST STOP THE WATER IN THE DRIVE YOU HAVE TO KEEP THAT LITTLE ALPHA COOL.ILL WORK ON GETTING YOU THE CONVERSION KIT#

I used Johnson pumps on my 540 cranks to eliminate the Merc pumps that are near impossible to get to on my boat. Reversed the bracket to the starboard side and flipped pump in/out to the starbodrd side to use all existing plumbing.

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I can't seem to download the jpg files, can you please e-mail them to me.
[email protected]

I'm still up in the air about Johnson pump or the Merc/Jabsco pump.

Thanks
scott

Nice pics mo' I have the same set up on mine..Impeller swaps are a snap.

Don't forget Mako, you can rotate them any way you want so long as you get the anti rotation bracket on & it fits, so it offers some flexibility.

As for the alpha, I know it pushes water.....are you planning on leaving the impeller in there. I'm not sure how good the water can be sucked through it ?

Never thought of that, I them with bravo's

Anyone know ?

A while ago I asked the question about converting an Alpha drive to an engine mounted pump. I was told to use an external water pickup but keep the impellor in the drive and use it to supply a drive shower. The Alpha is dependant on the water flowing through to help cool the drive oil.

Thanks for all the input. Very nice work, I noticed you keep an extra "V" belt back there within the bracket "just in case." I purchased the Johnson pump and installed about a week ago, have since removed it when I ran into the bracket issue. According to I-netmarine.com the only brackets made were for a 2 belt pulley, that's when I removed the pump and was going to go with the Merc pump.
Your setup is the way to go, any concerns on loading the pump bearings when bending the bracket to fit (the 3 belt pulley). I was thinking of adding back stock to the bracket, equal to the 3rd V groove on the pulley, or even a simple spacer to make up the distance.
I also purchased a set of bronze bushings 3/8" x 1/2" x 1/2" for about $1.50

Thanks, if you think of anything else, please let me know.

Regards,
Scott

PS,: I will keep the impeller in the alpha for outdrive cooling. I was thinking of simply moving the oil cooler water supply line, to an existing "above the water line" thru fitting. This way should something go wrong I still have that supply.

Have installed a 1 1/4" scoop thru hull with sea cock for new supply