Speed seal

[Mark.Wilme]

Quoted again ...

I was surfing the web earlier for more information and owner reports on the Speed seal and who did I find quoted at Torrensen marine ?

None other than our host himself, see :
http://www.torresen.com/sailing/content ... 000496.php

Interesting how the two articles differ as thye get farther down, there is no mention of :

" We stock Speed Seals for many Yanmar engines so delivery can be as fast as you desire."

in Tims original article.


Anyway, I was thinking of adding one to our new boat and aside from Tim wondered if anyone else has experience with these ?

Mark[/url]

[Tim]

I don't see why anyone wouldn't have one of these. OK, they are a little pricey, but it's a small price to pay for the ease of access and peace of mind that ease provides. I think it was $50-$60 several years ago when I bought mine. It's saved me at least that much aggravation. Life's too short to fight with tiny slotted brass screws in an impeller cover.

I sure love it, and would/will put one on any boat I own.

The Speedseal has the added benefit and convenience of using an integral O-ring in the cover that eliminates the need for the paper gaskets commonly seen in these impeller housings. This means that you can remove the cover and inspect or replace the impeller without replacing the gasket.

[Jason K]

FYI: Moyer Marine sells a similar product for the Atomic 4.

Link here, scroll about halfway down

[Figment]

Yeah, but the A4 water pump is still such a pain to access that I also bought Moyer's extended bottom bolt, so whenever the impeller needs a checkup I just dismount the whole pump and do it in the galley sink.

In my opinion, the extended bottom bolt provides more convenience per dollar than the speedseal.

[Jason K]

Time for that access hatch, Mike.

[Peter]

This is a neat idea. Can the impeller be changed on the Yanmar without removing the pump?
I'm not sure I like the idea of using only four of the six screws.

I think I might try making one of these on the lathe. A piece of brass would be easier to turn than stainless, but would it be a "dissimilar metal" and cause problems? And where to find those metric thumb scews .....

[Tim]

I'm not sure I like the idea of using only four of the six screws.

No problems to report in 4 seasons' use.

Can the impeller be changed on the Yanmar without removing the pump?

Yes, with some contorting. I've never had to change the impeller "on the fly" becuase I replace it every season, but at least with the Speed Seal you have a chance of doing it in place rather than absolutely requiring the pump to be removed as it would be for the standard plate.

That said, I always remove the pump when I do maintenance. I've never actually tried to replace the impeller in place.

A piece of brass would be easier to turn than stainless, but would it be a "dissimilar metal" and cause problems?

Dissimilar to what? Most impeller housings are brass, as is the Speedseal.

If you let your pump housing leak, then yes, there's a potential for a corrosive reaction between the brass housing and the stainless steel screws. Otherwise, there's not.

[Figment]

Time for that access hatch, Mike.

DAMN THAT IT'S ALL CONNECTED!!!!

:)

[Peter]

Dissimilar to what? Most impeller housings are brass, as is the Speedseal.

That settles it, then. Time for some more DIY :-)

[Tim]

I wish I had a metal lathe and the know-how to use it!

[Peter]

I wish I had a metal lathe and the know-how to use it!

I have an old South Bend 48" bed, about the same age as me. I wish I knew how to use it ... a real machinist would probably keel-haul me for the way I (ab)use it .