changing raw water impellers on diesel?

[dubb]

I always hate this job so I'm looking for advice on ways to make easier. The impellers always come out pretty easy. The problem is getting them back in. It always takes forever to get the key ways on the impeller and shaft to line up so that I can put the key in.

I figure there has to be a better way to do this and I'm just not smart enough to figure it out. So I'm open to suggestions. If it makes any difference these are 3116 cats.

Thanks

[seapower]

You're lucky enough not to have a raw water pump that doesn't have a huge impeller. But when I have one that give me a really hard time getting it in, this is what I do. First of all lubricate the inside of your pump body (you should be doing this anyway) with a pure silcone grease (not bearing grease), KY Jelly work's good too. Fold the imller blade's in direction of rotation and take a "wide" wire tie strap (or 2.,about in the middle and one on the back end) and use it to hold the collapsed blade's, nip the tag end. Insert the impeller as close to in line with the key way as possible. When the impeller is abit over half way inserted, rotate the impeller to slide the key in. As you keep sliding the impeller in, just take a set of dike's and snip the wire tie's. But then again, if it was easy eveyone would do it. Hope it help's. Frank

[Fast Forward]

I have done everything Frank said and it has all worked well. I like to use the KY (of course), I also bump the engine so when the key ways are close to lined up the key can lay in the impeller bore. I have found the wire ties unhelpful. With the impeller started on the shaft get the key ways close and lay the key in the impeller and press in while turning the impeller with a rag for grip and it will go right in. Oh yeah and I lube the impeller befor removing and bump the engine so the key is on the top of the shaft so it doesn't end up in the intake hose.

[dubb]

I just got done replacing the impellars this weekend. I used the wire ties and ky (cvs brand cause it's cheaper). I also glued the key into the impellar key way with a drop of super glue to hold it in place. It really was no trouble to replace them this time.

Thanks for the advice.