Hardin Marine stainless steel replacement for Merc seawater pump

earl1z19

So, is there a particular brand of SS clamp that is recommended? i want to have a few spares but dont want to go to West Marine and over pay to have them

Black_Diamond

You need / want all stainless clamps. The typical Lowe’s version is not. Just not cheap parts, but cheaper than ones that corrode and fail. 

LaRea

I'm sick of worm gear hose clamps.  Next time I have to mess with a pump, I'm switching over to T-bolt clamps.  Solid band, with no jagged edge sticking out to form a skin-tearing hazard. 

Hardin seems to have good prices.  There are many other sources.  

https://www.hardin-marine.com/p-105-superduty-stainless-steel-t-bolt-band-clamps.aspx

earl1z19

Those are nice clamps

LaRea

These guys have pretty good prices on T-bolt clamps.  No small sizes though.  @GeorgeA you listening?  

https://fatboyboatsupplies.com/products/ideal-hose-clamps-ss-t-bolt-hose-clamp?_pos=1&_sid=e2599982c&_ss=r

GeorgeA

What size are you looking for LaRea?

LaRea

Ultimately, I want to replace every hose clamp in my engine room with T-bolt or something like it.  But I'll start with the sea water pump in/out hoses (Merc 496).  

I'll measure next time I go to the boat.  

GeorgeA

Ok cool

aero3113

The new Gen 7 Plus pumps are on the Hardin website now.

https://www.hardin-marine.com/p-16817-stainless-steel-gen-7-plus-sea-pump-for-mercury-350-mag-496-mag-****-82l-mag-and-502-mag-with-pulley.aspx

Dream_Inn

So, I'll bring back this old topic to the top once again.  Yesterday I noticed a small water spot on the bottom of my bilge.  I knew immediately what this was. Yep, started the motor and there was the leak from the bearing on my older Hardin pump.

So, I'm now in a dilemma.  Do I buy the $95 kit and replace all the pieces?  My answer is no because it will happen again and I honestly don't want to to go thru the effort, nor do I have the tools to pull it all apart.  I could just buy the newest hardin gen 7 pump, but, depending, one without pulley can ship this week.  The one with pulley, which is what I would want because my current one has the old Merc pulley I installed (that was a PITA), is backordered and won't ship until 6/16.  That is too long to not take the boat out!   There is another one that is Mercury with a nice pulley.

CP Performance - Replacement Complete Seawater Pump For Mercruiser Gen 7, with Pulley

Any thoughts??  I'm planning on ordering something today.  I definitely want a new pulley.  I would believe this one from Merc would have wear plates, right?  Don't they all have wear plates now?  My only thing is I'd have different impellers between the two motors, but not a huge deal.  Or should I just wait it out and buy the new hardin one.  Will it leak on my like the current one again?  I know some of you, especially Al, would just say to rebuild the one I have.  I don't have a press though to put in or remove the bearings.  I could rent a pulley puller I guess (for free from auto place), but I'd actually like to get rid of the old pulley (my other motor has the nice hardin pulley.

LaRea

I'd be inclined to order the Hardin pump, and continue using the leaking pump for a couple weeks.  How bad is the leak?  

aero3113

I agree with @LaRea

LaRea

Just in case the leaking pump fails before the Hardin pump arrives, you could buy an OEM pump and then return it if not needed.  

YYZRC

Also agreed with @LaRea but why not reach out to Hardin and nicely try to pull rank as a past customer who spent a good sum to buy from them previously? Perhaps they can expedite your order. 

Dream_Inn

LaRea said:

I'd be inclined to order the Hardin pump, and continue using the leaking pump for a couple weeks.  How bad is the leak?  

Definitely not usable as it is right now.  The minute that thing leaks, it is a mess.  It is throwing enough water over to hit the stbd engine as well.  It definitely just started cause I was in engine room last week and not a sign of any issue yet.  I went out on Wed for blue angels and didn't look in engine room until this weekend.  & even then, it had to just start because right now it hits that pulley and goes everywhere.  I had very minimal water in bilge as well.

I'll try what what YYZRC said and pull rank, but all the places currently have 6/15 or 6/16 as the date.  I just wonder how much better this new one actually is.  I think I got 4 years out of this one.  My last one by Merc got over 10 years.

LaRea

Tell Hardin you're an influencer, and you'll write a review of the new pump.  

YYZRC

LaRea said:

Tell Hardin you're an influencer, and you'll write a review of the new pump.  

True statement.  I am influenced by @Dream_Inn - I take stock tips from him so why not boat part recommendations?!

Dream_Inn

Man, this is really difficult!  Looks like there is no way to get the hardin one shipped until at least 6/16.  I'm awaiting a phone call back for the other way because it is not in stock either.  This really sucks!  I had some plans for the upcoming weekends that, well, aren't going to be planned anymore.  Pulling the parts and replacing them sure are looking like an option worth the $100 to try.  I just don't have a press of any sort to do it.  Has anyone replaced the bearings and seals inside the older hardin pumps?  @LaRea , did you?

LaRea

I have two Hardin pumps waiting for rebuild, but I can't find a puller that works.  I bought the Lisle 39000 puller that was recommended here, but it doesn't fit.  The hub for the Hardin pulley does not have a lip like a regular steering pump pulley.  

Once the hub is off, replacing the bearings is not difficult.  They posted a DIY video:
https://www.hardin-marine.com/p-15787-deluxe-rebuild-kit-for-gen-7-sea-pump-mercury-350-496-and-502-mag.aspx#video

Dream_Inn

I used some kind of puller when I first removed it from the Mercruiser pump.  It was an Autozone buy/borrow and then take back (that is the way you rent it from them).  Maybe I could try that.  I may also have luck taking it down to the marina with a 20 bill and ask them to do it.

I thought you had to pull the shaft out of the pump as well, which is what concerned me.  Is that not true?

Edit: yes, that is the video I watched.  My concern is the pushing out of the shaft and then also pushing off the bearings.  it doesn't look difficult, but you need some kind of press.  I have a car jack and also a vice.  Maybe I could makeshift something?  hmmm, I guess it would only cost 100 bucks to try and could save me time....still waiting for my phone call back...

Dream_Inn

LaRea said:

I have two Hardin pumps waiting for rebuild, but I can't find a puller that works.  I bought the Lisle 39000 puller that was recommended here, but it doesn't fit.  The hub for the Hardin pulley does not have a lip like a regular steering pump pulley. 

Would this work?  If so, I could buy it and have it by Friday and maybe get it fixed, if I can get the shaft off too.

https://www.amazon.com/Pulley-Installer-Remover-MerCruiser-Steering/dp/B084CXLCHC

LaRea

No, that puller is the same as the Lisle 39000.  It's made for pulleys that have a lip around the center, like this one.  The Hardin hub does not have a lip.  

LaRea

Harbor Freight has a 6-ton press at the Laurel store for $85.  

Dream_Inn

oh, well mine has a lip on it like that one in your picture.  I did pull it once before with the rental from Autozone.  So, I bought the kit and going to give it a try!  I will have the parts on Thursday.  I'll pull the pump today or tomorrow and try to get the pulley removed as well so I can be all set.  Heck, maybe I'll get the shaft removed before then too.  6-ton press may be interesting.  I'll have to look at the Baltimore store which is right around the corner for me.  @LaRea , did I hear you say you wanted yours done too??

LaRea

This is the hub on my Hardin pump.  The center part has no lip for a puller to grab.  And the outer section (with bolt holes) is around 2" diameter, but the puller is set up for maybe 1" diameter.  


And, yes I do plan to rebuild both pumps and keep them as spares.  

Aqua_Aura

Can you use a steering wheel puller on it

LaRea

A claw-type puller will not work.  I've tried 4-5 different ones.  The problem is that it's only grabbing the outer edge of that bolt ring.  When you crank the puller bolt, the pressure deforms the bolt ring like a cowboy hat, which makes it clamp down the shaft.  The harder you crank, the more it clamps down on the shaft.  

It would need a puller that applies pressure at the *inner* edge of the bottom, not the outer edge edge.  Or use a press, as shown in the video.  

Aqua_Aura

Did you use the type that you can use the 3 bolt holes and it pulls from there. They sure don't make it easier apparently. 

YYZRC

No machine shops around your area? I dropped my spare merc pump off at a metal fabricator for bearing replacement. It was under $50 including the new bearing. Renting pulley pullers etc seems like a lot of hassle. 

LaRea

You guys!  Read between the lines.  I am trying to justify buying a hydraulic press.  Jeez, lighten up on me.  

Joking.  I need to find somebody who can do it for me.  I know a guy.