marine power shows a bracket. Is this nescessary, or will it work just as well without it?
The bracket is a anti-torque arm, or anti-rotational arm, intended to prevent the pump body from turning against impeller resistance.... or worst case, bearing seizure.
As someone posting on this forum, and installing these for customers, I have to suggest using the arm.
As per real world experience, I'd say that the arm is not completely necessary.
The impeller resistance is not all that great.
If an impeller or seized bearing was to generate enough force to spin the pump body, I think that we'd have more serious issues.
I've been running these pumps on twin engines without the arms for years. My supply hose arrangement is such that the hose provides the anti-torque...... and I've had no issues to date.
I do have the arms, and will likely install them some day.
If asking whether or not to install it..... I'd say yes! Cheap insurance!
Edit:
The other beauty of the crankshaft pump, is the ease of impeller maintenance.
Four screws with the Johnson, and you're right there with impeller access.
Also, this pump allows us to easily remove the impeller for winter lay up. You'd be surprised at how much this will extend the life of an impeller when it's been removed for the lay up duration.
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