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thunderbolt 500 first timer water pump change

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Ta2guru13

New member
this is my first boat and I haven't got it running yet but was told that since it sat for about a year to go ahead and do the water pump and impeller. Could anyone give me and easy rundown for how to do this and what to make sure I do and don't do? or tips and tricks so I don't mess anything up? Thanks in advance guys
 
There are a lot of videos on youtube. But quick run down.
Put outboard in FWD.Undo the five nuts,5/8",I think. One visible at the front,one either side of the lower unit,one either side under the cavitation plate,and then the sneaky bolt,7/16" under the trim tab.The lower unit should slide out.
Remove the rubber ring and the the three small nuts,3/8" and screw on the pump cover,it should come off with a wee bit of light persuasion if necessary. The impeller should slide off and watch for the key that holds the impeller in place.
If you need to change the base,which I would leave alone unless absolutely necessary,pry it out gently,note the way the gaskets come out and replace in the same way,replace the o-ring,lube it with wash up liquid fit new one,put new impeller on making sure the key is in place,flat bit on drive shaft.Lube inside of pump cover with soap liquid,push cover down over the impeller with a clockwise direction to turn the vanes the right way.
Don't tighten the nuts too much. There should be a small plastic tube in the kit or if it wasn't there when you removed the lower unit,check up the water tube.It's to guide the water tube into the pump.Replace the rubber ring.
Make sure lower unit is in fwd,prop locks one way and ratchets the other,push lower unit on,you may need help here,someone to turn the flywheel clockwise until drive mates up.
Good luck
 
Thank you very much for the rundown. One other question only because I did see it in a YouTube video about disconnecting the fwd/rev/neutral linkage. Is that a part of this procedure? Again thanks in advance.
 
Nope no need to undo the linkage as the shift shaft slides out of the shift rod/lever when the lower unit drops.That is why the lower unit and the control must be in the same gear for reassembly.
 
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