Speedseal

[jssailem]

Speed seal looks like a decent product. There customer service might be marginal. Wonder if it would be a product to buy and market? Thoughts?

With all the problems would you buy a replacement?

 

[dlochner]

Speed seal looks like a decent product. There customer service might be marginal. Wonder if it would be a product to buy and market? Thoughts?

With all the problems would you buy a replacement?

I'd buy one again. Had one on my last boat, it just hadn't reach the top of the list on the new boat and he closed up shop.

 

[jssailem]

I had a similar experience. Tried to place an order after learning about the unit, only to find out he closed the business. Not sure of the status. But interested.

 

[SG]

I’m confused?. What are the problems? A plate on the normal ware pump erodes too. You have to replace or turn those over, too.

If you want to replace you impeller pump cover quickly and reliably, these unit do it. If you don’t replace the impeller offshore, when the engine is hot, drop little screws into inaccessible places, use your engine very much — then they aren’t useful. If you do, these things — or might have to, then a lot of people really like them.

As with almost anything for recreational marine use, it’s a thin market.

 

[jssailem]

I find the design thoughtful, a practical one. It facilitates the frequency of impeller replacement. This is a good thing.

 

[dlochner]

The key features of the Speed Seal were the thumb screws and the 2 screw holes that were slots and not holes.

For those who haven't seen or used one, two thumb screws were partially screwed into the pump, the cover then slide under these screws and the screws tightened. Then the other 2 screws could be installed. This eliminated the juggling of the screws and cover.

The third feature was eliminating the gasket by using an O ring or in later models the installation of a delrin gasket to prevent leaks.

Is there a reason OEM screws can't be replaced with thumb screws to at least make handling the screws easier?

 

[SG]

Plate is thicker and it has two of screws in slotted openings.

 

[All U Get]

The key features of the Speed Seal were the thumb screws and the 2 screw holes that were slots and not holes.

For those who haven't seen or used one, two thumb screws were partially screwed into the pump, the cover then slide under these screws and the screws tightened. Then the other 2 screws could be installed. This eliminated the juggling of the screws and cover.

The third feature was eliminating the gasket by using an O ring or in later models the installation of a delrin gasket to prevent leaks.

Is there a reason OEM screws can't be replaced with thumb screws to at least make handling the screws easier?

The part in question is a floating piece of bronze and another of delrin that’s the size of the impeller. It was the part of the cap that was to reduce wear by rotation. Once it got off-center, it scores the cap and pump.

 

[dlochner]

The plate is thicker because of the embedded O-ring or in the later model the delrin bearing.

My thinking on the thumb screws is they are easier to handle than the little screws that are standard.

 

[Rich Stidger]

The part in question is a floating piece of bronze and another of delrin that’s the size of the impeller. It was the part of the cap that was to reduce wear by rotation. Once it got off-center, it scores the cap and pump.

Exactly correct. The holes in the plate and the diameter of the thumbscrews allow too much slop and if you are not very careful to align the outside edge of the plate with the outside edge of the pump housing before tightening the thumbscrews, the cover will be off center. For the original SpeedSeal with covers that have no bearing to rotate, this misalignment is inconsequential. However the SpeedSeal LIfe with the rotating bearing any off-center alignment will produce a sideways movement of the bearing. This movement will wear the plate and for Tom (All U Get) the pump housing as well. The slop in the hole to thumbscrew is 0.019 and that resulted in exactly the same amount of wear and in the direction of the slots. I have details and pictures if anyone is interested.

 

[All U Get]

Here’s the speedseal cover and my measurements. Center hole on the bronze bearing increased .02 of an inch and total diameter reduced .06 of an inch. The cover speaks for itself.
.

I flipped the cover using it like any cover but using the thumb screws. Thumb screws, good name.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Here’s the speedseal cover and my measurements. Center hole on the bronze bearing increased .02 of an inch and total diameter reduced .06 of an inch. The cover speaks for itself.
View attachment 173286.View attachment 173288View attachment 173289

I flipped the cover using it like any cover but using the thumb screws. Thumb screws, good name.

Your measurements agree closely with mine. It clearly is a design fault with the SpeedSeal Life product.

 

[dLj]

Would SBO be in a position to take over this product line?

I don't know what kind of marketing arm SBO has other than this web site. That might need some work...

Perhaps with a bit of help from members, they could - @jssailem - @Captain Larry-DH - @Rich Stidger. I'd be happy to input engineering skills, if desired....

Just a thought....

dj

 

[All U Get]

The bronze bearing reduced.01 in thickness but the delrin remained about the same. Should have just used the delrin and not have any wear.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

Would SBO be in a position to take over this product line?

I don't know what kind of marketing arm SBO has other than this web site. That might need some work...

Perhaps with a bit of help from members, they could - @jssailem - @Captain Larry-DH - @Rich Stidger. I'd be happy to input engineering skills, if desired....

Just a thought....

dj

Thanks @dLj but I don't need any help to figure out how not to retire

 

[SG]

What was wrong with the original? A little wear on the plate before you eventually turned it over after 1,000 engine hours, or more.

 

[All U Get]

What was wrong with the original? A little wear on the plate before you eventually turned it over after 1,000 engine hours, or more.

Zoom in and you’ll see where the bronze bearing scored off center nearing the o-ring. The pump would then leak once it ate through that area. The engine would soonly overheat. Both the cover and pump have been scored. Just the type of Christmas present everyone wishes for.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

soonly

... and a new word is born

 

[SG]

Zoom in and you’ll see where the bronze bearing scored off center nearing the o-ring. The pump would then leak once it ate through that area. The engine would soonly overheat. Both the cover and pump have been scored. Just the type of Christmas present everyone wishes for.

I have had the “original” Speedseal units. (I.e. without the pads.) The units are on a Westerbeake.Gen set and our main propulsion Yanmar engine. Other than flipping over the plate for emotional reasons, they haven’t leaked. We have over 2,400 hours on each. I’m not sure why he “improved” the design? They make changing the impeller a lot easier. The only times I had to replace impellers (other than as preventive maintenance) have been on the Genset. That has been when nettles or eel grass block the strainers or intake through hull.

 

[Rich Stidger]

The talk here of flipping the plate over and praise for the SpeedSeal suggests to me that users are happy with the ORIGINAL SpeedSeal design where the cover is flat on both sides and can be flipped if wear appears.

The others, some of whom are unhappy because of destructive wear on the cover plate and inner bearing parts are using the SpeedSeal Life version. The cover plate on the "LIFE" model cannot be flipped because the inner surface is machined to accommodate the rotating disks that were designed to eliminate friction and subsequent impeller failure. It is those rotating disks that cause the wear due to the design allowing them to be aligned off center.