Engine Rotation

[Smitty]

Okay, here's one I oughta know but don't. Westerbeke W13A in an '86 Cal 28. Looking from the front of the engine aft, which way does the engine turn? I know I should be able to just touch the starter and tell, but I'm hoping I can get an answer without resorting to that.

I want to make sure I put the impeller in the sea water pump correctly.

--Smitty

 

[Warren Milberg]

I doubt it makes much difference which way the blades lay when you install a new impeller in your raw water pump. As soon as the engine turns over, the blades will sort themselves out and that will not harm them. I usually squirt a bit of non-detergent liquid soap into the impeller housing to ease the chore and lubricate the impeller when it first turns.

FYI, I had this same "discussion" with Nigel Calder in "Sail" magazine some time ago. He had stated that it was important to install an impeller in the "right" direction. Upon reflection (and supported by Don Casey) he eventually agreed with me....

 

[Smitty]

I doubt it makes much difference which way the blades lay when you install a new impeller in your raw water pump. As soon as the engine turns over, the blades will sort themselves out and that will not harm them. I usually squirt a bit of non-detergent liquid soap into the impeller housing to ease the chore and lubricate the impeller when it first turns.

FYI, I had this same "discussion" with Nigel Calder in "Sail" magazine some time ago. He had stated that it was important to install an impeller in the "right" direction. Upon reflection (and supported by Don Casey) he eventually agreed with me....

Thanks for the response. However, I'm convinced that if you set the blades the "wrong" way, the first rotation in the opposite direction could snap off one or more as they are forced to flip over. I'd also really like to know what's meant by the statement that most engines turn clockwise. Looked at from which end? I would still appreciate knowing which way mine should turn when looked at from forward facing aft.

 

[Ross]

First of all if you impellor breaks from bending the vanes the wrong way it is time to change it.

 

[Mike Holibar]

Most engines would be clockwise viewed from the front looking aft and the propeller would run in the opposite direction when engaged ahead, i.e anti clockwise when veiwed from ahead, clockwise or right hand when viewed from astern. Cheers,

 

[Smitty]

It's a brand new impeller (I replace it every spring). I just wasn't sure I could trust it to do that fast flip. When I went to replace last season's impeller, there was a missing blade. Had to pull half the sea water loop apart to find it. It suddenly dawned on me that maybe a wrong way install could be the culprit. It sounds like the consensus is that's not a problem.

Thanks all for the responses. I feel better about it now.

--Smitty

 

[Ross]

Smitty, You should be able to twist the vanes 90 dgrees with your fingers without harm. If they break that way you have a very old impellor.

 

[Steve Dion]

It does not make any difference which way the blades are facing. Just put it the pump and hit the starter. The blade will be facing in the correct position immediately.