I figured it was about time to inspect the impeller on my H380. Jeeesh, I spent a solid hour trying to get to the screws in the backing plate. I finally gave up and called a mechanic friend to see if he knew of an easier way to get the thing off, or should I start removing items from the engine to gain better access. He said I could remove the alternator etc, but he normally just lays over the engine yadda yadda yadda ( I was thinking how that didn't seemt to be working for me... Anyway, between then and when I went back to the boat I saw an ad for "speed seal" which is basically a backing plate with big thumb screws, and the way the plate is designed, you don't have to remove the 2 screws that are hardest to get to. I ordered the product, finally got my plate off, removed the impeller, (it was in pretty bad shape) put the new plate on with the new screws, and then took it back off to see how the removal process compared to the old one. Wow. If you own a H380 this product is well worth the 50 bucks or so and will make an impeller change in heavy conditions much, much easier. I am not being compensated or anything by this company, I was so pleased with how well it worked I thought I would let you know! Brian C. s/v CREW REST
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Going to also!
Good to hear that! I bought a speed seal last year but haven't installed it yet. This spring I am going to install a Bomar 8x12 inch access port in the wall of the head to be able to easily get to the impeller area. I am then going to install the speed seal plus new impeller. Its probably about time on my 376 but the problem of getting to it has led me to keep putting it off.
Good to hear that! I bought a speed seal last year but haven't installed it yet. This spring I am going to install a Bomar 8x12 inch access port in the wall of the head to be able to easily get to the impeller area. I am then going to install the speed seal plus new impeller. Its probably about time on my 376 but the problem of getting to it has led me to keep putting it off.
GB I think?
It was from England I think. It only took about a week to get here. I think it would be a great addition to the chandlery if you could stock them.. The people I spoke with their seemed very knowledgeble (unlike me) and friendly and eager to get the word out about the product. Cheers Brian C. s/v CREW REST
It was from England I think. It only took about a week to get here. I think it would be a great addition to the chandlery if you could stock them.. The people I spoke with their seemed very knowledgeble (unlike me) and friendly and eager to get the word out about the product. Cheers Brian C. s/v CREW REST
Another way to make it easy
I used a sabre saw to cut a hole thru the head wall and installed a plastic Bomar hatch that gives me a 14x16 opening (Bowmar G 81618-w).The head wall is 1/8+ fiberglas backed with 3/4 plywood which is the wall on the salon side. There is an approx 1/4 inch gap between them, but both are cut at the same time. It was a simple job. I have easy access to the whole side of the engine. The nice thing is the easy access to the starter and its connections as well as the impeller. The hole poses no structural question, I double checked this with a Hunter engineer. The parts cost is about $75. Allan
I used a sabre saw to cut a hole thru the head wall and installed a plastic Bomar hatch that gives me a 14x16 opening (Bowmar G 81618-w).The head wall is 1/8+ fiberglas backed with 3/4 plywood which is the wall on the salon side. There is an approx 1/4 inch gap between them, but both are cut at the same time. It was a simple job. I have easy access to the whole side of the engine. The nice thing is the easy access to the starter and its connections as well as the impeller. The hole poses no structural question, I double checked this with a Hunter engineer. The parts cost is about $75. Allan
impeller change
Take the starter out .Turn off the battery, then take out the 2 starter bolts .You dont have to disconnet the wires, you can get the impeller out easy then..
Take the starter out .Turn off the battery, then take out the 2 starter bolts .You dont have to disconnet the wires, you can get the impeller out easy then..
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