New Raw Water Pump

[TG3]

I just replaced my water pump with a rebuilt unit. Pumps great, engine temp running nice and cool.

It makes a noise that the old one didn’t, very hard to describe, not a click more like a swoosh and it is very rhythmic.

I took a close look at it and it is cocked slightly to the to the left (if you are facing the bow of the boat) so the pulley is misaligned with the belt slightly. I think this is what is causing the noise.

See attached picture, I think it is this bolt (Circled in red) on the pump body that is causing it not to sit correctly against the brackets.

Is there supposed to be a spacer washer or something between the pump body and the bracket? Old pump didn’t have anything spacing it, but I also didn’t notice if it was misaligned.

Any ideas?

[MTRBTR]

It might be just the angle of your picture but I used to have a 97 and I don’t think the bracket should be pressed against the bolt like that.

[TG3]

It might be just the angle of your picture but I used to have a 97 and I don’t think the bracket should be pressed against the bolt like that.

You are seeing that correctly, the bolt is pressed against the bracket. Unfortunately I don't remember if the old pump did that too and I have sent it back as a core to the rebuilder, so I can't check.

[MTRBTR]

Are you using the same belt? It seems like the pump should be tilted out a little more which would either require the belt to be alot tighter or a larger belt. If you are using a different belt maybe check it against the size of your old one.
I always took a large screw driver and pried the pump out as far as I could before I tightened that final bracket bolt. It seems if you could pull it a little tighter the bolt might clear. I looked through my old pictures but didnt have one of the pump unfortunately.

[TG3]

Are you using the same belt? It seems like the pump should be tilted out a little more which would either require the belt to be alot tighter or a larger belt. If you are using a different belt maybe check it against the size of your old one.
I always took a large screw driver and pried the pump out as far as I could before I tightened that final bracket bolt. It seems if you could pull it a little tighter the bolt might clear. I looked through my old pictures but didnt have one of the pump unfortunately.

Yes, same belt. How tight should it be?

[kylant]

bolt should clear the bracket

[gary s]

You are seeing that correctly, the bolt is pressed against the bracket. Unfortunately I don't remember if the old pump did that too and I have sent it back as a core to the rebuilder, so I can't check.

I posted a picture on the other site that the bolt does in fact rest against the bracket using OEM PCM belts as well. Don't know how many pictures of this you need to confirm.......

[gary s]

Who was the person/company who rebuilt your current pump?

[Jonny Quest]

You can always grind the bolt head down a bit for better fitment.

[MTRBTR]

I would defer to garyS, those core CCF guys are pretty knowledgeable. Which way is it mis- aligned? A washer might help depending on which way you need to move.

[TG3]

Who was the person/company who rebuilt your current pump?

I posted this on both forums, the more the merrier! I got the pump from Raw Pumps LLC. He had good ratings.

[gary s]

Since it's a rainy day here I did some checking. The pump on my complete engine above has a .006 clearance between the bolt head on the pump and the pumps mounting bracket. I released the belt tension it was still at .006 I then took an extra pump and a mounting bracket, assembled them and measured that one at .020 I would guess yours might be the same. What I suspect is bearing quality- bearings are sold as to grade,obviously the better finish the more they cost. I have done 4 Sherwoods, 2 I sourced my own parts,1 I bought a kit and another was from another pump supply purchased by the pumps owner. The kit I bought advertised as a Sherwood, the bearings,not marked as to manufacturer, before the seal was installed was noticeably rougher than the others. The ones I sourced were NTN's. The 4th pump's bearings were not marked either but were smooth when spun. I'm thinking that the bearings are making some of that noise which is amplified through the mass of the engine. My boat,a V drive,makes so much noise compared to a direct drive so you just notice it more

[TG3]

Thanks Gary.

Went to the lake this weekend and while there did some investigating.

Turns out that the noise is actually coming from my alternator. Pump is running smooth and quiet. The slight out of alignment doesn't appear to be enough to wear the belt abnormally. I will keep an eye on that just to be sure.

Thanks to all for your help!