Got a nice crack in the impeller housing, weld it?

[fst89lx]

Stripped my 91 sj yesterday and when I was looking at the underside I noticed a nice crack in the impeller housing. I'm pretty sure it has been like that since I bought the ski but who knows. Also since I'm not sure if there was/is supposed to be a sh*tload of silicone around that part but there was (I'm assuming that the previous owner did that to avoid leakage due to the crack...). Can this be welded up or do I have to buy a new housing?

Also whats the metal ring for? I tried to look it up on a parts fische and all I can find is a part described as "packing" The pic on the fische looks like the rubber gasket or seal that is still stuck to the ski.

Lastly since I'm here, those metal tubes that run through the hull & are connected by rubber lines to what appears to be a water pickup in the engine compartment, is that the stock "drain" and can I remove those tubes and fiberglass over the holes? (I'm running aftermarket bilge pump).

Thanks!

 

[tom21]

hmm well I will take a stab at it- the ring looks like what should be the reinforcement for the rubber seal still stuck to the pump shoe. just a guess.

the wear ring isn't broken all the way across yet but it will be soon. unless your ring is mint inside which I would guess its not looking at the work thats been done- I would have to say get a new one. you got two options there- the stock one which will corrode eventually or one with a plastic liner- which can be replaced for like 30 bucks when it wears. the stainless will last longer and the plastic is cheaper easier to replace but won't hold up as long. initially both will cost near the same.

also if there are bumps that have been hitting the impeller you may as well get that replaced too. now is a good time to reseal and repack the bearings in the pump.

there are two lines going in- one is the water line for cooling and the other goes to the bilge- should have a 90 degree elbow on it. you can cap it off in case you want dual cooling or need it for something else later.

also you didn't need to pull the screws for the pump shoe and you can leave the cable for the steering installed. the cap comes off and the plastic seal stays screwed in if you want to remove the cable. I know you didn't ask, but I saw it so you got my .02.

 

[fst89lx]

hmm well I will take a stab at it- the ring looks like what should be the reinforcement for the rubber seal still stuck to the pump shoe. just a guess.

the wear ring isn't broken all the way across yet but it will be soon. unless your ring is mint inside which I would guess its not looking at the work thats been done- I would have to say get a new one.
what is the "wear ring" (sorry this is my first ski so the parts/pieces & terms are still new to me) next, CAN the crack be welded or is it just a bad idea? I know a new one would be ideal but funds are lacking so if welding this one could get me by that would be just great! you got two options there- the stock one which will corrode eventually or one with a plastic liner- which can be replaced for like 30 bucks when it wears. the stainless will last longer and the plastic is cheaper easier to replace but won't hold up as long. initially both will cost near the same.


also if there are bumps that have been hitting the impeller you may as well get that replaced too. now is a good time to reseal and repack the bearings in the pump.
It has a solas impeller in it, YB-SC-C (too tall for my 650 & sizzler pipe from what I gather but no biggie at this moment) with dings in the leading edges of the blades but nothing too severe that can't be handled w/ a file) Checked the bearings and they look good.
there are two lines going in- one is the water line for cooling and the other goes to the bilge- should have a 90 degree elbow on it. you can cap it off in case you want dual cooling or need it for something else later.


also you didn't need to pull the screws for the pump shoe and you can leave the cable for the steering installed. the cap comes off and the plastic seal stays screwed in if you want to remove the cable. I know you didn't ask, but I saw it so you got my .02.About the pump shoe, with those screws out, should it just slide right out of there or is it supposed to be sealed in? (mine is sealed in real good lol) & yes I did want to remove the cable but did not know that the seal stayed screwed in, thank you!

Got another question, while the boat is tore down should I install a pisser?
Thanks!

 

[ANT]

if you ride in salt water, or if the previous owner rode in slatwater, trash the ring and get a new one it is probably starting to swell. Welding it would be scetchy unless you know someone who has a TIG/ heliarc welder and knows what their doing. Any other kind of weld will probably put that bolt hold and part of the ring out of shape a little. Any shop is gonna charge you a 1hr minimum to weld it which will prolly be a minimum of $70 so your better off buying a new one.

You don't need silicone there, that rubber ring is there to seal it. That metal ring, if it didnt come out of the rubber packing, looks like something somebody used to try to get the pump to seal tighter.

DON'T remove those tubes, they hook to your pump and thats how the engine is cooled.

You should probably install a pisser not that it needs one, but more for the fact so that you can see if your ski is flowing water.

 

[fst89lx]

if you ride in salt water, or if the previous owner rode in slatwater, trash the ring and get a new one it is probably starting to swell. Welding it would be scetchy unless you know someone who has a TIG/ heliarc welder and knows what their doing. Any other kind of weld will probably put that bolt hold and part of the ring out of shape a little. Any shop is gonna charge you a 1hr minimum to weld it which will prolly be a minimum of $70 so your better off buying a new one.

You don't need silicone there, that rubber ring is there to seal it. That metal ring, if it didnt come out of the rubber packing, looks like something somebody used to try to get the pump to seal tighter.

DON'T remove those tubes, they hook to your pump and thats how the engine is cooled.

You should probably install a pisser not that it needs one, but more for the fact so that you can see if your ski is flowing water.

I think I'm the third owner of the ski, I bought it from a kid who lives in Indiana, but the ski had MI registration from a previous owner and I too live in MI so no saltwater as far as I can tell.

Have a good friend that owns a fab/welding shop who'll do the tig welding probably for free thats why I want to know if I can try it first since it won't cost me anything. (I'm not trying to be difficult about this whole welding thing but like I said I'm trying to make my $$ stretch as far as possible)

Tubes will be staying in and looks like I'll be adding a pisser.