Thanks to you, Ron Hill and his May 2002 rebuild article, the Sailnet discussion, and a fine Sunday afternoon.
In 1999, when our new-to-us boat's raw water pump started leaking, I went to the local Universal dealer, who said: "It'll cost more to rebuild your pump than to buy a new one."
Being A NEWBIE, I did. Actually, it was a pretty neat deal: $176 + tax in 1999 $$s, and all it took was four nuts on the studs to remove the pump and replace it.
Recently, I've seen evidence of leaks (see the Critical Upgrades sticky topic for "checking your engine").
Time for a costly new pump?
Wait!!! I'd read about rebuilding a pump. I read Ron's Tech Notes article, and then literally stumbled across the linked Sailnet discussion.
I bought the Allen wrench, and with the help of a neighbor's grinder, cut it down and got to work.
It was SCARY at first, whacking the pump's innards, but once I realized that the pump is like a tank and the seals are simple replacement parts that can get knocked out, removed and replaced, it became much easier.
Using a pair of needle nosed vice grips makes holding the wrench pretty easy, if not necessary.
The idea from Sailnet about the 12P nail worked, too, 'cuz the Ron Hill tool may be too thick to get between the carbon bushing and the water seal.
Sweet feeling when the old ones came out.
Easy to get the new ones back in with a piece of wood and a socket.
Another helpful link that links back here:
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/diesel-engine-forum/60992-rebuilding-oberdorfer-pump.htmlThis link is important because it shows the tool that Ron Hill built to get the old seals out (1/4 inch hex head Allen wrench ground down to fit). second picture, link to Ron's article:
http://www.c34.org/mainsheet/pdf/May_2002.pdf
The C34 Tech wiki also has that article:
http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Raw_water_pump,_impellers_and_cooling_system