Remove impeller pulley on 6BY2-260

[jaredjensen]

I'm trying to replace the impeller on our R29 Classic to complete baseline service after taking delivery a few months ago. I have the Lisle stretch belt removal tool, but don't see how I can turn the crankshaft pulley. There are four little indentations around the pulley hub that look like a special tool might be required.

Anyone have some tips?

 

[vertigo]

I'm trying to replace the impeller on our R29 Classic to complete baseline service after taking delivery a few months ago. I have the Lisle stretch belt removal tool, but don't see how I can turn the crankshaft pulley. There are four little indentations around the pulley hub that look like a special tool might be required.

Anyone have some tips?

On our boat, a tight grip with clean hands, and a liberal application of salty words is all it took to get that belt off, and back on again. 😀

 

[jaredjensen]

On our boat, a tight grip with clean hands, and a liberal application of salty words is all it took to get that belt off, and back on again. 😀

Huh, that's amazing because that belt is super tight and not much stretch given the short distance between pulleys. I have no shortage of salty words, so I should be good in that department.

Did you reuse the belt, and were you able to reinstall it without tools, as well?

 

[vertigo]

On our boat, a tight grip with clean hands, and a liberal application of salty words is all it took to get that belt off, and back on again. 😀

Huh, that's amazing because that belt is super tight and not much stretch given the short distance between pulleys. I have no shortage of salty words, so I should be good in that department.

Did you reuse the belt, and were you able to reinstall it without tools, as well?

Yes, we reused the belt since it appeared to be in fine condition, though we carry two spares on board and will probably put a fresh one on in the next few weeks.

To be honest, I merely watched and contributed to the salty benedictions while the "senior engineer" performed the procedure, though I recall him using a small prybar also on the reinstall.

 

[knotflying]

Although off center can you get a socket on one of the bolts and turn?

 

[seadot]

I wedge it in between the pulley and belt, and turn the ignition key for a fraction of a second. This works about 50% of the time. The other 50%, the stretch belt removal tool falls off so you'll need to put a towel or something similar to ensure the tool does not fall into the bilge. After a couple of tries, you'll have success. Be careful not to turn the ignition key for more than a fraction of a second or the engine could start.

 

[Captmike]

I had to replace my water pump as it was beginning to corrode. There are three bolts holding the water pump. Take out the bolts and the entire housing comes off along with the belt. Inspect the pump housing and replace the impeller. It's a lot easier than replacing the impeller. The water pump attaches easily. I put the belt (after inspection) back on by using a socket wrench on the flywheel (checked with Andrew and he approved). Hope that helps.

 

[knotflying]

I wedge it in between the pulley and belt, and turn the ignition key for a fraction of a second. This works about 50% of the time. The other 50%, the stretch belt removal tool falls off so you'll need to put a towel or something similar to ensure the tool does not fall into the bilge. After a couple of tries, you'll have success. Be careful not to turn the ignition key for more than a fraction of a second or the engine could start.

To each his own, but I wouldn't do that. If that engine starts there could be physical human damage.

 

[jaredjensen]

Thanks for all the input. I went down to the boat today and managed to get the belt off fairly easily with a small pry bar, protecting the pulley with a folded up paper towel. After swapping the impeller, I took the belt up to NAPA to get a replacement and spare, but it was way too tight to get back on. So I picked up a torx socket set and used the Lisle belt tool with a breaker bar on one of the four torx bolts as suggested to put the belt back on.

It took me a couple hours spread over several boat visits to complete this job, but I think I could do it again in about 15 minutes now.

 

[Todd]

I was able to make a tool for this but it required a lathe and mill. Not easy but it works great. They should sell a tool!

 

[bobmiller801]

Does anyone know the size of the torx bolts on the flywheel?