Spacers for water pump alignment

[Dougcole]

Hi All,

Kohler updated the water pump for my generator (8EOZ) a few years back and it now includes a sort of integrated bracket. When my old pump was finished I upgraded to the new style. AT first it seemed fine, but I was getting a lot of belt dust and wear, to the point where I would have to tighten the belt every 20 hours or so. My mechanic took a quick look at it and said he thought it was aligned OK, but on our recent Bahamas trip it reached the point where I could not handle it any longer and I dug into it deeper.

It was very slightly out of alignment, somewhere between 1/16" and 1/8". I jury rigged it by slipping three or four extra washers on two of the mounting bolts, which is working, but it seems janky to me. Is it possible to buy spacers? Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Doug

 

[Mac2]

Did they say why they "upgraded" the pump? Does Kohler have to many pump belts....

 

[Dougcole]

Did they say why they "upgraded" the pump? Does Kohler have to many pump belts....

It's a little different bracket, it does make it a bit easier to change the impeller.

 

[Mac2]

Did you install the same pulley that was on the old pump? Otherwise, I don't think you can do much better than the washers without paying a bunch of money.

 

[jleonard]

Try McMaster Carr for spacers or thick washers.

 

[Delta Riverat]

I see nothing wrong with a washer or 2. Now if you are talking an inch high stack of 20...

 

[Dougcole]

Did you install the same pulley that was on the old pump? Otherwise, I don't think you can do much better than the washers without paying a bunch of money.

The new pump comes with a pulley attached.

 

[C lectric]

Have you considered approaching a machine shop to make you a properly fitted washer/spacer? Any friends with a lathe or schools nearby with shop classes?

 

[Mac2]

The new pump comes with a pulley attached.

I would make sure the new pulley matches the old one I.e. same width and depth. That could account for excessive dust if it doesn't match.

 

[SIBERNUT]

If you have the room, lay a known straight piece of anything in the groove of the 2 pulleys. Should be true. Then across the faces of the pulleys. Faces should be parallel but not necessarily even.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. D. I'm with Mr. DR (post #6). A few washers to bring everything into alignment is quite fine.
I get a strong sense that we may be kindred spirits in this regard...If it were me I would also be considering some sort of one piece "spacer" just because it seems "better" than a bunch of washers, in a way BUT if your nut has full purchase on the mounting stud I would install the appropriate number of, properly sized (SS if you wish) washers, put a dab of Loctite on the nut and call it done!

Sit back, relax and have a cocktail with the memsa'b.

 

[Dougcole]

If you have the room, lay a known straight piece of anything in the groove of the 2 pulleys. Should be true. Then across the faces of the pulleys. Faces should be parallel but not necessarily even.

Yeah, that's how I tested it, I put a long screwdriver across both faces, they were not quite parallel. I put washers on three of the five bolts, the three that are closer to the drive pulley.

It worked, but the bad part about it is that I have to pull the pump to change the impeller and slipping those washers on the bolts, along with the spacers, is tough to do without dropping them, very fiddley. A single spacer would be easier.

 

[Dougcole]

Have you considered approaching a machine shop to make you a properly fitted washer/spacer? Any friends with a lathe or schools nearby with shop classes?

I guess I could take to old spacers to them, along with the number of washers I used to get it right and ask them to duplicate it? It would be super hard to get an accurate measurement.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. d. Ah. I see the reasoning now. Just glue the washers together=one piece.