SoCal Jet Boats

Tech Talk => Jet Pumps => Topic started by: Nordie on May 30, 2009, 02:12:55 PM

Title: berk je/a questions
Post by: Nordie on May 30, 2009, 02:12:55 PM
Anyway I have a good buddy that recently had a work accident and is in a wheelchair for a while...anyway before he got hurt he started tearing into his pump (berk je/a) he was wanting to clean up the impellar and a new wear ring...so he started asking me questions about how involved it would be to replace the bearings and what not...so I'm asking the peanut gallery...also the pump has an a on the end so I'm thinking it has an a cut impellar in it...he's running a fairly mild 350 chevy in it...so my question is should we put a b cut in it? Any sort of answers you got for me ill take I'll try to get over there and get some pictures of the hardware...I know the boat used to be an i/o that was converted
Title: Re: berk je/a questions
Post by: Oldsquirt on May 30, 2009, 02:41:57 PM
If the boat was converted from I/O to pump, it is quite unlikely that he has a JE pump. That is an "insert-style" and retrofitting it into a hull not molded for it would require major fiberglass work. Get pics to identify the pump.

The hardest part of removing the impeller is usually getting the nut loose. It pays to have the correct socket for the nut and for the splines at the front of shaft. If it is an original nut that has never been off, you will likely need to cut it off.

Even if the impeller is stamped "A", it may be smaller if someone trimmed it and didn't bother to mark it with the new size. A mild small block would probably want a "B" or smaller. Better to start large and trim down after seeing how it performs.
Title: Re: berk je/a questions
Post by: Nordie on May 30, 2009, 02:49:09 PM
yeah sorry i should have stated the other facts! impellar is off already...and the tag on the pump states the above berk je/a...i have access to a brand new still in the wrapping b cut...im about 99% sure it will fit even though the impellar was for a berk jg...i have been wrong before though...so my questions as follows since the bowl is off impellar etc etc is all off...should we go in there and replace the bearings? pump seems pretty nice stilll...and another question is...i remember seeing something about the shafts being machined...i personally havent ever tore into a pump, but i would like to get him in the right direction...as you guys know we are vegas based and finding someone to do the pump wont be easy....so i figured with good guidance maybe 3 heads could tackle this thing
Title: Re: berk je/a questions
Post by: Oldsquirt on May 30, 2009, 02:59:18 PM
Impellers are the same for Berk JA/B/C/E/F/G pumps. Have you seen the pump? Does it have a separate intake mounted to bottom of hull with suction housing bolted to it?

If no history of pump is known, it would definitely be a good idea to change the thrust bearing, seals and shaft packing.
Title: Re: berk je/a questions
Post by: Nordie on May 30, 2009, 03:55:08 PM
i know quite a while ago it was rebuilt but im sure it has a ton of hours on it! on a scale of 1-10 how difficult would it be to replace bearings packing seals and what not?
Title: Re: berk je/a questions
Post by: Oldsquirt on May 30, 2009, 04:06:46 PM
If it truly is a JE(and I still can't believe it is) first step is to remove the engine. JE pumps, being "insert" pumps, are bolted and epoxied into the hull. They are serviced in the hull, and the shaft comes out the front. After the engine is out of the way it's about a 2 for a mechanic, maybe a 5 for a typical backyarder. I believe you can find some of the instructions on Berkeley's website if you dont have the SELOC jet boat manual(available at Rex Marine, CP Performance, etc....)

If it is a JC or JG, you remove the pump from boat to service.

If the impeller is already off, there are only 2 packing gland nuts and 4 thrust bearing retainer bolts to remove before pulling shaft out. Removal of bearing from shaft will require a press or gear puller. Installation requires a press.
Title: Re: berk je/a questions
Post by: Nordie on May 30, 2009, 04:11:56 PM
i know its a je the plate on it states je...and the steering and controls are not in the jc jg ji place they are on the bottom and it has a ride plate...also it doesnt have the typical transom adapter and the cleanout is completely on the outside of the hull...
Title: Re: berk je/a questions
Post by: Oldsquirt on May 30, 2009, 04:14:42 PM
Somebody went to a lot of trouble to put the less desireable pump into that boat, then. I would very much like to see pics of the underside of the hull.
Title: Re: berk je/a questions
Post by: Nordie on May 30, 2009, 04:19:47 PM
i dont know maybe it was built with that pump i could be wrong...the boat was bought used in bullhead in 89 its an 86 and he has had it since i will try to get some pics when i get to his house probably next weekend...boat is a 21 open bow daytona...daycruiser...nice cruiser for him
Title: Re: berk je/a questions
Post by: SLCKREG on May 30, 2009, 06:20:40 PM
i dont know maybe it was built with that pump i could be wrong...the boat was bought used in bullhead in 89 its an 86 and he has had it since i will try to get some pics when i get to his house probably next weekend...boat is a 21 open bow daytona...daycruiser...nice cruiser for him
Daytona(tunnell) open bow??? Fwiw small block in a 21 is going to be a challenge. Don't trust a stamp, or the tag, the impeller could have been cut/worked on.
Title: Re: berk je/a questions
Post by: Nordie on May 30, 2009, 06:23:54 PM
not a tunnel...yeah i have thought about this on the impeller
Title: Re: berk je/a questions
Post by: IRRebel on May 30, 2009, 08:02:31 PM
The JE on the Moo is definately inset, ans et back, and as Oldsquirt said, prolly epoxied to the hull (Which was layed up specifically for this pump.)

(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi673.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fvv95%2FIrrebel%2FMoo%2520build%2FP5300035.jpg&hash=e6ec170b728ea1b1e35d2071540f38ce4d640e32)
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi673.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fvv95%2FIrrebel%2FMoo%2520build%2FP5300036.jpg&hash=00fa4e6512c573377549370d1ffe79d538676940)
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi673.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fvv95%2FIrrebel%2FMoo%2520build%2FP5300037.jpg&hash=1ccafb6a57726195bfdab5be5bdd3ade7c66e81e)
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi673.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fvv95%2FIrrebel%2FMoo%2520build%2FP5300038.jpg&hash=ac3ac211bab44a5b24c3c79a85bc16be72473752)

That being said, it is not un different from a set back custom install as Tom does on a regular basis.

From looking at it, it looks like the pump housing and intake are one piece, or it uses no intake piece at all (Which it appears more likely, as it seems mounted VERY low compared to my JC pumps). But the bowl looks the same as a JC bowl, save for all the cables coming out of the bottom of the transom and not the top.

I suppose it's possible to mount it more forward in a traditional location and use a normal Berk Transom adapter, might even be able to be bolted to a traditional intake housing as well, I dunno. I'll post more detailed pics of it when I get into the Place install this week or next.

Ray
Title: Re: berk je/a questions
Post by: Oldsquirt on May 30, 2009, 08:09:21 PM
The JE on the Moo is definately inset, ans et back, and as Oldsquirt said, prolly epoxied to the hull (Which was layed up specifically for this pump.)


That being said, it is not un different from a set back custom install as Tom does on a regular basis.

From looking at it, it looks like the pump housing and intake are one piece, or it uses no intake piece at all (Which it appears more likely, as it seems mounted VERY low compared to my JC pumps). But the bowl looks the same as a JC bowl, save for all the cables coming out of the bottom of the transom and not the top.

I suppose it's possible to mount it more forward in a traditional location and use a normal Berk Transom adapter, might even be able to be bolted to a traditional intake housing as well, I dunno. I'll post more detailed pics of it when I get into the Place install this week or next.

Ray

The "intake" of a JE/JF is the hull itself. As you can see, it is molded in a unique shape to fit the "suction housing" of the pump. No options on moving forward or back due to the need to fit the molded shape of hull. It definitely cannot be used with a conventional intake and T/A.

JE bowl is same as JC and can be swapped to a JG. JF bowl is slightly different and needs some modification to work on a JC/JE/JG. Pump shaft, bearings, seal are the same in all 4 designs.
Title: Re: berk je/a questions
Post by: IRRebel on May 30, 2009, 08:12:58 PM
Yeah, I guess it was already answered while I was busy loading pictures and fugging around, lol

Ray
Title: Re: berk je/a questions
Post by: Oldsquirt on May 30, 2009, 08:18:50 PM
Daytona(tunnell) open bow??? Fwiw small block in a 21 is going to be a challenge. Don't trust a stamp, or the tag, the impeller could have been cut/worked on.

Kreg, he is referring to the company "Daytona", not Eliminator Daytona.

Yep, a small block in a big heavy daycruiser will definitely be at a disadvantage.
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