I have a 78 Challenger with a WJ Squirt and the skagg's on the bottom of the boat (intake) are EXTREMELY worn and need to be replaced .Do I need to remove the whole pump or is this something I can do from the bottom of the boat,on the trailer? And any I idea what one of those thing's cost? I dont have the boat here at the house so I am unable to look at it and see what it might take to do this repair. 

Post some photos.  That might help too.

Skee Its been a long Hectic week I'll have some good "skinny " tommorow' on this Tom

 

The Hondo has a similar problem with the intake on the WJ.  But mine has a piece broken off on the leading edge about the size of a silver dollar (if anyone remembers those).

I've been told to have someone weld a piece into the existing intake with it still in the boat (fill the inside of the boat with ice water to keep from doing damage  ).  I've been told to just grind down both sides to make them the same until ready to replace the intake assembly.

So far I haven't done anything, and don't normally run the boat hard enough to see a serious problem yet.

I will be watching to see what responce you get from Tom.

Sorry for the delays here Skee (and Crew), just been slammed! First of all Crew, I've heard the same thing re "weld /Ice water, yada, yada ... not suprisingly I think it was Jim Rich who possibly authored that.  I'd say that method has the huge potential to be a "Darwin Award" nominee or an aftermath photo caption of "whats wrong with this picture" or "hey ya'll watch this"  (just my 02,might work?) 

Second We are an Authorized NAMJ Jacuzzi dealer and have had a very strong relationship with them for close to 15 years. The first Jet I personally built was a WJ.  We believe they make a very good product and enjoy working with Wj's and Yjs. We, JBP, have a boat with a modified Wj that will run with the best of the Berk lake hot rods. Jacuzzi "slowed" their small jet R&D performance production years ago electing /opting for the "BIG" jet utility Mkt (18" offshore tugs etc).

After thorough cleaning/degreasing of the bilge (engine out) and fuel systems secured, we use a Rose bud Torch (well ventilated conditions) to warm the epoxy around the intake (bolts removed), while putting some of the weight of the boat (floor jack and 4x4 block) on the intake from the underside. With a little "encouragement" the intake will release, to be cleaned and welded.  Welding cast aluminum alloy is a little tricky but fins can be repaired using mild/soft 1/4 plate then ground and filled with sea going poxy putty, or the intake can simply be replaced with a used one (new are very spendy).  Perfect time to mill and fit with a shoe and ride plate too, which we think is a great advantage to that jet, also prime time to "freshen" up the drive too.

That said there's a certain amount of discussion as to if the Fins actually are neccesary or not, I believe the designers knew what they were doing, but I've heard of people removing both.  I do believe one missing is likely worse than two ??   More later! Got to "JET"  Tom

BTW (a little spam) We JBP now produce a reasonably prices retrofit adaptor to allow the addition of all Berk/AT/Dom  style "bolt ons" eg nozzle adaptors,Droop snoots , Trim units wedges etc etc The pic is a WJ with an AT droop and a Dominator "mini trim"

76 Miller wj "434" stroker  BBC