Hello guys/gals.  First post and I hope this question hasn’t been answered already. I have a 21 foot shallow v jet boat I picked up last year with a scattered 455 olds, and a pretty well used up 12yj. I replaced the motor with a warmed up 455 and ran the hell out of that boat last season. But I know I’m leaving a lot of power on the table with the worn out pump. I picked up another super clean yj and I just want to do a straight swap. However I want to do things to freshen up the pump. What do you guys suggest? Also what sealer do I use between the grate and the hull. And between the pump and the transom. Also I already know I should just replace it with a berk’. So I do t need that advice. I bought the boat to have fun, not beat the guy next to me. Thank you all in advance

Thank you for the response next question how do you go about getting the suction housing off of the grate

Getting the transom plate off can be a PITA if the previous installer went crazy with the silicone.


Pull the 6 flat head bolts from the transom plate. I use an impact on the inside with extensions. 

I use a razor blade and cut all the way around the plate right where the plate meets the transom, then cover the transom with 2” wide tape the protect it. From the bottom, I drive a thin scraper up at each corner to start the separation. Then a small screw driver, or thicker scraper. You will hear the silicone start to “pop” then work your way around to the top.

Some guys filled the gap at the bowl with silicone rather than rely on the seal. If yours is like that you’ll need to cut that before trying to pull.

One transom plate is off? Pull all the bolts from the pump to intake. There are 2 at the rear that come up from bottom.  Don’t forget those.

Pump will come right out the back. Depending on your valve situation you might have to unthread that to get it through the hole.