Need help with Gusher 10 rebuild

[klease]

I recently purchased a Cal 27 for a restoration project and it came with a Gusher 10 under the cockpit floor. (which makes it damn near impossible for my fat *&% to get too) It doesn't seem to have any suction when I disconnected the bilge hose so I ordered a rebuild kit. But now I can't figure out how to get it off to work on it. I didn't install it and the manual isn't much help.

I've loosened all six screws on the deck but nothing seems to be loosening up. There does appear to be two bolts holding the pump on to the bracket. I removed the nuts but the bolts seem to be stuck.

Before I started banging on things I thought I'd check in here and see if anybody has any advice.

[Lepke]

The bolts may be tight in the holes and need to be unscrewed. Some people drill an undersize hole and drive the bolts like a nail. I have a 25 and it's aluminum. I would be easy on the castings.

[Dockhead]

Anticipating what you will find when you do get it off --

These crappy pumps -- and I have one -- are made of poorly finished die cast aluminum. The valve seats corrode and fail to seal if any sea water is left standing in them, rendering the pump nonfunctional.

You will have to sand or grind the valve seats smooth, then finish them somehow -- I used zinc chromate primer and Hammerite.

Then be sure to never leave sea water in it.


Better yet, replace it with something made of material which does not deteriorate in sea water.