97 GSX 787 Impeller/Pump Questions

[JESSECONSOPOLUS]

The wear ring on my 97 GSX is going out i think. Bounces off the rev. limiter when you take off but only lasts a second or 2. happens especially when my wife pulls me on a wakeboard. Are these hard to replace? i found the wear ring cheap on SBT and it should be on its way here. Is that the problem? When i do the rebuild, i am going to replace the impeller with a skat trak but i need to know what pitch to get and if there are any other specs to look for. I am planning on this ski to pull a wakeboard/tube and mainly top speed. It already hauls the wife and i really well and the gps says 62 but i highly doubt that. more like 52 i suspect. Any help would be awesome.........

 

[nswillin]

Hey Jesse. Wear rings are not hard to replace at all. I hope you ordered or already have the impeller removal tool, that you will defiantly need. Just take your time, do a good job. KustomKarl has a step by step procedure on the whole process, if you get stuck, search his posts, it's in there.
As for the Impeller pitch, Seadoo recommends stainless steel impeller with 16 to 23 degrees progressive pitch.:cheers:

 

[JESSECONSOPOLUS]

oops, no removal tool here, guess ill order one. i have heard they are a pain to get in. also u pretty much have to destroy the old one to get it out. (like u would need it anyways) but also to stick the new wear ring in the freezer before installation. is this true? have heard this about bearings instead of pressing them in, once up to normal temp. they will expand and seat into place......... the higher the number/bigger impeller? -top speed? lower pitch=more bottom end? what i guess i am asking is possible what is stock right now and what pitch i need for my riding style i guess. i will refer back to some old posts and c if i can find my answer.....tks guys for a speedy reply.....:hurray:


i get u dude, found a 16/23 solas but will that get me more umph?

 

[JESSECONSOPOLUS]

jet ski Impellers Explained


pitch designation such as 14/18 indicates that the prop is basically variable pitch (angle) prop. The pitch (angle) varies from the leading edge to the trailing edge. Two numbers to indicate degrees of each blade in relation to an imaginary line perpendicular to the axis of the prop itself.

If you were to cut a variable pitch prop in two halves,the leading edge to the trailing edge, you would see that the blade is actually curved instead of straight like props of yesteryear which were typically single pitch props.

By choosing a prop with a lower pitch (i.e. a 13/17 vs. the 14/18) your craft will have more bottom end (acceleration) and pulling power and you will typically loose some top end speed.

The opposite is true by selecting a prop with higher numbers.
Be careful, picking the wrong prop can kill your all around performance.
got it guys, thanks for the input......:cheers:

 

[nswillin]

Hey not fair I was gonna explain that. Nice research BTW.:hurray: If your gonna be wake boarding shoot on the high end of the pitch.
As for wear ring, is not hard to get out. Freezer method for install is fantastic. Main thing to remember is when installing the impeller be real careful not to pinch the thrust bearing in the groove on the shaft. I learned the hard way my first time. :cheers:

 

[JESSECONSOPOLUS]

Sea Doo GSX 1996-1997 800cc Engine Stock Impeller 17/24 & 16/23
140mm factory pump
Stock Engine 17/22 Swirl (Bottom & Mid Range)
Stock Engine 16/25 Super Slim (Top End Speed)
Limited Engine 17/23 Swirl (Bottom & Mid Range)
Limited Engine 17/26 Super Slim (Top End Speed)
Modified Engine 17/24B Swirl (Bottom & Mid Range)<----------------------
Modified Engine 17.5/27 Super Slim (Top End Speed)

so prob the 17/24B?

 

[nswillin]

Right on brother

 

[JESSECONSOPOLUS]

cool man thanks for the help....much appreciated.

 

[kmack]

Just an FYI...

In a pinch you can pull out and replace a wear ring without the impeller removal tool. I did this back in July on my '97 GSX. I put the jet assembly in a vise and used a flat-blade screwdriver that was hammered (lightly) into the top edge of the ring and used to slowly pry it up. Do this at 90* increments around the ring and work slowly. Once you have it up about 1/2", then you can grab onto it with two vise-grip pliers and wiggle it out.

It's a bit of work and I'm sure it takes longer than removing the impeller. But this does save having to worry about the thrust bearing.

 

[MontanaXP]

Just an FYI...

In a pinch you can pull out and replace a wear ring without the impeller removal tool. I did this back in July on my '97 GSX. I put the jet assembly in a vise and used a flat-blade screwdriver that was hammered (lightly) into the top edge of the ring and used to slowly pry it up. Do this at 90* increments around the ring and work slowly. Once you have it up about 1/2", then you can grab onto it with two vise-grip pliers and wiggle it out.

It's a bit of work and I'm sure it takes longer than removing the impeller. But this does save having to worry about the thrust bearing.

But you have to take it off anyway to get the new one in right?

 

[JESSECONSOPOLUS]

cool guys, ya ive got the ring right here and awaiting the tool to pull the imp. the skat imp is on the way. i figured since im going to be in there i might as well do the ring and the impeller.........ive rebuilt engines and stuff before but never messed with a pump. hopefully its not that hard. i will take pictures for future reference for all..... thanks for all the help guys... much appreciated!!!:cheers:

anyone know why the wear ring is there, what the purpose is. i checked my older 440 and 550 pumps and there is no ring at all. is this just a seadoo thing??

 

[kmack]

But you have to take it off anyway to get the new one in right?

I never took the impeller out of the jet pump housing. With ring cold, there is just enough clearance to slide past the impeller and back into place.

 

[nswillin]

cool guys, ya ive got the ring right here and awaiting the tool to pull the imp. the skat imp is on the way. i figured since im going to be in there i might as well do the ring and the impeller.........ive rebuilt engines and stuff before but never messed with a pump. hopefully its not that hard. i will take pictures for future reference for all..... thanks for all the help guys... much appreciated!!!:cheers:

anyone know why the wear ring is there, what the purpose is. i checked my older 440 and 550 pumps and there is no ring at all. is this just a seadoo thing??

The "wear ring" is there so that if anything crazy passes through the pump the wear ring will be the first to go. Doing this would save the more expensive and hard to replace parts from being damaged. Never buy a metal wear ring, I've seen them for sale and they defeat the purpose of the part.

 

[JESSECONSOPOLUS]

cool, the one i have is plastic like. thanks for the explanation.....:cheers: