Separating Sta-Rite SNC-L Seal Plate from Pump Body

[Dixon]

I'm disassembling an SN series pump for inspection/rebuild and the back plate is stuck to the pump housing. I've cleaned the flange, soaked the mating surfaces with PB Blaster, whacked the housing around the flange with a dead blow hammer, whacked the back plate flange with a ball peen hammer/bronze drift, heat gun, wedged screw drivers.. Everything short of a propane torch and dropping it from the roof top. No cigar.
Need help in NC.
Sincerely, Buster Knuckles.

 

[Valveman]

Those bolts should be the only thing holding it. Sometime they just stick.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Dixon]

Thanks Valveman. Allowing it to sit overnight, and a couple of taps with a thin screwdriver easily freed it. The cast seal plate has alot of corrosion along the edge mating with the diffuser. Am I correct to think this would cause excessive clearance and degrade performance? Also I cannot find the SNC-L seal plate, N3-1043P (#3 in schematic) available online. Does anyone recommend a Sta-rite replacement parts site?

 

[Valveman]

Wow! By the time you replace all of that you could buy a new pump.

 

[Dixon]

Exactly my thoughts. The disassembly was educational and the knowledge may benefit me at some point, however I also learned a pump with any age likely isn't worth ordering replacement parts for. This is the second Sta-rite I've found in this condition and there is one more to go... probably same condition and strike three.