How to Assemble a Pump Motor

Unpack the pump motor. Remove the pump from its packing box and set it on a work table. Remove the instructions and read them before proceeding.

Compare the old pump to the new pump. Newer pump motors may have a slightly different shape. However, as long as the pump motor has the same diameter input and output connections and mounts, there will be no problem with installing it. Check the pump motor’s mounts and connection points for compatibility.

Mount the pump motor. Mount the new pump motor in the same location as the old pump motor. Line up the bolt holes on the pump motor with the frame mount to which it's being attached. Use an adjustable crescent wrench to tighten the mounting bolts. Tighten the adjustable crescent wrench around the bolt head until its jaws are gripping the bolt. Turn the bolt clockwise to tighten it. Use the original mounting bolts from the old pump motor.

Install the device’s metal piping or plastic hoses. Pump motors are responsible for pushing liquids, such as gasoline or water, through a mechanical system. Most pump motors will have an “in” and “out” indicator next to each connection point. Connect the piping or hosing to the appropriate connection point. If the connection point is threaded, use Teflon tape, wrapped around the threads, to seal the connection. Use an adjustable crescent wrench to tighten the connection bolts. Make sure the wrench's jaws are firmly gripping the bolt.

Prepare the wiring. Use a wire stripper to remove ½-inch of shielding from each wire, on the new pump motor and the wiring leading to the device. Make sure that at least ½-inch of clean unshielded wiring is exposed on each wire. To strip the wire, place the shielded wire into one of the stripper's cutting notches that is closest to the size of the wire. Squeeze the handle and pull the shielding off.

Connect the wiring. Start by matching the wire’s colors. Most manufacturers use black and white wires. If the wiring is black and red, connect the pump motor’s black wire to the device’s black wire and the remaining pump motor wire to the remaining wire on the device. Twist the unshielded wire together tightly. Screw a wire nut onto the exposed wiring and wrap electrical tape around the base of the wire nut.

Connect the ground. If the pump has a ground wire, it will be green in color. Strip ½-inch of shielding from the pump motor’s ground wire and the device’s ground wire. Twist the two wires together. Twist a wire nut onto the unshielded wiring and apply electrical tape to the wire nut’s base. The pump is now installed.