How to dismantle 1997 rjs-50 red lion jet pump.

I want to repair our cast iron rjs-50 red lion shallow well jet pump. Serial no. 2597, meaning 25th week of 1997 I learned. Motor would run but it doesn't deliver or move prime water.

I took off the four bolts and with a fair bit of pulling split the motor from the pump casing. Now, however, I can't figure out how to get into the casing to check impeller. Apparently the shaft was at least partly unscrewed already, and this allowed me to pull casing / impeller compartment from the motor. But I can't figure out how to open the seal plate -- seems tightly pressed without any entry mechanism. I'll attach photos.

Sorry, I thought someone with one of these might help. Looks like just the seal plate is stuck. If you can get in from the suction side, you should be able to knock it out the back.

Thanks. Yep, just was stuck. Whacking it no good, but an old knife along the gasket and a hammer pried it off. It was difficult to tell there was a seam there.

For reference, Red Lion parts seem very hard to find, but D&B supply in Idaho carries impellers and rebuild kits in their Caldwell store. And they were very helpful.

rustyIdaho said:

Thanks. Yep, just was stuck. Whacking it no good, but an old knife along the gasket and a hammer pried it off. It was difficult to tell there was a seam there.

For reference, Red Lion parts seem very hard to find, but D&B supply in Idaho carries impellers and rebuild kits in their Caldwell store. And they were very helpful.

Click to expand...

I resorted to cutting along the gasket with a large box cutter and then using one of the cutter blade's tapped on it with a hammer in several spots. I then used cables an a comealong to apply pressure between casting and motor.
Rubber mallet failed, broke all the rules by prying to brake the casting from the motor. Hope this helps.