Burks 21361 Noryl Impeller for 1-1/2 HP 15WA6 Series Self-Priming Centrifugal Pumps
The Burks 21361 is the factory replacement Noryl impeller used in the 1-1/2 HP models of the Burks WA6 series self-priming centrifugal pump, built by Crane Pumps & Systems. It is the enclosed impeller that sits inside the pump casing and does the actual work — pulling liquid up through the suction port, throwing it outward, and building the pressure that lets the pump re-prime itself after the suction line loses its column of water. When a WA6 pump starts losing flow, stops holding prime, or begins running noticeably louder than it used to, a worn or eroded impeller is usually the first thing a service technician checks.
Noryl is a glass-reinforced engineering resin, and Burks specifies it as the standard impeller material on WA6 pumps for good reason. It holds its vane profile against abrasive particles far better than a soft metal would, it shrugs off the corrosive attack that eats bronze in treated or mildly aggressive water, and it is light enough that it puts less load on the shaft and mechanical seal over a long service life. The trade-off is a temperature ceiling of roughly 175°F, so applications running hotter than that call for the bronze or iron impeller instead of the 21361.
These pumps show up in a wide range of settings — plant washdown lines, parts-cleaning and coolant recirculation, boiler feed and condensate transfer, irrigation and general water movement, tank filling, car wash systems, and light dewatering. Wherever the pump is installed, keeping a spare 21361 on the shelf turns a multi-day outage into a bench repair. Pair it with a fresh mechanical seal and casing gasket when you have the pump apart, since the labor is already spent and the wear on those parts tracks with the impeller.
Key Features
- Genuine Burks / Crane Pumps & Systems replacement impeller, part number 21361
- Enclosed impeller design for higher efficiency and stable flow across the operating curve
- Noryl glass-reinforced resin construction resists corrosion, scaling, and abrasive wear
- Direct threaded fit to the WA6 pump shaft — no machining or balancing required
- Lightweight versus bronze, reducing shaft and mechanical seal loading
- Factory-matched hydraulic profile restores original rated flow and pressure
- Standard-trim impeller for the 1-1/2 HP position in the WA6 lineup
- Serviceable as a bench repair without removing the pump from the piping in most installations
Applications
- Industrial and food plant washdown systems
- Parts washers, coolant and cutting-fluid recirculation
- Boiler feed, condensate return, and hot water circulation within temperature limits
- Agricultural irrigation and livestock watering
- Tank filling, transfer, and general water movement
- Car wash and vehicle cleaning systems
- Light dewatering and sump transfer duty
- Commercial laundry and process water supply
- Booster service where flooded suction is not always available
Specifications
- Part Number: 21361
- Brand: Burks (Crane Pumps & Systems)
- Product Type: Pump impeller, enclosed
- Material: Noryl glass-reinforced resin
- Horsepower Rating: 1-1/2 HP
- Fits Pump Series: Burks WA6 self-priming centrifugal
- Fits Models: 15WA6, 15WA6-BF, T15WA6, X15WA6 and related 1-1/2 HP WA6 configurations
- Pump Port Size: 1-1/2 in. NPT suction, 1-1/2 in. NPT discharge
- Operating Speed: 3500 RPM at 60 Hz
- Maximum Liquid Temperature: 175°F (80°C) with Noryl impeller
- Maximum Inlet Pressure: 100 PSI (689 kPa)
- Casing Working Pressure: 200 PSI (1379 kPa)
- Typical Pump Flow: up to approximately 61 GPM at 20 PSI
- Alternate Materials: bronze impeller 09731-5.66, iron impeller 09731-B-5.66
- Related Impellers in Series: 21360 (1 HP), 21362 (2 HP), 21363 (3 HP)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know whether my impeller is worn out or the problem is somewhere else?
A: Pull the casing and look at the vane edges and the front shroud. A healthy Noryl impeller has crisp, square vane tips; a worn one shows rounded, thinned, or grooved edges, and often a widened clearance gap at the wear ring face. If the vanes are sharp and the pump still won't prime, the trouble is more likely a suction-side air leak, a failed check valve, or a worn mechanical seal.
Q: Can I install a bronze impeller in place of the 21361?
A: Yes. Burks builds the same 1-1/2 HP hydraulic in bronze (09731-5.66) and iron for higher-temperature or more demanding service. The bronze version raises the temperature ceiling well above the 175°F limit of Noryl. Keep in mind that switching materials in an existing pump means checking that the casing and wear surfaces are still within tolerance, since a metal impeller is less forgiving of a scored casing.
Q: What tools do I need to change this impeller?
A: A basic bench setup handles it — a socket set for the casing bolts, a strap or spanner to hold the motor shaft from turning, and a replacement casing gasket. The impeller threads onto the shaft, so it backs off in the direction opposite to normal rotation. Avoid gripping the Noryl vanes with pliers; hold the shaft instead and turn the impeller by hand or with a proper spanner.
Q: Will running the pump dry damage the 21361?
A: It can, quickly. Without liquid to carry heat away, friction at the seal faces and the impeller hub can soften or distort the resin, and a distorted impeller will never restore full flow even if it still turns. Dry running is also the fastest way to kill the mechanical seal, so keep the suction line primed and consider a low-level cutoff on tanks that can run empty.
Q: Should I replace anything else at the same time?
A: The mechanical seal and casing gasket are the standard companions. Both are inexpensive relative to the labor of opening the pump, and both age at roughly the same rate as the impeller. If the shaft shows scoring where the seal rides, address that as well — a rough shaft will chew through a new seal in short order.
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