This checklist is designed for plant engineers, maintenance teams and buyers preparing a 3171 pump, shaft, column, casing, impeller or bearing inquiry.
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What to photograph before dismantling
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- Complete pump installation
- Nameplate
- Support plate and pit opening
- Discharge elbow / discharge centerline
- Column joints
- Steady-bearing locations where visible
- Damaged shaft/bearing surfaces
- Any casting or part-number markings
Confirm the pump architecture first
The official Goulds 3171 IOM defines the 3171 as a vertical submerged-bearing sump and process pump. It describes S/ST, M/MT and L drive-unit groups, multiple hydraulic sizes, a fully open impeller, a tangential self-venting casing and lineshaft steady-bearing arrangements.
Those details explain why “3171 shaft” is not a complete specification. Shaft diameter and length, column construction, bearing count and hydraulic size can vary with the installed group and setting.
The standard 3171 should not be described as an ASME B73.1, ISO 2858 or API 610 pump. Goulds publishes a separate API 3171 product. Always verify the actual design basis from the nameplate and documentation.
Essential data for a complete 3171 replacement
| Data group | Information to collect | What it controls |
|---|---|---|
| Identification | Model, pump size, serial number, drive-unit group if known | Hydraulic and mechanical starting configuration |
| Hydraulic duty | Flow, head, speed, minimum/normal liquid level and suction conditions | Hydraulic selection and required submergence review |
| Setting | Drawing-defined total setting, pit depth and measurement reference points | Column, shaft and hydraulic-end elevation |
| Shaft system | Shaft section lengths, diameters, couplings and runout history | Shaft manufacture, handling and critical fits |
| Bearings | Number, type, material and spacing of steady bearings | Lineshaft support and process compatibility |
| Installation | Support-plate dimensions, pit opening, discharge size/orientation and removal clearance | Mechanical fit and maintenance access |
| Process | Fluid, concentration, temperature, solids, vapour and corrosion/abrasion history | Wetted material, bearing material and sealing options |
| Driver | Motor, power, speed, frame, coupling and rotation | Power-end and installation compatibility |
Do not use pit depth and pump setting as synonyms
Pit depth is a civil or installation dimension. Pump setting is a pump dimension defined between specific reference points on the supplier’s drawing. Depending on the drawing, it may be measured from the support plate to the casing, suction cover, pump centreline or another stated datum.
Mark both endpoints on a field sketch. Record whether plate thickness, gasket thickness or a mounting stand is included. An unlabelled number such as “3.5 m deep” cannot safely be converted into a shaft or column length.
Why steady-bearing data matters
The lineshaft needs intermediate support appropriate to its length, speed, shaft diameter and operating environment. Bearing quantity and spacing must not be copied from another pump solely because the total setting is similar. Process temperature, solids, lubrication method, bearing material and the existing column arrangement also affect the review.
For a replacement bearing, collect the housing/register dimensions, shaft diameter, bearing length, lubrication passages where applicable and material. For a replacement shaft, record bearing journals, coupling/thread features, impeller attachment, runout requirement and every axial shoulder.
Illustrative setting review
This is a measurement example, not a customer case or design recommendation.
A field team records a 3,600 mm pit depth and assumes the pump setting is also 3,600 mm. The GA drawing later shows that setting is measured from the top of the support plate to a hydraulic-end datum above the pit floor. The pump also has a discharge elbow and suction strainer that require clearance below that datum.
The corrected RFQ keeps four values separate: pit depth, normal/minimum liquid level, drawing-defined pump setting and clearance beneath the hydraulic end. It also records the steady-bearing locations from the same support-plate datum. This prevents a civil dimension from being used as a manufacturing dimension.
Complete pump, shaft or bearing?
Choose a complete-pump review when the hydraulic end, column, shaft system, support arrangement or driver needs replacement or reselection. Use a parts review when the retained components are identifiable and inspectable. A long shaft or column component should not be quoted until the mating components and shipping/installation segmentation are clear.
The quotation should identify:
- Drawing-defined total setting and measurement datum
- Column sections and connection details
- Shaft sections, couplings and critical fits
- Steady-bearing count, positions and material
- Discharge arrangement and support-plate interface
- Wetted material and any vapour/sealing option
- Hydraulic selection for the stated duty
- Drawings and inspection records that require buyer approval
Reliability questions before ordering
Ask whether the previous pump experienced dry running, insufficient submergence, solids accumulation, shaft vibration, repeated bearing wear, corrosion at the liquid line or difficulty removing the assembly. A dimensionally correct replacement can repeat the same failure if the operating cause is not addressed.
Begin with the Vertical Process Pumps category or use the OEM part-number cross-reference for an installed component.
FAQ
Why are both pit depth and pump setting required?
They describe different things. Pit depth defines the installation, while pump setting is measured between specified pump drawing datums.
Can a 3171 shaft be quoted from a photograph?
No. A photograph helps identify the arrangement, but controlled dimensions, setting data, material and mating-component details are required.
Is a standard 3171 automatically an API 610 pump?
No. Goulds publishes a separate API 3171 product; the installed pump’s design basis must be verified.
Sources and review method
This guide was checked against the official Goulds 3171 IOM and 3171 brochure. OEM construction descriptions are used to explain what must be measured. They do not establish Yingsiman supply coverage or performance for every 3171 size and setting.
See the 3171 vertical sump and process pump for complete-pump and parts information.
Editorial and trademark note
Prepared by the ANSI Pumps Pro editorial team from official OEM literature and the replacement-review workflow used by ANSI Pumps Pro / Yingsiman. Last source review: August 9, 2026. Final setting, material, fit and hydraulic selection remain subject to engineering verification. ITT Goulds and referenced model designations are trademarks or product identifiers of their respective owners and are used only for identification and replacement-reference purposes. ANSI Pumps Pro / Yingsiman is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by ITT Goulds.
3171 Replacement RFQ Checklist
For a Goulds 3171 replacement review, submit the installation-specific information below with the available drawings, BOM and photographs.
- Model, pump size and serial number
- Drive-unit group if known
- Flow, head and speed
- Minimum and normal liquid levels
- Drawing-defined setting
- Shaft and column section data
- Steady-bearing count, position and material if known
- Support plate and discharge geometry
- Fluid, concentration, temperature and solids
- Motor or driver data
- Available GA, BOM, drawings and photos
Have a 3171 Drawing, Nameplate or Worn Part?
Send the installed pump identity, drawing-defined setting, liquid levels and the component you need. We can review the dimensional and material information required before quotation.
For the installation measurement method, see the vertical sump pump setting guide. Where an OEM reference is available, start with the OEM Part Number Cross-Reference.
