woodruff key and fuel filter

First year doing my Spring prep on the boat.
First question:
How the hell do you get the impeller on without the woodruff key falling off of the shaft as you slide it on? Is the key supposed to be more of a press fit and stay in place? Mine is a snug fit but when I push the impeller on it dislodges it. It's also an awkward position to work and the pump doesn't look like it comes off easily so I can't take it to a bench.
Second question:
I also am not sure where this fuel filter goes? Here "A" or Here "B"?
I searched a bunch on the key and couldn't find much on putting them on in hard to get to places. Seems most people just have a hard time getting them out. I did lube up the Impeller with coolant (didn't have soap handy). i woudl get it on and lined up with teh key but when I pushe dit off the key would up end and jam or just get pushed out and I could hear it "clink" on teh housing as it fell.
Thanks,
Adam

Adam,
Regarding the key, first make sure it fits the keyway in the new impeller smoothly. Check for rubber that may be in the keyway from the rubber overmolding of the hub. You can file the hub keyway sides with a slight taper as a lead in for the key. Install the key on the shaft tilting slightly downwards where it enters the impeller hub. From there, it's a matter of finding the spot where the impeller slides onto the key. It can be frustrating and may take a couple attempts.

So where does that fuel filter go? The big area canister or the little one? Doesn't look like it fits in the little one and the big one doesn't look like it is expected to be taken apart for regular maintenance.

It goes into A. The bottom unscrews from the part that has the hoses in it. Not an easy job some remove it from the boat and carefully put it into a vise to hold. They changed to a different style due to how difficult it is to get apart

Would a strap wrench be a good tool to try with it still on the motor?

Really hard to tell from the pic but I am betting B is your low pressure fuel pump.
Also tough to tell what motor you have, it's a Chevy small block, in 97' it is either a 5.7HO Proski EFI or maybe the Apex???

Adam,
Does the key look worn and or does the shaft keyway look stretched? Typically a woodruff key is a pretty tight fit. That .006 you're thinking of is a lot of shim!

I just installed a new impellor in my water pump..had same issue as you with the woodruff key falling out, as I was trying to put it all back together...Follow Pete's advice.....I did that same thing..I angled it a bit, and the parts slid together easily without pushing out the woodruff key. All works well.

Adam,
Chase the female threads in the block with a tap. Don't go too deep. You just want to clean up the threads. Then, get a new plug. I suggest brass.

Well that's it then, turn in your keys for a week, you're grounded.

BaccoBouncer wrote: Ummmm. Not the first time I've done this. I got too excited and was putting it in the wrong hole. There is a hole right next to it that is about the same size.

Best line of the year so far, laugh every time I read it