combi recondition

[vladklt64]

Hi guys.
I've recently bought my Vega #3071. So now I am very proud to be part
of your community. I am on my way to recondition combi unit. All
dismantled, cleaned. Now I have to put it together. And first question
regarding stern gland : how the seal rings going to stay in their
positions if not glued. Especially forward one. It is seems to me
nothing keeping it. What the secret? What did you do, guys? Adhesive?
what kind?
I put pictures name: COMBI RECONDITION and questions under each. Can
somebody explain me how it is gonna work?
What's gonna keep bushings against sliding in the grease chamber? Buy
the way, old one I found there (broken and lonely). I know guys you
will help me. Thanks in advance.
Vlad, #V3071 , BC, Canada

 

[j.hunter9999]

Vlad,
I just finished this work a couple months ago. I had the two metal bushings pressed in at
a local auto parts store. The two seals will press fit into the casing. The key is to be
careful putting grease into the casing. If you shoot too much, it is possible to push the
seals out. However, it isn't a critical operation. Once the seals are in, you'll be surprised
how well they stay put.

When you slide the shaft through, take care to put a little grease on it as you slide the
casing over the shaft. Also, don't forget to grease the prop boss. I'm told by several on
this site that between greasing the prop boss and the stern gland, water should be kept to
a minimum (just a couple drips a minute while the engine is running.

Good luck and take care.
Jack

 

[vladklt64]

Jack, thanks for your tips. I still very sceptical about those seals.
Don'we have to press grease till it comes from under seals to make
sure casing full of grease?

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi Vlad

The seals are just pushed in, honest!

This is how it has been done for the last 40 years. It does work.

Cheers

Steve B

 

[j.hunter9999]

Vlad,
I know its hard to believe, but the seals are just pushed in. The fit is fairly snug. Although
I believe (but have never tested it) that it would be possible to push enough grease in to
the stern gland to push the seals out, I would not put so much grease in that the grease
comes out the seals. The better alternative is to put some grease in after you install it,
then, once its in the water, shoot just enough grease in to stop the dripping (with the
motor off), plus maybe a half a squirt.

My stern gland was totally shot last year (seals were very old, cracked and worn). In
addition, I never realized that the prop boss had to be greased. So, she leaked like crazy
when I ran the motor. After each running, I shot just enough grease in to stop the
dripping. It worked every time. When I rebuilt it this year, I shot just enough grease in to
satisfy my need to grease things. When I launch her, if she leaks, I'll shoot enough in to
stop the leak.

I've been told this, combined with greasing the prop boss before launch, does the trick.

Best of luck.
Jack

Ps. Worst case, is that you replace it with a dripless stuffing box in the future. They sell
one with a pretty good reputation for around 350 USD.

 

[j.hunter9999]

I was thinking after I wrote this, it is possible that the stern gland is so worn that the seals
don't "stay" in the stern gland. When I pushed the seals into each end of the gland, I had
to push them through the initial opening in the stern gland. If your just drop right in,
then I suppose its possible that the stern gland is extremely worn.

If you have skype or something, we could take a look online and I could watch as you
push them into the gland. We could at least figure out if it looks the same as my stern
gland (which was in really good shape).

Take care,
Jack

 

[vladklt64]

Hi Jack.
Actually mine looks fine. I will have to hummer my bushings and seals
inside. Don't know yet if to do it myselfs or let someone else.
When I dismantled it I had a hard time to remove old seals (that's
why I sought it might be glued) and I found only half a bushing in
casing (where are another 1.5 I don't have Skype, but I'll see
what I can do.
Thanks for your help.

 

[wxt8981]

Hi.:
I read some very scary things about the combi reconditioning. So here is my story:
When I still had the Albin gasoline engine (and the varible pitch prop) I had the unfortunate event running (at night) into a lobster trap. It broke the engine mounts, and worst, it bent the prop shaft (and sleeve).
I took everything apart and after getting all necessary parts, reassembled everything again. About parts; there are quite a few O-rings. These prevent the water from coming into the combi. (and possible further up to the engine).
I reconditioned the varable pitch prop, lined up the shaft with the engine, put grease where grease was needed, and put everything (including the prop) back the way it was before I hit the trap.
There should be no water coming in, with motor running or not.
I learned a lot ( in the next years, I had to take out the shaft (and sleeve) to install another stuffing box and stern bearing, though I never thought it was a "big" job. But I'm lucky- I have an exploded view from the whole mechanism- and I got all parts needed to to the job.
A few years back I instaled a diesel engine. I have now a regular transmission and a 25mm shaft. I kept the (original) stuffing box; it keeps the water out.
Wilhelm, V-257