I responded "not needed" for his comment on resurfacing the shaft.
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I had a brand new shaft, cutlass bearing and PSS installed as part of my closing on my, new to me, boat.
The PO's had.... less say, neglected, and obvious deal killer if they didn't provide $$ to fix it.
Because of my industrial knowledge on shaft seals, I knew a mechanical seal was best and a double mechanical seal is used for pumping hazardous materials.
A mechanical seal [like PSS uses] does
NOT use the shaft as a sealing surface. Packing glands and lip seals DO use
the shaft as part of the seal and ARE subject to wear of shaft, grooving and pitting. A common answer is to "resurface" the wearing area.
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Installation of a new PSS...
1) Install your bare shaft through your new cutlass bearing.
2) Inspect your engine mounts and replace if cracked or damaged.
3) Install and double clamp, the bellows to the inside of your boats shaft hole. [the Carbon face is on the bellows facing the engine].
4) Tap the shaft trough the bellow to near you engine transmission coupling
5) Slide the Stainless [rotating part of PSS] over the shaft so it faces toward bellows.
6) Attach your Transmission coupling to end of bare shaft.
7) Tap shaft to near mating the 2 flanges. Tighten the coupling shaft/to transmission.
8) Uses shaft alignment tool and shim or adjust your shaft/engine to be straight and snug.
Now the mating of the bellows
carbon face and
rotating Stainless PSS seal face.
You are now setting the "spring" [bellows compression] to prevent leaking.
9) Following PYI's recommendation, you compress the bellows, slide the Stainless seal in place, put the purge port to right position for proper hose connection position.
10) Tighten down the Shaft set screws to prevent loosing the "spring" tension.
11) Install propeller and zinc... Done.
Next my
highly recommend purge used by all for higher thrusting on shafts and rpms.
This kit has bronze tee included
http://www.shaftseal.com/pss-t-kits.html
No collection bottle, no silt left in bellows from a muddy water reverse, no spurts in sink, always cooled etc.
11) Run your PSS seal purge to your sea water pump discharge line, before your high point loop. Tee it in and never worry.
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See all the good posts above for post installation adjusting that of the bellows compression spring.
Boring to read.. I am sure.
My PSS has the same compression as was installed almost 4 years ago.
Tip: Measure the bellows at time installation with a tape measure, check it every season.
Jim...