H27 Stuffing Box

[Greenman]

Here is my stuffing box

I think I have it labeled correctly, but it is stuck fast. I carefully put some PB Blaster on it yesterday but that did not help. My question is, looking at the amount of free space behind the actually packing nut, even if I do get it freed, it doesn't look like I will be able to back it off far enough to replace the packing.

If I cannot get the packing apart, will I have to pull the shaft? And does that mean the Rudder has to be pulled as well?

Does anyone have any experience with a Hunter 27 packing replacement project?

Is the little hole on the right end of the shaft near the coupling a taper pin or something that would allow me to remove the shaft without taking the coupling off?

I am getting flustered with this as it should be easy. IF the PO had done this maintenance regularly it would be easy. I think that is bothering me the most.

Thanks and advise is very welcome.

 

[Ed Schenck]

The shaft saver is causing the problem, the orange spacer between the shaft flange and the crankshaft. That will come out easily. The problem might be getting the shaft flange knocked loose and moved forward. If you can do that you will have room to move the box forward enough to get the old packing out and the new in. Two large pipe wrenches should suffice to break the lock nut loose.

 

[BLIGHT]

I agree with Ed that the Shaft Saver needs to be removed and the shaft then needs to slid towards the engine flange. I would suggest that you check that round hole, to see if it is threaded since somewhere on that flange there should be a shaft retainer bolt that locks the shaft to the flange. It usually has a hole through the bolt so that can be wired to the flange to keep it from coming loose.

 

[Ed Schenck]

That's a good point Bob. Wonder what is on the other side of that coupler? Hopefully a keyway and a set screw. That hole does not appear to have threads. But there should be a set screw on both sides. . .usually.

 

[Seattle Scott]

Add two more clamps to the stern tube / packing gland ( the hose thingy).

 

[Greenman]

Thanks for the tips, I will check the bottom of the flange. Once I get that bad boy apart I am going to add 2 more hose clamps, and replace the hose with a slightly shorter one.

Again, thanks for the tips.

 

[BLIGHT]

The keyway is usuall not viewable and I would suggest that before you remove the hose you measure the O.D. of the shaft log to see if you can find a hose with that I.D.. I know that on my 35.5 I had to do some searching to find the correct size hose. In any case keep on soaking the flange and the packing nuts with your PB Blaster. That is one of the reasons that I replaced the the packing assy with a Dripless.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Good catch Scott, wasn't looking back there. And sometime the source of all that oil and grease is going to have to be addressed. Looks suspiciously like a rear seal on the tranny might be failing. Sorry to add to the worries.

 

[garyc]

To break the locking nut free try using a punch and a hammer. Put the punch on the edge of the nut and give it a sharp rap. You may have to do this a few times. Good luck. You might have enough room if back off the nut to it's limit to remove and repack the coupling.