H30 Stuffing Box Design

[David Popken]

I have just been through the 400+ archive articles on stuffing boxes and re-packing, etc. and the link to Moore marine with drawing. My box is leaking about a drop a second and it looks to me like there is not a lock nut but just one large packing nut that threads on to a shaft that connects to the rubber boot that connects to the fiberglass shaft flange. So, there was no second nut to hold in place while I loosen the lock nut. Am I seeing this right? I tightened the nut and did not slow the drip, so I assume I need to repack, but I want to make sure I'm not missing anything before attemtping the job.

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Try this

You could keep tightening in quarter-turn increments once a day to see if that stops the drip. Only when the boat is out of the water do you want to go back and put the locking nut on. You can't get the shaft off while it's in the water. But you're okay till then.

 

[Ken Palmer]

Maybe a little more.

I take it that you have one drip per second while motoring, and no drips when the shaft isn't turning. When you say you tightened the packing nut, did it meet resistance before bottoming out? With my H33, I tighten the nut until snug, then give it another quarter turn or so. If still leaking, give it a little more. Not sure why you don't have the locking nut.If you have never replaced the packing, maybe it is time you dove into it. Not so difficult a task. Much easier to do it out of the water if this is your first time, but others will say to go ahead and do it while still in the water.I am including the link you mentioned to Moore Marine in case new readers haven't seen it before.Ken Palmer, S/V Libertywww.LakeOntarioSailing.com

 

[David Popken]

Nut is tight

The drip is once a second with motor OFF. The nut is tight. I managed a quarter turn, but it did not help. I really can't see how a lock nut could go on this particular arrangement, unless there is a packing nut underneath the nut I was tightening and therefore, the nut I was tightening is the lock nut.

 

[Henry Weber]

lock nut for H30 stuffing box

DaveIf your stuffing box nut is like mine, it is about 2in in dia. with hex nut flats on the front and back and cylindrical in the center. Actually the rear set of flats is the lock nut portion. Put a wrench on each side and turn counterclockwise. Try once more.Henry

 

[David Popken]

That's What I Needed!

Thanks, I thought there was more to it than met the untrained eye. I should be able to accomplish the task. BTW, can one replace the hose clamps on the rubber boot while in the water? I assume you could do one at a time. All of mine are severely rusty and may just break off. I don't need a ruptured boot while in the water.

 

[David Popken]

Thanks Henry

I re-packed the stuffing box last night thanks to your description of the box nut and lock nut. Probably could have just tightened the old packing, but I guess it was a learning experience and now I should not need to worry about the condition of the packing.