Has anybody installed a PSS Shaft Seal System on a H34 ? Can you give me some feedback, how the installation went and is the bilge dry ever since. I have a H34, 1986 and I am planning to purchase one, but don't know anybody in my area who has installed one and can give me some points. Tthanks, Marcio
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I had a PSS shaft seal on my 34
I had one on my 34 and installed one on my P42 this spring. In both cases I ended up with no water coming in around the prop shaft. The installation is fairly straight forward. The single biggest problem was getting the flange off of the prop shaft. Putting a socket between the prop shaft and the transmission flange and using progressively shorter bolts to pull the flange off the shaft is time consuming but will work every time. Installing the bellows is not a problem, and taking care to take all burrs off of the shaft, keyway, and shaft end will ensure that the rotor "O" rings do not get damaged and leak when the rotor is installed. I would not go any other way. Also, while you have it all apart is a great time to install a shaft saver as well. It goes between the transmission flange and the prop shaft flange and takes the strain of any mis alignment off of the transmission bearings.
I had one on my 34 and installed one on my P42 this spring. In both cases I ended up with no water coming in around the prop shaft. The installation is fairly straight forward. The single biggest problem was getting the flange off of the prop shaft. Putting a socket between the prop shaft and the transmission flange and using progressively shorter bolts to pull the flange off the shaft is time consuming but will work every time. Installing the bellows is not a problem, and taking care to take all burrs off of the shaft, keyway, and shaft end will ensure that the rotor "O" rings do not get damaged and leak when the rotor is installed. I would not go any other way. Also, while you have it all apart is a great time to install a shaft saver as well. It goes between the transmission flange and the prop shaft flange and takes the strain of any mis alignment off of the transmission bearings.
Very Pleased With Shaft Seal
Installed one on my H-35 about 14 years ago and have been very pleased. A straight and true propeller shaft helps to prevent leaks. If the shaft vibrates a lot it can cause some leakage unless the bellows is squished really tight. I replaced the OEM bronze shaft with a stainless steel shaft which was true and there was less vibration and this cured the problem with the occasional errant drip. The doughnut will have to be moved aft slightly over time as the bellows will lose some elasticity. Replace the set screws whenever the bellows is moved. I keep a plastic bag with spare set screws right beside the shaft seal so I don't have to go looking for them. Vibration reduction - it also helps to balance the prop. Flexible Shaft Coupling: I also installed a flexible shaft coupling and feel it was worthwhile. Vibration reduction was very noticeable. The boat motors much more smoothly now and I'm sure there is much less wear and tear on everything - cutlass, transmission, compass, etc. Part of my vibration may have been coming from the coupling itself where one or both of the faces may not have been perpendicular to the axis of the shafts. I've had the flexible shaft coupling on now for probably a year and a half. Used the R&D that PYI sells because of it's reasonable price but I'm sure other flexible couplings would do just as well.
Installed one on my H-35 about 14 years ago and have been very pleased. A straight and true propeller shaft helps to prevent leaks. If the shaft vibrates a lot it can cause some leakage unless the bellows is squished really tight. I replaced the OEM bronze shaft with a stainless steel shaft which was true and there was less vibration and this cured the problem with the occasional errant drip. The doughnut will have to be moved aft slightly over time as the bellows will lose some elasticity. Replace the set screws whenever the bellows is moved. I keep a plastic bag with spare set screws right beside the shaft seal so I don't have to go looking for them. Vibration reduction - it also helps to balance the prop. Flexible Shaft Coupling: I also installed a flexible shaft coupling and feel it was worthwhile. Vibration reduction was very noticeable. The boat motors much more smoothly now and I'm sure there is much less wear and tear on everything - cutlass, transmission, compass, etc. Part of my vibration may have been coming from the coupling itself where one or both of the faces may not have been perpendicular to the axis of the shafts. I've had the flexible shaft coupling on now for probably a year and a half. Used the R&D that PYI sells because of it's reasonable price but I'm sure other flexible couplings would do just as well.
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