Sruffing box restuffing

[Lee]

I was prepared to replace the flax in my 1997 Hunter 310 when I realized that the stuffing box nut could not be backed off enough to come off the threads. It was hitting the rib on the bottom of the hull which diverts drip water away from the engine compartment. Unless I'm missing something basic, I assume that the suffing box cannot be restuffed in the water. The only other obvious method is to remove the shaft. I could loosten the bolts from the flange and separate the shaft from the transmission, but I doubt that I could bent the shaft enough to clear the obstruction and If I could, would this be wise to do in the water? Anyone with similar experience or suggestions? I can easily tighten the nut and reduce drip but I thought it was time to replace with teflon. Thanks. Lee

 

[Jim McCue]

Check recent posts in archives-

There was a post within the last 2-3 months by someone that discusses repacking "in water". There will be some "flow" while you work. Stay cool. Check the archives for his exact experiences. Keyword "packing".Jim McCue

 

[Don]

I did it on a 37.5...

Got lots of good advice from folks here. In the end I got no water flow and all went well.But, your problem with the shaft is a different one. Maybe someone will have specific experience.

 

[Roger Mummah]

We Do It In The Water!

We repack Endless Summer's (h31) shaft stuffing box with her in the water. I think out shaft packing is 3/16" so most of the hole in the boat is filled up witht the shaft. Water does come in, but not much. When I get the packing nut off I just wrap my hand around the shaft/stuffing box area where the water is coming in, and it reduces the flow to zilch. Once you start stuffing the packing around the shaft that will also reduce the water flow. So, to summarize, we do it in the water!