Does anyone know the correct assembly of a plastic Stuffing Box? I bought a 1992 H28 last fall and recently dropped the rudder and pulled the prop shaft so I could replace the cutlass bearing. The Stuffing Box has two plastic washers and one thinner metal washer. When I removed the old packing material, there were two layers (rings). After this long winter, I can't remember the order the parts go back together. Is the order Plastic washer, packing, plastic washer, packing then the metal washer or does the metal washer go in first? The way I have it together right now is: packing, plastic washer, packing, plastic washer, packing and the nut (I left the metal washer out). I tried to get three layers in but I don't think the nut is threading on enough to be safe. Is two layers OK? I am scheduled to launch on 21 April and am rushing to get everything done! Thanks to anyone who can help.
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throw out the plastic
Don't bother to reinstall the plastic. Get brass. Believe me, the plastic will eventually fail and Murphy's Law will prevail!!!!!!!!
Don't bother to reinstall the plastic. Get brass. Believe me, the plastic will eventually fail and Murphy's Law will prevail!!!!!!!!
Scott, that plastic is nylon.
impervious to everything that ruins bronze except heat. And by the time it melts, the boat has burned to the waterline.
impervious to everything that ruins bronze except heat. And by the time it melts, the boat has burned to the waterline.
Nothing wrong with Nylon stuff box.
Steve: I disagree with Scott. The bronze boxes get corroded and become nearly impossible to adjust, even with wrenches. Our nylon stuffing box is still adjustable my hand. Our boat is a 1985 H'31.
Steve: I disagree with Scott. The bronze boxes get corroded and become nearly impossible to adjust, even with wrenches. Our nylon stuffing box is still adjustable my hand. Our boat is a 1985 H'31.
what I did
search the archives for the topic "Just took it apart" in 2004 for a description of what my stuffing box was like. Don't claim that this is the right configuration but its what was in the boat when I bought it... Jeff
search the archives for the topic "Just took it apart" in 2004 for a description of what my stuffing box was like. Don't claim that this is the right configuration but its what was in the boat when I bought it... Jeff
My '93 just cracked and
am replacing it with bronze when the boat comes out next week. I would have used the nylon again for the reasons others cite abive, but seems no one makes the nylon anymore. Being a free market kinda guy, I suspect there must be something to be concerned with if no one makes nylon anymore?
am replacing it with bronze when the boat comes out next week. I would have used the nylon again for the reasons others cite abive, but seems no one makes the nylon anymore. Being a free market kinda guy, I suspect there must be something to be concerned with if no one makes nylon anymore?
Can't find it in the archives
Jeff, I searched the 2004 archives using "Just took it apart" and could not locate the information you mentioned. Can you give me a better pointer? Thanks.
Jeff, I searched the 2004 archives using "Just took it apart" and could not locate the information you mentioned. Can you give me a better pointer? Thanks.
Don, unheard of,
Need more info. What is your boat? We are talking about nylon here. You can't crack nylon with a sledge hammer!
Need more info. What is your boat? We are talking about nylon here. You can't crack nylon with a sledge hammer!
Fred...see pic.
on the link below to a prior posting a couple of weeks ago when it first happened. Cracked much easier than I thought, but then again it's 12 years old. Boat is 1993 37.5. Will try to repost this pic with this posting too.
on the link below to a prior posting a couple of weeks ago when it first happened. Cracked much easier than I thought, but then again it's 12 years old. Boat is 1993 37.5. Will try to repost this pic with this posting too.
Thanks Don
Well, mine is going on 20 years old and it's like new. It has that touch-feely slippery texture. Without knowing the conditions you were operating/storing in, well, that's a real head-shaker. This stuff has been the standby of our tires for 60 years. I guess you really torqued it, like you said. I have one of those packing nut wrenches but never used it. Mine has only been hand tightened. I use drip-free packing. I know you don't want to tell, but how did you break it?
Well, mine is going on 20 years old and it's like new. It has that touch-feely slippery texture. Without knowing the conditions you were operating/storing in, well, that's a real head-shaker. This stuff has been the standby of our tires for 60 years. I guess you really torqued it, like you said. I have one of those packing nut wrenches but never used it. Mine has only been hand tightened. I use drip-free packing. I know you don't want to tell, but how did you break it?
Fred . . .
How did you use the drip-free packing with your nylon stuffing box? I tried many years ago, first time I replace my stuffing. I can't remember if I had one or two layers of packing in my stuffing box, but the drip-free was to be placed between two layers of packing. Seems like a needed space for three layers in order to use it. I returned the drip-free, but would still like to go the drip-free route without the expense of a mechanical shaft seal.
How did you use the drip-free packing with your nylon stuffing box? I tried many years ago, first time I replace my stuffing. I can't remember if I had one or two layers of packing in my stuffing box, but the drip-free was to be placed between two layers of packing. Seems like a needed space for three layers in order to use it. I returned the drip-free, but would still like to go the drip-free route without the expense of a mechanical shaft seal.
Mike,
It's been a long time. I'm trying to remember. I've even changed the shaft. The nut no longer hand tightens so it's time to install the leftover Dripfree. You're right, I'm waffling. I recall removing the outer packing and then the next packing. Water did NOT flood in so I assumed a third row of packing was there. Have you ever stuck your head into the compartment above the packing nut on a H34? Ya can't even spit!
It's been a long time. I'm trying to remember. I've even changed the shaft. The nut no longer hand tightens so it's time to install the leftover Dripfree. You're right, I'm waffling. I recall removing the outer packing and then the next packing. Water did NOT flood in so I assumed a third row of packing was there. Have you ever stuck your head into the compartment above the packing nut on a H34? Ya can't even spit!
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