All season I have been trying to fine-tune the stuffing box drip rate on my 1994 C320. According to the manual, when it is adjusted correctly, the water should drip (with the engine off and cold) one to two per minute. With the engine running in neutral, the drip rate should be between 4 and 15 drops per minute. The same drip rate should be found in gear at low revs. When I get the rate set to about 12 per minute with the engine running in neutral, I get no drips after the engine has been shut off and allowed to cool down. The diference between a drop a second and a drop every five seconds is only about 1/16 of a turn on the nut. Is this normal? How long does the packing last before having to be replaced ?
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C320
It is nearly impossible to get the advertised drips while the engine is off AND while running. My philosphy is that it needs the lubrication more when running than when not running. If it drips at all while not running, and the drip rate is 'normal' (give or take) when running (or after running), I leave it alone. You may want to ask this question on the C320 forum: c320@list.sailnet.net
It is nearly impossible to get the advertised drips while the engine is off AND while running. My philosphy is that it needs the lubrication more when running than when not running. If it drips at all while not running, and the drip rate is 'normal' (give or take) when running (or after running), I leave it alone. You may want to ask this question on the C320 forum: c320@list.sailnet.net
R
Ron
Stuffing box adjustment
Not sure what manual you're reading but normally when the shaft is not turning a stuffing box will leak very very little or not at all. When the shaft is turning you'd expect 2 or 3 drops a minute. Main thing you want to check is that the stuffing box does not get hot when the shaft is turning. A bit warm maybe but not hot. I change my packing every 2 or 2 1/2 years at haulout, whether it needs it or not. Here's a couple of threads that might help.. http://www.boatus.com/boattech/Casey/StuffingBox.htm http://www.alohaowners.com/pages/projects/stuffing/stuffing_box.htm
Not sure what manual you're reading but normally when the shaft is not turning a stuffing box will leak very very little or not at all. When the shaft is turning you'd expect 2 or 3 drops a minute. Main thing you want to check is that the stuffing box does not get hot when the shaft is turning. A bit warm maybe but not hot. I change my packing every 2 or 2 1/2 years at haulout, whether it needs it or not. Here's a couple of threads that might help.. http://www.boatus.com/boattech/Casey/StuffingBox.htm http://www.alohaowners.com/pages/projects/stuffing/stuffing_box.htm
R
Ron
Ron (gulf Coast)
Interesting links. They mention that the Hurst transmission should be placed in reverse while sailing. I have always stopped mine in forward. What's the diference ?
Interesting links. They mention that the Hurst transmission should be placed in reverse while sailing. I have always stopped mine in forward. What's the diference ?
J
John
Green stuff from WM
I like the green stuff from WM I changed my cutless bearing and wanted to use a dripless shaft gland but when i removed the shaft my packing nut had groved the shaft so i used the green clay from wm it works great its dripless and easey to use i packed the clay between two peaces of water proof flax and adjusst after about 10 hrs and its good for years with out even a addjustment no water in the bilge no drips to fool with. try it you will like it John
I like the green stuff from WM I changed my cutless bearing and wanted to use a dripless shaft gland but when i removed the shaft my packing nut had groved the shaft so i used the green clay from wm it works great its dripless and easey to use i packed the clay between two peaces of water proof flax and adjusst after about 10 hrs and its good for years with out even a addjustment no water in the bilge no drips to fool with. try it you will like it John
Stuffing Box
Ron (Gulf Coast)- when I read Ron's (Ottawa) post, I checked my manual for the diesel in my C320...it listed the same number of drips that Ron (Ottawa) mentioned. Ron (Ottawa)- Yanmar and my dealer said to sail with the xmsn in reverse or neutral. Reverse is preferred, but neutral is okay as long as I'm not on a transoceanic voyage. Here's the verbage on why forward is not good: The propeller shaft tends to turn clockwise, (viewed from the rear) . With the transmission in forward, the shifter spring tends to push the mating surfaces of forward large gear and drive cone together preventing movement of the propeller shaft but the tendency of output shaft to rotate tends to separate the mating surfaces because of the spiral splines, leading to the potential for slippage. Whether it slips or not depends on the through the water speed, the condition of the shifter springs and shifter adjustment, and the characteristics of the propeller. Since the action of the splines and the shifter springs are in opposite directions, if movement does occur, it will be with the shifter cone continually engaged, leading to unnecessary wear of the shifter cone and forward large gear mating surface.
Ron (Gulf Coast)- when I read Ron's (Ottawa) post, I checked my manual for the diesel in my C320...it listed the same number of drips that Ron (Ottawa) mentioned. Ron (Ottawa)- Yanmar and my dealer said to sail with the xmsn in reverse or neutral. Reverse is preferred, but neutral is okay as long as I'm not on a transoceanic voyage. Here's the verbage on why forward is not good: The propeller shaft tends to turn clockwise, (viewed from the rear) . With the transmission in forward, the shifter spring tends to push the mating surfaces of forward large gear and drive cone together preventing movement of the propeller shaft but the tendency of output shaft to rotate tends to separate the mating surfaces because of the spiral splines, leading to the potential for slippage. Whether it slips or not depends on the through the water speed, the condition of the shifter springs and shifter adjustment, and the characteristics of the propeller. Since the action of the splines and the shifter springs are in opposite directions, if movement does occur, it will be with the shifter cone continually engaged, leading to unnecessary wear of the shifter cone and forward large gear mating surface.
W
Windwalker
to drip or not to drip
Here's the simple high level parameters for shaft seals - They need just enough lubrication when in motion to provide cooling to the shaft (aka, if the shaft stays cool when running, it's got enough lubrication). When not in motion, the shaft needs no lube (aka, no drips? consider yourself lucky). Bottom line, if your shaft runs cool at your present drip rate & stays dry when stopped, you're in good shape.
Here's the simple high level parameters for shaft seals - They need just enough lubrication when in motion to provide cooling to the shaft (aka, if the shaft stays cool when running, it's got enough lubrication). When not in motion, the shaft needs no lube (aka, no drips? consider yourself lucky). Bottom line, if your shaft runs cool at your present drip rate & stays dry when stopped, you're in good shape.
R
Ron
drips
Pulled out the manual for my C36 and it says 4 to 10 drops per minute with the engine off. I almost think that's a type error. I've always adjusted packing glands to get 2 or 3 drops per min with the shaft turning and zero (or near) when stationary. I've never experienced a problem on a Helms 24, a C30 and a C36. Like Windwaler said, if the stuffing box doesn't get hot when the shaft is turning it's getting enough water and life is good. John mentioned the green drip-less packing from WM. I tried it on the C30 and it worked great. No drips at all.
Pulled out the manual for my C36 and it says 4 to 10 drops per minute with the engine off. I almost think that's a type error. I've always adjusted packing glands to get 2 or 3 drops per min with the shaft turning and zero (or near) when stationary. I've never experienced a problem on a Helms 24, a C30 and a C36. Like Windwaler said, if the stuffing box doesn't get hot when the shaft is turning it's getting enough water and life is good. John mentioned the green drip-less packing from WM. I tried it on the C30 and it worked great. No drips at all.
R
Ron
Thanks to all
For ten years I sailed a Mirage 25 with a sail drive; therefore, no stuffing box and always a dry bilge. I am continually learning about my 320. I will put the gear in reverse for sailing and hope that no damage has been done by leaving it in forward as, I have been doing.
For ten years I sailed a Mirage 25 with a sail drive; therefore, no stuffing box and always a dry bilge. I am continually learning about my 320. I will put the gear in reverse for sailing and hope that no damage has been done by leaving it in forward as, I have been doing.
R
Ron
transmission
Almost hate to bring it up, but if you have an AUTOPROP(brand) feathering propeller the transmission should be left in forward when sailing. For all other props (that I know of) the transmission should be in reverse or neutral. Don't ya just love it?
Almost hate to bring it up, but if you have an AUTOPROP(brand) feathering propeller the transmission should be left in forward when sailing. For all other props (that I know of) the transmission should be in reverse or neutral. Don't ya just love it?
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