Stuffing box dry running, drips when engine is off?

[omac]

Hey Stuffing box experts,

My 84 CS 36T Stuffing box has a peculiar issue. There is a slow/steady drip when the engine isn't running, but during operation the stuffing box goes dry (all in slip testing). It runs cool, but this is not my understanding on how the Stuffing box is supposed to work.

Would anyone have some insight?

Thanks in advance,

Mac

 

[Davidasailor26]

Are you sure it’s dry when running? Sometimes the water gets thrown off the shaft in a bit of spray so it’s not as noticeable as a drip.

If that’s not the case I don’t have much explanation, other than to say if it’s cool when running you could try to tighten it a bit to reduce the at-rest dripping then check it again.

 

[jssailem]

with @Davidasailor26.
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Re-Packing A Traditional Stuffing Box - Marine How To

The Stuffing Box (click any image to see a larger version) While digging around in some old boat parts boxes I found a stuffing box from an older sailboat. I though it would be a good time to rig it up

marinehowto.com