Stuffing box is hot

[karen]

We hauled our C27 to paint the bottom and also replace the packing in the stuffing box. When we fired up the engine after it went back in the water, the box seemed hot. Is this normal? Could there be a problem elsewhere ie transmission? This has turned into Pandora's box, since there was just a drip before we started this project. Now we're afraid to run the engine. Should we call a professional? We've replaced packing before but not with this result.Please share comments- type of packing, method of placement, any tricks in re-installing etc.Thanks, Karen

 

[Les Murray]

Your packing may be too tight

Karen,Sounds as if you have tightened the stuffing box too tight. It should be tightened to the point where there are about 2-3 drips per minute when the shaft is turning. If you have no drips, then it is too tight.An alternative to a dripping stuffing box is to use Gortex GFO packing. I put that in this year. I don't have any dripping and my stuffing box is not hot.Les Murrays/v Ceilidh'86 C-36 #560

 

[Peter]

Stuffing Box

I agree with Les. The most likely cause of the excessive heat is due to the stuffing box being over tightened. Loosen it up and then check how hot it's getting.

 

[Walt]

Ditto

Same thing happened to me this season. The problem is the packing gland has been over tightened. Or you've got too many rings of packing in there.Just back off the nut until some water starts flowing in, then hand tighten until it stops. If you use the gore-tex, you shouldn't get any dripping. Then lock it down.Also, before you do any of this, see if you can turn the shaft easily by hand. If you can't, it's too tight.Good luck