Stuffing Box Repack

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Apr 5, 2010
565
Catalina 27- 1984 Grapevine
I tried leaving mine just tight enough that it does not drip at all while in gear as a test, ran for approx 30 minutes around 2600rpm. Checked the shaft twice, not warm at all. My question is, under my circumstances, only using for 30 minutes at a time in gear, is it really necessary to have the drip on the shaft for cooling?
 
Dec 2, 2010
76
Catalina 30mk cataumet Mass
Stuffing BOX

WELL I looked at the stuffing box, and yes, the nut is right under the sole where the sink and counter is. SO, I am putting it off for now. I have to see how bad it is really leaking. If anyone has a good suggestion as how to do this, it would be appreciated.
Not to much thinking by the the designer. Looks like how an American car is built.:)
 

Bob S

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Sep 27, 2007
1,797
Beneteau 393 New Bedford, MA
Bob,

mine was directly under the cabinet face I know what you mean :confused:impossible to get 2 wrenches on it. I was thinking of making an offset wrench someday. What I did was to take some PB Blaster and sprayed it into the cap and applied it to the nuts with an acid brush. Be careful and patient. Took about 4 applications soaking overnight and I was able to break the retaining nut using a small ball peen hammer and a center punch. You have to be patient not to destroy the nut if it doesn't move easy reapply PB. Once I had it free I used a stainless wire brush in my drill to clean the green tarnish from the nut and threads. Repacked it and tightened with a wrench that MaineSail suggested. The angle the wrench takes to engage doesn't do a great job in tightening it. It's not much tighter than hand tight. I've had no trouble with it after 2 seasons. I actually was worried I was not getting any water dripping yet the shaft has always been only slightly warm to the touch after many hours of motoring.
My offer still stands for 3/16 packing. I have 3 bands already cut in a bag if you need it.
 
Dec 2, 2010
76
Catalina 30mk cataumet Mass
Chris,
I looked at the project and the cabin sole is directly over the nuts. I am going to wait until the fall or early spring. What a stupid setup.
Thanks, BobCaat
 

jrowan

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Mar 5, 2011
1,294
O'Day 35 Severn River, Mobjack Bay, Va.
Bob, You have some good ideas on how to break the packing nut free. I tried to open it last fall to repack & it wouldn't budge. I had the same green corrosion on the surface. Doesn't look like mine's been opened up in eons. I may try your soaking in PB Blaster trick. Or I may just wait till the next haul out to deal with it. I was worried about stripping off the nut. My problem is that the seam continues to drip about once per every 3 -4 seconds even when the engine prop shaft isn't turning. Nothing my bilge pump can't handle, but it keeps my bilge wet. I would love to have a dry bilge, but may wait for a while to deal with it.
 

gpdno

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May 16, 2011
144
Watkins 27 Venice
When I first bought my boat the packing nut was frozen hard. Took me three days, a can of PB Blaster and two big pipe wrenches to loose it.
Soaked it with PB blaster waited, tried. No joy. Waited a day, soaked with more PB Blaster, tried. No joy. Third day soaked it with PB Blaster, cursed and swore. Got it loose :)
 
Dec 2, 2010
76
Catalina 30mk cataumet Mass
Stu,
I launched BobCat on tuesday. Stuffing box was leaking more than normal. The mechanic easily got a small pipe wrench on the nuts. he accessed it from the access under the drawers in the galley. Loosened the big on and then the narrow one. moved the small one and then tightened the large one with the packing. Stopped the leak.
I believe we exchanged emails. I will look and hope to get together soon on Buzzards Bay.
Bob
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,005
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Stu,
I launched BobCat on tuesday. Stuffing box was leaking more than normal. The mechanic easily got a small pipe wrench on the nuts. he accessed it from the access under the drawers in the galley. Loosened the big on and then the narrow one. moved the small one and then tightened the large one with the packing. Stopped the leak.
I believe we exchanged emails. I will look and hope to get together soon on Buzzards Bay.
Bob
Great to hear. So, now you know how to do it, right? :)
 
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