Stuffing Box Repair - Packing Gland Size

[c130king]

Can anyone provide me any info on what size packing gland to get to fix my leaky stuffing box.

Going to try and do this while we have the transmission off.

Cheers,
Jim

 

[Stu Jackson]

From a search on stuffing box

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=1027243&highlight=stuffing box

Scroll up to the top.

 

[c130king]

Thanks. Good stuff. I will use the search function before posting more questions.

Cheers,
Jim

 

[rpwillia]

Like the Gore stuff

I recall it was 3/16. I used the Gore stuff and that stuff is pretty sweet as I just don't have to think much about it. If you go thinner you can always do a wrap or two extra as it all gets smushed up in there anyway.

 

[Jeff652]

Can anyone provide me any info on what size packing gland to get to fix my leaky stuffing box.

Going to try and do this while we have the transmission off.

Cheers,
Jim

Here is a link to a truly remarkable site explaining how to repack the gland...http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/stuffing_box. (see all 3 pages)

I did the job about a year ago. The hardest part, by far, was getting the old and very hardened packing out. I uses a combination of picks and sometimes inserted a screw into the old packing to pull it out. People do talk about doing it while the boat is still in the water but from my experience I would not attempt it. The manual calls for 3/16" packing and that is what I used

 

[c130king]

This would be easier to do if we could take the "big" stuffing box nut off the prop shaft. But the coupling that connects to the transmission is on the shaft. We have removed both of the set screws that holds this coupling (flange??) on but it doesn't seem to want to come off the shaft. We have sprayed WD40 on it and have tapped it with the hammer.

Any ideas on how to get this coupling off the shaft?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Stu Jackson]

Jim, don't understand why you want to remove the coupling. You don't want to or need to do that. Have you read the link provided? Even with the transmission off, why mess with the shaft coupling?

http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Stuffing_box_packing

 

[DeniseO30]

DON'T HAMMER! get a puller or make something like this! Also, don't hammer the shaft back in when you re-assemble. it will damage your new transmission.

 

[c130king]

Stu, your post was excellent. Will be referencing it tomorrow on the boat when my friend and I do this job.

But the transmission is disconnected. Seems like it would be much easier to remove the old packing gland material if I could pull that nut off the shaft. But I can't because that coupling is in the way.

I could also get good access to all the threads and get them clean.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[DeniseO30]

Lots of boats don't have much space between the coupling and stuffing box. I can see it would be easier. the boat is out of the water Jim?

 

[c130king]

No. Boat is in the water. I have about 1.5 to 2 inches between forward end of big stuffing box nut and coupling.

But don't have a puller like in your diagram.

Guess we will try it with nut still on shaft and see what we can get done.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[DeniseO30]

it can be done with a piece of steel, bolts, and socket that is smaller then the shaft.

 

[Witzend]

Believe me even with Denise suggested tool,(which is a great idea), it ain't coming off, must remove the prop, pull the shaft out from inside and get a tourch on it at the same time using Denise's suggested tool. My suggestion at this point since this boat will be used rather frequently and needs to be tip top reliable running shape, is get the boat out of the water and do this right.
Replace the cutlas bearing, and shaft log while your at it, or at least check it out, because with your engine pulled, it is a unique opportunity to do so. Later on if you find you need to replace the cutlas, the shaft ain't coming out the other way because of the rudder. It is also a whole lot eayser to replace a cutlas bearing with the shaft out that with it in.

 

[rpwillia]

No need to pull the coupling off

... Seems like it would be much easier to remove the old packing gland material if I could pull that nut off the shaft. But I can't because that coupling is in the way....

You would be opening Pandora's box if you remove the coupling if you don't really need to. Maine Sail (I recall) had an excellent link about a year ago of a machinist on a youtube video who showed how you face a new coupling. Common wisdom sez that if you remove the coupling, then you need a new one as they should not be re-used. More expense and time and trouble you don't need. Get a sharp pick and just pry that old flax out, it isn't that hard; especially compared to the alternative.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

You would be opening Pandora's box if you remove the coupling if you don't really need to. Maine Sail (I recall) had an excellent link about a year ago of a machinist on a youtube video who showed how you face a new coupling. Common wisdom sez that if you remove the coupling, then you need a new one as they should not be re-used. More expense and time and trouble you don't need. Get a sharp pick and just pry that old flax out, it isn't that hard; especially compared to the alternative.

I agree with the above. If you're going to go through the time and expense of removing the coupling, go to a dripless system. Might not be a bad idea because the the hose that connects the stuffing box to the packing nut is probably original and should be replaced.

But if you go the repack route, there is a commercially made flax remover. It looks like a small cork screw. I borrowed one from a friend after two frustrating hours of trying to use the picks. It worked quick and easy.