Stuffing box
- Thread starter dawniewilson
- Start date
If it’s a traditional it’s very easy. Get two wrenches, turn nuts in opposite direction to loosen locking nut which is thinner nut, then tighten larger 1/4 turn. Then snug locking nut up to keep in place. See if that works.... if not tighten bit more. As a side note I always would make sure the surface was clean and would add some Teflon greases to keep things moving
This may help with the adjustment. I did mine to not drip while stationary and 10 drips per minute while turning.
It tool very very small amounts of adjustments on the packing nut.
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/i...-traditional-stuffing-box.125430/#post-775788
It tool very very small amounts of adjustments on the packing nut.
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/i...-traditional-stuffing-box.125430/#post-775788
As with anything on a boat that you don't know, it isn't a bad idea to have a technician come aboard and do the job and show you how, at the same time. $75.00 isn't all that much money for a lesson that will stay with you for a lifetime.
That said, adjusting your stuffing box is a pretty simple job that anyone can do, but if done improperly, it can cost you big bucks in the end.
That said, adjusting your stuffing box is a pretty simple job that anyone can do, but if done improperly, it can cost you big bucks in the end.
Thanks- sound advice. I broke enough things fixing my VW bug back when that I shy away from repairing my boat engine!
I have 2 sink spanner wrenches just for this purpose. You want the drip rate to be just a few drips per minute with the engine running. It will probably take a little trial and error.
If you can’t get that rate, you will need to replace the packing, which should be done with the boat out of the water!
As others commented, get someone who’s experienced to show you how if you’re not comfortable with it. The drip rate is something you should check periodically, and adjust if needed.
If you can’t get that rate, you will need to replace the packing, which should be done with the boat out of the water!
As others commented, get someone who’s experienced to show you how if you’re not comfortable with it. The drip rate is something you should check periodically, and adjust if needed.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,521
Dawnie,
Try this link to MainSail's site. It is very clear description with pictures.
https://marinehowto.com/re-packing-a-traditional-stuffing-box/
Try this link to MainSail's site. It is very clear description with pictures.
https://marinehowto.com/re-packing-a-traditional-stuffing-box/
My first advice is to follow the steps in the video clip that John linked. Next, please do not use the wrenches shown to loosen/tighten the lock nut and box, use a Service wrench of the correct size for your boat as follows: https://www.grainger.com/product/19...85254&ef_id=WdJ1uQAABOKILMOI:20171002172201:s
I added a twelve inch piece of SS pipe to each wrench for additional leverage that just slide over the handle. Flatten the pipe a bit so that it will slide further onto the handle. These work much better than those in the video, IMHO.
The lock nut flats on our boat are of a different size than the box flats. As I recall the box is two inch and the lock nut two and one-sixteenth. You can find these wrenches on line at a better price than the link above. Also, the video shows easy access to the stuffing box, unlike the horrible situation on our boat.
I added a twelve inch piece of SS pipe to each wrench for additional leverage that just slide over the handle. Flatten the pipe a bit so that it will slide further onto the handle. These work much better than those in the video, IMHO.
The lock nut flats on our boat are of a different size than the box flats. As I recall the box is two inch and the lock nut two and one-sixteenth. You can find these wrenches on line at a better price than the link above. Also, the video shows easy access to the stuffing box, unlike the horrible situation on our boat.
I can appreciate your concern at DIY since you have had some unfortunate experiences with your VW bug in the past. However, you can pull your VW off the road and make a phone call and not be trapped in it while it sinks because you did not know how to stop what ever was wrong.
Just a thought to consider, your boat, your life, your crew's lives...... Hay! you could kill somebody by not knowing how to fix a boat part.......do the right thing.
Just a thought to consider, your boat, your life, your crew's lives...... Hay! you could kill somebody by not knowing how to fix a boat part.......do the right thing.
Before you loosen the lock nut you probably have all kinds of dirt and crud all over the threads on the stuffing box. Take an old tooth brush and some WD40 or equivalent and clean the threads so the lock nut does not ingest grit into the threads when you unscrew it. Once clean add some grease as noted previously for long term lubrication and corrosion protection.
The stuffing box on my 1988 O'Day 322 is a bit different and doesn't accept standard wrenches...I use pipe wrenches.
We did not ask if the boat is in the water...I am assuming it is, and you certainly can adjust the packing nut in the water...just don't break anything...particularly the hose between the stuffing box and the shaft log.
If you have to repack the stuffing box, you can do that in the water if necessary, but you need to take some steps to slow water infiltration from around the shaft.
Good luck with your project.
Greg
We did not ask if the boat is in the water...I am assuming it is, and you certainly can adjust the packing nut in the water...just don't break anything...particularly the hose between the stuffing box and the shaft log.
If you have to repack the stuffing box, you can do that in the water if necessary, but you need to take some steps to slow water infiltration from around the shaft.
Good luck with your project.
Greg