Stuffing box

[Tim Farley]

I need to repack my stuffing box on my 1979 27' Hunter. I have backed the locking nut off and have backed the packing nut off. But there still is no room to get at the packing. There is no space. I have less than 1/16" of space to get at the packing. How do I get more room so I can get to the packing? Someone told me if I remove the hose clamps it might give more room. I am open to anyone who can help. Thanks Tim

 

[steve rainey]

I just had the same problem with my 78 hunter 30'. Wanted to put in the teflon type while I had it out of the water. The only way to do it I was told by the experts at my marina when we don't have room to pick out the old stuff and put in the new is to take it out of the water and pull the shaft. Not much of a deal to do on mine.steve

 

[Chuck Fort]

I had to move the engine forward

I had to move the engine forward. I changed the motor mounts at the same time. I could not get the transmission coupling off, so I slid the unbolted engine up a ramp of 2 2x4's, pulled the prop off and slid the shaft out the front. Got it all back together, put it in the water, and the stern tube leaked. Pulled the boat back out and rebedded the stern tube with the boat hanging from the travelift. Relaunced the next day. Has been great ever since. No drip, no heat and all of the vibration is gone (new motor mounts and cutless bearing).

 

[Steve W.]

While you are at it...

replace the stuffing box hose as well. Cheap to do with the shaft already out. The hose on my 1986 was cracked almost completely through with dry rot. The peace of mind is worth the effort. You don't want that hose to fail. Good Luck.

 

[Tom Long]

...and another thing...

Recently had our favorite boatyard replace the stuffing box on our '86 H31, after my partner noticed major water leaking into the engine bilge. The packing nut and lock nut were nylon and we probably should have replaced this years ago. Anyway, look out for those nylon packing nuts. Hunter no doubt saved 20 bucks by installing the nylon parts instead of the bronze one like we now have. (Cost us more than $20 though).