I own a Hunter 340 1999. What is the proceedure to adjust the drip of the stuffing box? Thanks for your help. Richard
Stuffing Box
- Thread starter Duke13540
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Hi Richard, plastic or bronze?...
If of the bronze variety you will need two service wrenches that fit the box and the box lock nut. Ours I believe are 2-1/4" and 2-5/16". Service wrenches work the best as opposed to pipe wrenches or other adjustable type. I also have a 12" piece of SS pipe for each wrench that slides onto the handle for additional leverage. Once you break the lock nut loose, hand tighten the box. That is usually enough to slow the drip to an acceptable rate; no drips at rest and a drip about every six seconds when the prop shaft is spinning. Remember to lock the box with the nut. Terry
If of the bronze variety you will need two service wrenches that fit the box and the box lock nut. Ours I believe are 2-1/4" and 2-5/16". Service wrenches work the best as opposed to pipe wrenches or other adjustable type. I also have a 12" piece of SS pipe for each wrench that slides onto the handle for additional leverage. Once you break the lock nut loose, hand tighten the box. That is usually enough to slow the drip to an acceptable rate; no drips at rest and a drip about every six seconds when the prop shaft is spinning. Remember to lock the box with the nut. Terry
See "Test" on this list...
Stuffing box best replaced on the hards, not in the water REMOVAL Unscrew thin brass jam nut to free up big one Unscrew big brass nut completely. Spray WD-40 inside to loosen up flax. Turn corkscrew pick into first layer, pull Vise Grip offers better leverage Repeat until all layers removed 2 if was chinzy, 3 more likely Clear out brass seating of any loose debris so new flax sits well INSTALL Buy 13 inches Teflon 1/4 inch to cut into three pieces Cut the end at 45 degrees to dovetail with next cut, 45 degrees Turn first wrap tight, mark with blade (or do at home with 1-inch stanchion) Cut with share razor knife or Dremel saw Cut remaining 2 wraps to same size Poke first one in clockwise by turning big nut slowly Mark where it started with red pen Screw down onto shaft to pack, by hand only Loosen and repeat two more times Do not overtighten, or will burn flax and not seat properly TEST When launch, be prepared to tighten using wrench keep jam nut loose Should be no drips at rest, do not overtighten In gear, should be no more than 1-3 drops per minute preferably none Optimum is no drips in gear “1-3 is an old wives tale,” says Fred at Yard Tighten one flat at a time while in gear If the big nut is warm, back off as too tight burning the flax (unlikely) Always retighten the jam cleat to avoid inadvertent loosening When it’s right, try a day or week later takes time, be patient Check again for three weeks then three months later Should last three or four years okay to tighten one flat a time, over time
Stuffing box best replaced on the hards, not in the water REMOVAL Unscrew thin brass jam nut to free up big one Unscrew big brass nut completely. Spray WD-40 inside to loosen up flax. Turn corkscrew pick into first layer, pull Vise Grip offers better leverage Repeat until all layers removed 2 if was chinzy, 3 more likely Clear out brass seating of any loose debris so new flax sits well INSTALL Buy 13 inches Teflon 1/4 inch to cut into three pieces Cut the end at 45 degrees to dovetail with next cut, 45 degrees Turn first wrap tight, mark with blade (or do at home with 1-inch stanchion) Cut with share razor knife or Dremel saw Cut remaining 2 wraps to same size Poke first one in clockwise by turning big nut slowly Mark where it started with red pen Screw down onto shaft to pack, by hand only Loosen and repeat two more times Do not overtighten, or will burn flax and not seat properly TEST When launch, be prepared to tighten using wrench keep jam nut loose Should be no drips at rest, do not overtighten In gear, should be no more than 1-3 drops per minute preferably none Optimum is no drips in gear “1-3 is an old wives tale,” says Fred at Yard Tighten one flat at a time while in gear If the big nut is warm, back off as too tight burning the flax (unlikely) Always retighten the jam cleat to avoid inadvertent loosening When it’s right, try a day or week later takes time, be patient Check again for three weeks then three months later Should last three or four years okay to tighten one flat a time, over time
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