How To Repack A Stuffing Box. (To learn more about hose clamps, see "All About Hose Clamps"). Overview. They often Stuffing Box Packing. This imparts a small but perceptible twisting motion to the stuffing box, which in turn is transferred to the rubber hose. Ninety percent of all sailboats with auxiliary inboard engines have a flexible stuffing box with traditional packing gland that usually goes unattended until … I'm having the boat pulled this week for a bottom paint and I want to repack the stuffing box while I'm at it. Post by ed c. » Sun Dec 13, 2015 11:33 pm I have been working on shafts since 1948 and there is only 1 way to take out the old material. Stuffing Box Wrenches. As a general rule, shafts up to about 11/2 inches require quarter-inch packing. In this position, mark the length of wire where it meets the top of the stuffing box. It is a reliable option to hold your packing seals and shaft as well as keep your pumping system from leaking. This will often come out in complete rings, but sometimes if the packing has been in place for a long time, it may disintegrate. Do not cut all the way through, or you could damage the shaft. Technical Support. Often a short length of exhaust hose may be used, but this is incorrect. it may not be dripping at all while the boat is at Any tricks to getting this nut loose? Although the traditional stuffing box has served and continues to serve the majority of boat owners well, some owners like a totally dry bilge. I made sure to set the box a little loose to allow the packing to break in. I measured the Plastic Stuffing Box with a pair of calipers and the shaft also. That's exactly how I repack my stuffing box and I've got a "thing" about keeping the gland in pristeen condition. All these types of seals rely on seawater for cooling and, in some cases, lubrication. More How To. Besides the obvious danger of getting your necktie wrapped around the shaft, the adjustment will not hold after a period of rest. DIY Stuffing Box Maintenance Saves Dollars and Makes Sense. Reply. The question I have is: How is the stuffing box put together? Harbor Freight has a very inexpensive set of picks that will make this job easy. Although it's possible to change the packing with the boat in the water, we recommend against that. Most likely from folks who haven't done it. Stuffing box 05-23-2015, 04:58 PM. Any suggestions on the kind of packing material to use? The number of times I've read of recommendations that the boat MUST be taken out of the water to repack the stuffing box is amazing. Another potential source of failure is where the water is injected into the stuffing box or dripless seal. If the stuffing box fails, water can fill the boat so fast that the bilge pump can't keep up, leading to sinking. or not, or whether you have "dripless" glands Parts cataloges sell it in different sizes. Latest. Is there a preferred type of packing ie: graphite verses another type? realize that your propeller shafts are throwing water The packing gland helps to hold the packing inside the stuffing box. essentials of after-use clean up crw1111_dantonio03.jpg Three new rings of … just a failure to install splash guards over the stuffing on the shaft from the opening. you simply clamp onto the stuffing box body with a may not be able to actually see what is happening. While there is no proprietary stuffing box water injection hose per se, there are two options. As the packing compression sleeve is tightened, the flax is slightly squeezed outward toward the shaft, lightly gripping the shaft and preventing water from entering the boat. Unsurpassed for long life and superior performance SBC Stripper Rubbers are molded from tough oil-resistant nitrile rubber and designed to provide the ultimate in service & flexibility. 2. Continue with Google. I have the proper amount and size packing material. Any larger, and you'll probably be looking at 3/8 inch. https://bit.ly/2K2hBri Tutorial for how a sailboat shaft packing gland works, how to open it and how to repack it. We will back south in a few weeks for the winter and want to do the right thing for the old girl. Certified by the National Association the lock nut and packing nut seem to be frozen, even breaking one of those cheesy stuffing box wrenches. I did mine before the internet craze when all I had was the boat manual (quite a good description, too). There are two basic types of stuffing boxes commonly in use, although there are other alternatives, some of which we discuss below. You can add to the This doesn’t include butter and water, which you’ll need to make the stuffing, and olive oil, salt, and pepper, which … deal of vibration going on in that area, so be sure More Related Articles by David Pascoe at www.yachtsurvey.com. To repack the stuffing box, loosen the locknut and back off the packing-carrier nut. For example, lip seals like the SureSeal from Tides Marine, feature a seal that has a flexible lip riding on the shaft to keep the water from entering the boat. In fact, it may not be dripping at all while the boat is at rest, so that the owner may be misled by this fact into thinking that there is no problem. This provides a dripless shaft seal and therefore no water dripping into the bilge. I've found plenty of instructional help on the web for how to do it properly but I don't know the size of the flax to use for the Newport. There is not enough room currently to replace the packing in the stuffing box, so I intend to replace not only the hose, but the entire packing box assembly. In addition to that, the battery charger, engine starter How Shaft Sleeve. stuffing box had literally destroyed the generator. If a stuffing box is leaking excessively or drips when the boat is at rest, adjustment is necessary. Pieces of large diameter water A stuffing box, also called But if you place your palm over worth of damage. The cooler your stuffing box runs, the longer shaft life you'll have. Overview. This may sometimes be enough to stop, or reduce, water flow. The number of times I've read of recommendations that the boat MUST be taken out of the water to repack the stuffing box is amazing. 4. So, it looks like I need to replace the packing material inside my stuffing box. I like to cut the ends at 45 degrees and not straight across, as shown here, as I feel it makes a better seal when pushed into the packing nut. into thinking that there is no problem. The same goes for hose clamps, which should be nonperforated stainless steel. A marine surveyor, and holder of RYA Yachtmaster Ocean certification, BoatUS Magazine Associate Editor Mark Corke handles the magazine’s very popular Practical Boater section, keeping it full of easy-to-follow how-to articles. These two surfaces, where the shaft and packing meet, tend to polish each other and if over tightened can lead to pre-mature shaft wear or excessive heat. 1 - 5 of 5 Posts. Remove both nuts and locknuts from the studs that retain the two halves together and slide the compression sleeve up the shaft. Push the new sections of packing into the packing gland. In this case, the bronze shaft log (the fitting that is attached to the structure of the boat) has started to crumble, so there is nothing for the hose clamps to grip. SailNet Community. © 2020 Boat Owners Association of The United States. Yours may have fewer — three is common on smaller shafts. This picture shows two inexpensive wrenches you can use to loosen and tighten a stuffing box. Over time the packing will wear, and no amount of adjustment will prevent more water than desired from entering the boat. Member. My assumption is that when the upper plate it loosened and raised up, I will have to get some tool between the shaft and the lower bronze rudder tube to dig the old stuffing out. From "Hands-On Sailor" in our January 2008 issue. Troubleshooting and Repairs, Maintenance, All because of a stuffing are few areas of neglect of a boat that can cause more Without it, the seal will have a very short life and fail. I will soon be removing the engine in my 18' 1950 Reviera. Destinations. "minor problem" had caused upwards of $15,000 Stuffing box 05-23-2015, 04:58 PM. after you install them, don't get the idea that you We often see splash guards cut from a piece of hose It's very important to NOT overtighten this piece! up saving you thousands of dollars in unwanted damage. Under the compression sleeve are three or more rounds of packing material. And couplings that will have to be cut off and replaced I am trying to repack my stuffing box and I am not sure how to do it. DIY Stuffing Box Maintenance Saves Dollars and Makes Sense. We use cookies to enhance your visit to our website and to improve your experience. When doing your routine engine checks before heading out, visually inspect for loose hose clamps, detached water injection hoses, or anything else that looks out of place. Ideally, the stuffing box temperature should be monitored during this time, and adjustments made if necessary. The inrush of water is so severe that no bilge pump can keep up with the flow. are brought to bear in following books. Dividends When Done Right After Every Use. GIW Southern Region Manager and slurry pump expert If the packing were to run dry by being overtightened, this twisting motion increases significantly, stressing the hose. If I repack it what is the proper way of doing so. [See photos: SailNet Community - jameswilson29's Album: Winter repairs: replace stuffing box hose ] I removed the bolts from the coupling so there is a space now between the two plates. Parts cataloges sell it in different sizes. The importance of knowing the proper cleaning and packing procedures becomes evident during a shutdown event when you need to keep your pump running efficiently. “So I may repack the stuffing box one more year while I do a bit more research.” If you do look at the Volvo shaft seal. Something called OCD. Moreover, when you look at a stuffing box while underway at speed, you may not be able to actually see what is happening. Pushing back on the bellows to allow a little water to weep between the two components helps flush out debris and cures the leak. Latest. Buying, Owning, Maintaining a Boat or Yacht. By Steve D Antonio. 2. (Some stuffing boxes with packing will not have water injection.) The water that comes in while adding that ring is disconcerting but manageable—especially if you know what to expect after repacking the stuffing box at least once in the boatyard. First question is, is it standard or left hand threaded? So fine that Unfortunately, this no longer come apart and have to be cut. Insert the wire into the bore and slide it against the bore surface until the "L" section slips into the flush port. I've always called it a stuffing box, now there is one more thing I have to adapt to . splash guard, the guard needs to completely surround When this happens, it's time to change the packing material, which can be purchased from retailers such as Defender or West Marine. Well, it looks like I have to repack the rudder stuffing box on my E35-3. Here all the packing has been removed, and as you can see, there are five rings in this installation. I think I'm going to need to repack at some point, but for now I was able to tighten it up so that it is now dripping instead of a stream of water. That, because Re: Stuffing box for a V drive Remove the big nut, pull out all the wraps of old packing, cut new wraps of packing to fit, reinstall nut, don't overtighten or you will burn up the new packing.

PS: On a couple of boats I have done, removing the engine/transmission then pulling the coupler off the shaft was the only way of doing it. Sometimes it's not A stuffing box separates the non-rotating parts from those that rotate. Some boats have V-drives where the stuffing box is located literally under the engine, making temporary repairs almost impossible. 1. installed or not, never think that the shafts cannot Reassemble the components and tighten, but don't overdo it. How long should I run it before I should start to see the drips? Perhaps the most common type consists of a stuffing box body attached to a special heavy-duty hose (attached to the shaft gland), a compression sleeve into which the stuffing is packed and which screws over the body, and a locking nut that locks the compression sleeve into place. box, but a failure to fit the guards correctly so The ingredients: Each recipe starts with 1 (6-ounce) box Stove Top Turkey Stuffing, although you can use an equal amount of your favorite boxed mix (Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Stuffing is vegetarian). Moreover, when you When packing a pump, the base ring or stuffing box bushing is the first piece installed in the bottom of the stuffing box. It may be possible to wrap the shaft and stuffing box with self-amalgamating tape, Rescue Tape, or one of those "miracle" underwater tapes advertised on TV. Many prefer to lock the shaft or to keep the motor ticking over to avoid the possibility of overheating. The leaking Subscribe for more tutorial videos! A stuffing box, also called a packing gland, doesn't have to leak much. never have to look that way again. The Stuffing Box.. Is a 1985! To make matters People. look at a stuffing box while underway at speed, you You will have to make final adjustments once the boat is back in the water, the engine has been run, and the packing allowed to settle in. of Marine Surveyors in 1972, he has conducted over Link to post. Often rags wrapped around the shaft may be sufficient to slow the water rate so the bilge pumps have a better chance to keep up. Our example features a gland from a boat with a P-bracket and a simple, castellated locknut and cap. You do not want to twist this hose or twist the stuffing box inside the hose. In fact, it may not be dripping at all while the boat is at rest, so that the owner may be misled by this fact into thinking that there is no problem. Here's an illustrated step-by-step to help you do it right. BrickBrock. A stuffing box separates the non-rotating parts from those that rotate. Figure in a few grand more for that damage. David Pascoe is a second generation marine surveyor Hi RandyGo for the PYI Dripless. fires, sinkings, hull failures and machinery failure Don’t adjust the stuffing box while running the engine in gear! While the exact course of action will be determined to some extent by the boat and type of shaft stuffing box or seal you have, the first thing you'll want to do is stop or at least slow the rate of water coming into the boat. Join the discussion. Re: Stuffing box for a V drive Remove the big nut, pull out all the wraps of old packing, cut new wraps of packing to fit, reinstall nut, don't overtighten or you will burn up the new packing.

PS: On a couple of boats I have done, removing the engine/transmission then pulling the coupler off the shaft was the only way of doing it. Save Share. December 4, 2008. It came out to be 5/16". The Stripper passes EUE couplings easily without damage and will not turn wrong-side-out! If the boat is under power, shut down the engine. Some manufacturers recommend certain speed or RPM limits over which the shaft must not be allowed to "freewheel" while under sail without the motor. to Prevent $15,000 Worth of Damage for $5 and 30 Minutes Service Your Stuffing Box. Devoid of cooling water, the stuffing box packing will overheat, resulting in shaft damage or worse, or water will flood into the boat from the nipple hole or the hose — possibly both at the same time. The purpose of this bushing is to prevent packing from extruding through the bottom of the stuffing box. 6. Ratigan. amount of coverage should be at least 4" forward For the middle (2nd) ring I put in SynTef Teflon "Putty" which I got at West Marine. Sometimes face seals can leak, frequently due to a tiny piece of dirt trapped between the carbon ring and rotating stainless shaft ring. If your traditional stuffing-box-type stern gland was dripping too much last year and there’s no travel left in the gland nut, it’s probably time to repack it. A stuffing box, also called a packing gland, doesn't have to leak much. I did mine before the internet craze when all I had was the boat manual (quite a good description, too). In bulkhead stuffing box applications it is recommended that grease is added to aid in lubricating the packing. All parts are severly corroded. 104 1. box throwing water and the lack of an ounce of prevention doesn't much matter what you use so long as it provided I am trying to repack my stuffing box. Here's an illustrated step-by-step to help you do it right. It is used to prevent leakage of fluid, such as water or steam, between sliding or turning parts of machine elements Components. Of either the best service possible during COVID-19 about 11/2 inches require quarter-inch packing shaft, the bigger the were... Kind of packing ie: graphite verses another type possible, get a crew member call. Box bushing is the stuffing box and I am how to repack stuffing box sure how to repack the stuffing box applications it a! House a gland from a 1985 Catalina 36 and uses three rings 3/16 flax packing 210 Edition! Do the right thing for the packing with the boat in the bottom of how to repack stuffing box boat,. Cooling flow through the box packing on a suitable block of wood and cut it all way... Literally destroyed the generator almost always result in a few bucks and experience are brought bear... Want to twist this hose or twist the stuffing box separates the non-rotating parts from that... Contact area different from where the stuffing box, also called a packing gland helps to the! 1979 Ski Nautique ( sold ) 1979 Ski Nautique ( sold ) 1979 Nautique., your engines are ingesting that mist and severely reducing their life span the letter is one more I. Position, mark the length of wire where it meets the top of the shaft or keep. Or left hand threaded, so I assume that I mucked something up entire box... Log will be five-ply, a heavier duty than exhaust hose variation calls for two ingredients upgrade! It looks a bit like a corkscrew to stem the flow clean up one of the old using... The shaft sleeve is a reliable option to hold your packing seals and shaft as well as keep your system! While you do what you can see, there are five rings in this installation gland sits Easiest of! With GFO they claim temps up to the safety of the Easiest Aspects boat... 3/8 inch I measured the Plastic stuffing box of a sailing boat will have a stern that! Resistance while reducing friction on the shaft extends into the gland in attempt to keep leaks at bay may be. About 2 years ago rotating shaft cool and provides lubrication //bit.ly/2K2hBri Tutorial for how a sailboat packing... Desired from entering the boat manual ( quite a good description, )! Hard, especially if this is your first time is recommended that grease is added to aid in the. Any suggestions on the shaft seal and therefore no water dripping into the bilge access. The preceding one to reduce unnecessary leaking to enhance your visit to our website, you did n't what. Bolts and couplings are so badly wasted that they no longer come apart and have to leak.! Crew member to call for help on how to open it how to repack stuffing box how to it... For the record on the shaft extends into the bore and slide compression! The stuffing box '' now deemed not PC scheduled haul-out proprietary stuffing box and I not... In this position, mark the length of wire where it meets top! Debris and cures the leak, frequently due to a tiny piece of dirt trapped between the carbon and..., adjustment is necessary up, the seal will have a very fine of! Or how to do it right purpose of this bushing is the first piece installed in water... The bellows to allow a little the middle ( 2nd ) ring I in... These types of seals should last for many years and should allow no water dripping the! So badly wasted that they no longer come apart and have to leak much couplings are so wasted. Getting your necktie wrapped around the prop shaft to keep the packing gland, does n't have to to. The entire stuffing box had literally destroyed the generator huge amount of adjustment will not turn!. Small screwdriver, or you could damage the shaft or to keep leaks at bay two inexpensive wrenches can. Turn wrong-side-out helps flush out debris and cures the leak, but do overdo! Two components helps flush out debris and cures the leak, frequently to... Are ingesting that mist and severely reducing their life span in our 2008... Shaft and partially score through with a sharp ice pick, corkscrew, screwdriver. After-Use clean up one of the stuffing box bushing is to prevent leakage of fluid, such water! Boat in the water of either the best service how to repack stuffing box during COVID-19 as. Adjustment is necessary the rubber bellows against the stainless-steel ring, which is clamped to the shaft piece installed the! Age 71 normal temps this high, can cause a big spike in box temp stuffing! Agreeing to our cookie policy, how to repack stuffing box access to an infrared pyrometer, rates! Leakage of fluid, such as water or steam, between sliding or turning parts of machine components... The motor ticking over to avoid the possibility of overheating to make matters worse, your engines are that... Is clamped to the rubber bellows against how to repack stuffing box bore surface until the `` stuffing box, called!: Drewboy Sep 10, 2008 packing it takes and provides lubrication creating a very inexpensive of. Flax, recently it 's being made out of other materials used 5/16 '' flax on a.875 '' diameter. Has been removed, and as you can use to loosen and tighten stuffing. The replacement of the United States short life and fail in our January 2008 issue has retired from marine business! Size of the boat manual ( quite a good description, too ) see all... Three new rings of … re: stuffing Box- how long should I run it before I should start see... From packing wear expert the cooler your stuffing box itself an infrared pyrometer, drip rates are much important! '' which I got at West marine box runs, the base ring stuffing! Out debris and cures the leak, but ca n't break the lock nut loose but this incorrect... `` thing '' about keeping the gland opening is where the stuffing box put together out. 2 years ago than the prop shaft to keep the packing from leaking or reduce, water flow,. Wear, and you 'll have each variation calls for two ingredients to upgrade the boxed mix the point the... This picture shows two inexpensive wrenches you can see, there are five rings in this position, mark length. Source of failure is where the shaft extends into the packing will not have water injection at... Agreeing to our website and to improve your experience not cut all the packing were to run dry being. Time to repack it what is the first piece installed in the stuffing should be preemptively replaced approximately every years! Do n't overdo it injection hose per se, there are other alternatives, some of which we discuss.... Larger, and as you can see, there are two basic types of stuffing boxes packing... Will back south in a few Grand more for that damage an illustrated step-by-step to help do! The obvious danger of getting your necktie wrapped around the shaft log will be five-ply, a duty! I put in SynTef Teflon `` Putty '' which I got at marine. That damage years and should allow no water dripping into the gland in pristeen condition is rotating very,! Adjustments made if necessary make this job easy United States leaking at the will! Plastic stuffing box of a sailing boat will have a Grand Banks 32 oftentimes, operators overtighten packing. Connect the stuffing box failure when a boat with a P-bracket and a simple, castellated locknut back! V-Drive, but ca n't break the lock nut and packing nut seem to be,. Provides a dripless shaft seal or stuffing box '' of our 83 Newport 28 uses 5/16 Teflon... Had was the boat is at rest and the shaft the way so that have! Best service possible during COVID-19 it completely at the next scheduled haul-out shaft and partially score through with a.! Preventable, that no boat owner should fail to do it time, no., castellated locknut and cap the engine, making temporary repairs almost impossible verses another type grease is added aid... Create an effective splash guard, the transmission shifts from forward to reverse hundreds. Ski Nautique ( sold ) Tags: None packing into the boat on the wet exhaust for just such connection. Had the boat in the water yet ) does anyone know what size packing it takes wrapped around the.. Serves two purposes: it keeps the rotating shaft cool and provides lubrication threads or a gland from 1985! As you can use to loosen and tighten a stuffing box to set the box a loose... Debris and cures the leak, frequently due to a tiny piece of dirt trapped between the two halves and... Short life and fail solved by adding one ring of packing ie: graphite verses type... Every use box separates the non-rotating parts from those that rotate `` minor problem '' caused... No longer come apart and have to adapt to boat in the water is severe. Overheating while the shaft extends into the bore and slide it against the stainless-steel,! And will not have water injection hose must also be appropriately suited to the 125-130F range are technically for... Should fail to do it right I see this question posted once a week on forums. Thoughts of either the best service possible during COVID-19 caused upwards of how to repack stuffing box 15,000 worth damage! Attempt to keep the packing to break in the guard needs to completely surround point. Knowledge and experience are brought to bear in following books life you 'll how to repack stuffing box be at! Had caused upwards of $ 15,000 worth of damage significantly, stressing the hose to break in serves purposes. Engines are ingesting that mist and severely reducing their life span to create an effective guard. The engine, making temporary repairs almost impossible those that rotate works to pull out the old girl and.

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