1996 330 - Re-Pack Rudder Stuffing Box

rumrunner

rumrunner

Active Member
Mar 27, 2007
417
Lake St.Clair, Michigan
Boat Info
1996 33 Searay Sundancer
Engines
Mercruiser 7.4 MPI
Hello to the 330 owners, I was going to post this in the 330 Thread but thought it would get more views here…

I need to re-pack my rudder stuffing box. Any 330 owners successfully accomplish this task? If so how did you go about doing it. I had just replaced the impellors on both engines (PIA) and while doing so I was looking at the Rudders thinking there is no way I can get in there to unscrew, remove the old pack, install the new pack and put back together. Based on a best guess it looks like I have about 3 to 4 inches between the packing nut and the support. I really don’t know how to get in there to repack… I did do a quick search on CSR with not much luck and / or details specific to a 330.

I was thinking maybe removing some of the exhaust out to give me some more room to maneuver or, when I pull her out remove / lower the rudders to get the packing nut out of the boat and unpack and repack on the bench? It still would not be an easy task. Any Ideas? With all the 330’s out there someone has had to have done this.

Or maybe called there mechanic?
Boat Fall 2008 035.jpg
 
Do you really need to do a full repack? What about just a quarter turn to stop any leaks? Less time standing on your head.
 
I have been "adjusting" it for the last few years... I am out of adjustment. It looks like that with a puddle of water on top of the packing nut with a bit of water running into the bilge just right of the rudder, left side of picture shown (pics is a few years old).
 
rumrunner said:
I have been "adjusting" it for the last few years... I am out of adjustment. It looks like that with a puddle of water on top of the packing nut with a bit of water running into the bilge just right of the rudder, left side of picture shown (pics is a few years old).
Click to expand...
Then it looks like you have a bit of a project. I’d back the nut off, pull out the old, and put in the new. Get yourself the corkscrew tool and some wd40 to make removing the old easier. Good luck.
 
My rudder also has a very slow leak.
Do you loosen top nut first then tighten bottom nut?
Thanks
Mike
 
ManteoMike said:
My rudder also has a very slow leak.
Do you loosen top nut first then tighten bottom nut?
Thanks
Mike
Click to expand...
Wire brush the threads below the lower jamb nut and thread that nut down first (I also wipe the threads down with CorrosionX). Then unthread the packing nut if changing the packing or tighten it down if compressing the existing packing.
 
ttmot...followed your directions and slow weep has stopped. Thanks Mike
 
I wanted to close the loop on this subject…

Repacking the rudders was not as bad as I thought…. I started on the port side laying on top of the motor (I have EFI’s so flat surface)… this did not work so well, you better have a strong core to work in that position. I discovered that you need to position yourself between the holding tank and the exhaust and manifold you could actually get two hands in the rudder area and work.

Break loose the lower jam nut then back off the pack nut (for lack of a better term)…. I held the pack nut in place to the rudder cross bar with a tie strap. This allowed me access to pick out the old pack ( I used a dentist pic and some other misc. picks I had in my tool box). I pulled out 4 strips. The pack measures ¼ inch square…. I cut the new pieces to length then test fit on the top of the rudder shaft to make sure there was adequate contact in the area of the cut (I tried to do a cut at 45 degree… tried, the stuff was tuff to cut). Then stuffed into the pack nut. I then tightened the pack nut snug, pushing the pack up in to the nut. Then backed off, repacked and tightened… repeated the process 4 times. Snugged the pack nut up and then moved over to starboard. Same, positioned myself between the motor and the genny and had adequate access. On this side the boat gods shined upon me! When I backed out the pack nut all the packing stayed in position… no need to pick out of the pack nut… this is the side that was leaking! Cut the new pieces to length and repacked. I used a PTFE Flax Pack from West Marine. Splashed yesterday May 12th and no leaks. I will check again in the next few days and if all is good I will tighten up the jam nut to the pack nut and call it done! I used an adjustable combination wrench to loosen and tighten the nuts… the nut diameter was 2 13/16, the combination wrench adjusted to 3 inches. (I had to tool shop at work cut me a wrench to size but cut to the “wrong” size… Had to get this done before I splashed so I used the combo wrench, Kind of a PIA, you had to adjust a few times and tighten with the wing nut, you will see what I mean if you look this combo wrench up on the internet. I now have the wrench to size now for any future adjustments, thanks tool room!)

Thought I would share…
 
I bought a couple of these at HD or Lowes years ago for things like the packing nuts. They work great and you can always add a pipe for more leverage and they fit all kinds of large hex shapes without marring them up. Not very expensive either... I think ~$30 ea.

rigid_hex_offset_wrench.jpg
 
rumrunner said:
I wanted to close the loop on this subject…

Repacking the rudders was not as bad as I thought…. I started on the port side laying on top of the motor (I have EFI’s so flat surface)… this did not work so well, you better have a strong core to work in that position. I discovered that you need to position yourself between the holding tank and the exhaust and manifold you could actually get two hands in the rudder area and work.

Break loose the lower jam nut then back off the pack nut (for lack of a better term)…. I held the pack nut in place to the rudder cross bar with a tie strap. This allowed me access to pick out the old pack ( I used a dentist pic and some other misc. picks I had in my tool box). I pulled out 4 strips. The pack measures ¼ inch square…. I cut the new pieces to length then test fit on the top of the rudder shaft to make sure there was adequate contact in the area of the cut (I tried to do a cut at 45 degree… tried, the stuff was tuff to cut). Then stuffed into the pack nut. I then tightened the pack nut snug, pushing the pack up in to the nut. Then backed off, repacked and tightened… repeated the process 4 times. Snugged the pack nut up and then moved over to starboard. Same, positioned myself between the motor and the genny and had adequate access. On this side the boat gods shined upon me! When I backed out the pack nut all the packing stayed in position… no need to pick out of the pack nut… this is the side that was leaking! Cut the new pieces to length and repacked. I used a PTFE Flax Pack from West Marine. Splashed yesterday May 12th and no leaks. I will check again in the next few days and if all is good I will tighten up the jam nut to the pack nut and call it done! I used an adjustable combination wrench to loosen and tighten the nuts… the nut diameter was 2 13/16, the combination wrench adjusted to 3 inches. (I had to tool shop at work cut me a wrench to size but cut to the “wrong” size… Had to get this done before I splashed so I used the combo wrench, Kind of a PIA, you had to adjust a few times and tighten with the wing nut, you will see what I mean if you look this combo wrench up on the internet. I now have the wrench to size now for any future adjustments, thanks tool room!)

Thought I would share…
Click to expand...
What packing size?
 
It has been a while... I don't remember. I believe it was 1/4 inch. I had bought 3/16 and at first, and had to go back when I was not getting enough compression. Boat is all wrapped up, let me see if I have anything laying around I can measure...
 
rumrunner said:
It has been a while... I don't remember. I believe it was 1/4 inch. I had bought 3/16 and at first, and had to go back when I was not getting enough compression. Boat is all wrapped up, let me see if I have anything laying around I can measure...
Click to expand...
Thanks!
 
I took a look around... I cant find any samples. Best bet is to remove and measure. I am almost positive it was 1/4 inch. Might be worth while to buy both? Both sizes are approx. $15 at west marine (2 ft. length)
Pack 2.jpg
 
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