Repacking stuffing box???..help!!!

Miss Maddy G

Miss Maddy G

Member
May 24, 2009
119
Milford, CT
Boat Info
340 Express Cruiser 1988
Engines
Twin 454
I am sure there is a thread somewhere about repacking a stuffing box, but I could not find it. ....So I have tightened the nut as far as I am comfortable with before I score the shaft and she is still dripping. Can I repack while the boat is still in the water? Can I do this my knowledgable friends or have a $$$$$mechanic do it? Point me in the right direction...thanks.
 
bkcloud114.....thanks.....that info was very useful.....looks like I will just bite the bullet and pull the boat and repack.....I can't imagine the scenario of rushing to do the job because water is gushing through.....scary. thanks again!
 
theres a couple of guys at your dock that can help you with that. You provide the beer and the packing, we'll take care of the rest ;)

FYI, a short haul at Boardwalk will only cost about $300.
 
Miss Maddy G said:
bkcloud114.....thanks.....that info was very useful.....looks like I will just bite the bullet and pull the boat and repack.....I can't imagine the scenario of rushing to do the job because water is gushing through.....scary. thanks again!
Click to expand...

You don't need to pull the boat to repack the stuffing boxes. :thumbsup: I have done this a number of times on previous boats without any problems. My current boat has dripless shafts.

~Ken
 
FYI, I have had inboard ski boats for years. The stuffing box is design to drip. That is if you dont have a dripless stuffing box. My manual sais about a drip every 3 seconds to keep the shaft cool... I actually let mine drip every one second or so... Have you verified you have a dripless stuffing box?
 
electricaldoctor said:
You don't need to pull the boat to repack the stuffing boxes. :thumbsup: I have done this a number of times on previous boats without any problems. My current boat has dripless shafts.

~Ken
Click to expand...
You can not Repack the boxes while the boat is in the water! You can add packing. I have done this recently. This is easy, since you have the straight drive instead of Vee drive. Take the 1/4 in packing and wrap it around the shaft until the ends cross(this allows you to size it so that it fits good on the shaft. Cut it to just fit around the shaft tightly and cut with a sharp razor blade. Depending on how far your nut is turned in it may need 2 rings. Remove the packing nut once you have it ready. I line the opening 180 deg from where it leaks the most. Push the packing in and use a blunt tool, I have used a 1/4 extension to shove it in as far as I can. Reinstall the nut and run the boat to let it set in, readjust as necessary. I was scared to tighten mine too tight, so I've had to do it 3 times(tighten that is) to get it to drip underway and stop a bit after I park.
 
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What Mark said above. Save yourself the price of a short haul and just add some rings to stop the leak. you can pull all the old stuff out when you come out for the winter. If you are going to add, don't use the Gore product since you'll be pulling it out while on land. Buy some of the old wax rope crap at a marine supply store and order the Gore material for the replacement job.

This season is the first time in over 4 seasons I've had some drippage from my Gore pack job back in the spring of 2005. One other note for us old boat owners. Check out the hose clamps that hold the hose in place at the shaft log. Some of these guys know the issues I've had with hose clamp failure and after inspecting my stuffing boxes today, I ordered 8 #48 hose clamps to replace the ones on there now. Cheap insurance.
 
Sorry, I forgot to tell you to cut the packing, I edited the previous post. I got some Gore packing and an extractor for this winter. I was wondering about the hose clamps and hose. You would think being as big a hole as it is that it would be held on with sealer as well as clamps.
By the way, a guy at the marina gave me a tip:
Put some packing already cut and sized in a small zipper plastic bag, then zip tie it near the shafts. That way if it really starts to leak bad, you can hop down in and you will have everything at your fingertips.
 
Mark
What's an extractor?
 
rondds said:
Mark
What's an extractor?
Click to expand...

I would never expect this to come from a licensed DDS! Your are licensed right??

Packing%20Extractor.jpg
 
Can't use this tool in the bilge...
mainImage.jpg
 
I did my starboard box last year in the water, yes some comes in but the pump keeps up no problem. If you get panicky about the water rushing in I suggest you have some one else do it. ? Good Luck
 
I bought some of this


GTU GORE PACKING 1/4IN
Western Pacific
A unique blend of W.L. GORE fibers and graphite fibers that are impregnated with PTFE.


I hope it's the same stuff, because I bought 2 packs. It says Gore fibers. I assumed that was the same stuff as the GFO?
 
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