Is my stuffing box stuffing stuffed?

[resilientg]

Got my shaft out today, nice and easy, everything looks good.

Which since it has been sitting there for 40 + years makes me smile.

Now im wondering about the stuffing box stuffing, its been hiding in its little spot for the same amount of time, its never been used mind you apart from just sitting there in the stuffing box, shaft nor motor has only ever been spun for about 2-3 minutes in the last 40 + years, and that was just recently.

Should i change the stuffing box stuffing? or should it still be fine?

Its not a cost consideration that i'm worried about its more so about unnecessary waste, plus i still have some of the old stuff hiding here somewhere too.

Any comments from the others on the other side of cyberspace.

Should i be stuffed and re-stuff or should in not give a stuff and leave stuff?

Matthew

[charliehows]

stern glands have undergone a bit of development in the last 40 years, if i had the boat out of the water and wasnt worried about a bit of expense i'd look at a modern replacement - a big hole below the waterline with a dirty big steel shaft through it spinning at 2000 rpm is one of the main things i worry about in my hull.

[sailvayu]

Yes repack, flax packing dries out over a period of time (less than 40 years for sure!) if everything is in good condition just repack it, you could go for a dripless seal but these are not perfect either.

[mbianka]

Originally Posted by sailvayu

Yes repack, flax packing dries out over a period of time (less than 40 years for sure!) if everything is in good condition just repack it, you could go for a dripless seal but these are not perfect either.

Agree with Wayne after 40 years that old packing does not owe you anything. A couple of bucks of packing is cheap insurance.

[donradcliffe]

Replace it with some of the modern teflon impregnated packing and some of the teflon grease which goes with it. It will then allow you to run without a drip.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by resilientg

............

Any comments from the others on the other side of cyberspace.

Should i be stuffed and re-stuff or should in not give a stuff and leave stuff?

Matthew

Be stuffed and re-stuff. Cost is stuff all, waste is stuff all, the new stuff will at least be as good as the old stuff (and prolly a whole lot better) and you won't have to give a stuff about it again for the next 40 years. And oh, it is stuff all work to do now.

[Pete the Cat]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

Replace it with some of the modern teflon impregnated packing and some of the teflon grease which goes with it. It will then allow you to run without a drip.

The new graphite packing is great. Been using it for years with extensive motoring with no drips and no shaft issues. Have no idea why folks are still buying the mechanical dripless units when these new materials make this simple. Must be effective marketing.

[sdowney717]

Use the GFO marine packing. Slipery silky black stuff, works very well.
Works to make old style stuffing boxes BETTER than any modern dripless system which has to be burped or water injected and still wears out and is expensive to repair.

GFO stopped my dripping shafts.

http://www.gfopacking.com/

[Pete the Cat]

Originally Posted by sdowney717

Use the GFO marine packing. Slipery silky black stuff, works very well.
Works to make old style stuffing boxes BETTER than any modern dripless system which has to be burped or water injected and still wears out and is expensive to repair.

GFO stopped my dripping shafts.

http://www.gfopacking.com/

Agreed. My experience exactly. Make sure that you get the real stuff. There is apparently a black imitation packing that is not as effective.