Stuffing Box Dilemma

[Captain Safety]

Greetings,
I just opened my stuffing box to find all of the packing gone. Measured the dimensions and found that I need 1/4" packing to fit snugly between the shaft and the interior dimension of the stuffing box.

The problem is that all of the resources I've read indicate that I need to pack between 2-4 pieces of overlapping packing, but my stuffing box is only 1/2" deep, so 2 pieces won't allow the threads to be exposed for re-assembly.

Am I at risk with only one piece? I measured well so there's virtually no gap in the seam, and used the Teflon packing.

Any insight will be most appreciated. I'm launching in a week and don't want to have to re-do this in the water! Thank you!

[Jason Flare]

I think the packing is still in there. A.) It does't go away or disappear over time, and B.) It's taking up all but 1/2" of the space you have.

Try a packing removal tool. It looks like a corkscrew and screws into the old packing to grab it so it can be pulled out.

I'll bet it's in there, just packed tightly.

[Sailmonkey]

It sounds like there is still packing in There, and even if you do need to do this on the water it's no biggie. For some reason there is an unnatural fear associated with repacking in the water. It is entirely unfounded.


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[Stu Jackson]

Those corkscrew things SIMPLY DO NOT WORK. They are too bloody BIG to fit in a 1/4" or 3/16" space. Geez, measure them before ya buy one.

Get a long thin drywall screw for all of $0.05 from a hardware store and get the old stuff out.

Good luck.

Stuffing box packing - C34

[Jason mack]

I have a packing gland that is bottomed out and leaking.
Just a little hesitant to try in the water. Any tips or tricks?

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[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Jason mack

I have a packing gland that is bottomed out and leaking.
Just a little hesitant to try in the water. Any tips or tricks?

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Yup, read the link in #4.

[darylat8750]

No worries about doing in the water. Have the new pieces cut before removing the old. See post 4. Dry wall or deck screw. Screw in then pull out with pliers or vice grips. Lightly tamp each ring in before starting the next one. Off set the seams. Do not over tighten. Take the time to break in and the new stuff will last longer. I've become a fan of this packing. Seems to last longer than any other I've tried. With 2" shafts I can get the drip down to the point that it evaporates before it gets to the bilge and they still stay below 100F. Last time I got just under 1000 hours of run time before changing it. Duramax Shaft Sealing Systems: Ultra-X High-Performance Packing No connection other than being a happy customer.

[Captain Safety]

Thanks for all of your prompt, thoughtful responses. This has always been a 'black hole' to me, so I'm eager to get this right!

[gonesail]

a trick i found was to straighten out a big barbed fish hook .. use this to poke into the stuffing box and remove the old packing material. worked for me.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Those corkscrew things SIMPLY DO NOT WORK. They are too bloody BIG to fit in a 1/4" or 3/16" space. Geez, measure them before ya buy one.

Get a long thin drywall screw for all of $0.05 from a hardware store and get the old stuff out.

Good luck.

Stuffing box packing - C34

Get a couple of Dental picks off of Ebay, you'll find all sorts of uses for them, they are great for drawing blood if you leave them in your tool box loose

[Tayana42]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Get a couple of Dental picks off of Ebay, you'll find all sorts of uses for them, they are great for drawing blood if you leave them in your tool box loose

Your dentist may give you old ones. A cork on the pointy end is a good idea.


S/V B'Shert