What are these fittings?

[opolily]

September 4, 2015 at 1:39am in Electric Sailing

They were attached to either side of the ?stuffingbox? on my old Volvo MD1 diesel via narrow copper tubing. The starboard side one originated at a tiny fitting below the water line which was totally clogged with corrosion and ?? when I unhooked it. The other was on port and led from a grease fitting way up behind engine control panel. I was told by original owner to give it a turn every once in a while and repack with grease when cap had been turned all the way down. Can't say I was very faithful to his advice.




What did they do? Should I reconnect them when I have my electric motor installed?

[mynameismud]

Looks to be a #6 JIC fitting commonly used for hydraulic fittings.

[Lepke]

They are used to lubricate the bearing with sea water where natural flow isn't enough. Usually some of the cooling salt water is returned thru the stern bearings. My mains are setup this way. Most of the returning salt water goes out the exhaust, a copper 3/8" line goes to each bearing, and the remainder goes out near the engines.
Sometimes you see a pickup forward of the bearing housing forcing water thru by forward movement.
The grease helps lubricate the seal. Water pressure forces the grease against the seal where it contacts the shaft, increasing lubrication without much (if any) water coming thru the seal and greatly reduces shaft wear. It needs to be waterproof grease.