Leaking Around the Packing Box

[lowride14]

Hey just running off to work, but here goes. The screws on my packing box, nearly all the heads rusted right off and water was rushing in. so i drilled a few holes between the screws heads and put in some screws with washers. this slowed the leak down a lot but what can i do to stop this leak or slow it down as much as possible with out pulling it out of the water?

[zeehag]

stuff stern part of shaft tube with toilet seal wax and doit soon. then replace stuffing box. if you can get into a sling for that, good., if not--- eeps....can be done but work fast and keep the wax int he stern until done.

[lowride14]

what do you mean by wax in the stern part of box?

well i think the stuffing box it self is fine, its just that the heads of the screws that screw it down into a board in the bilge have rotted away. so i would like ideally to remove the old screws from the wood and then replace with a slightly larger screw, or lag bolt maybe. I wont be able to get it outta the water anytime soon money related.

[bangkaboat]

So the issue is the screws? are we talking wood screws, or bolts? First, soak with penetrant well & long. If you can get vice grips on the shafts, screw out slowly. If not & there's enough diameter, use an extractor with a t-handle. A picture is worth a thousand words, here.

Edit: Forgot to add; re-bed w/sikaflex or other sealant.

[lowride14]

yes the screws for sure, they are flat head copper wood screws i think. i dont really have any room without removing the stuffing box to vice grip or extract it, unless i might be able to drill a pilot hole then use a reverse drill bit. but when i try and drill it the bit wonders off the screw and into the wood.

I was thinking of loosening all the screws and putting a custom cork gasket in there, or some kind of sealant, but it has to be able to harden underwater, any suggestions?

[zeehag]

wax into where the tube comes out the boat. is underwater. then you dont have as much ingress of water while you change out the packing or stuffing box.
the wax removes self when prop turns. is beeswax. use gloves --sticks to ye. i had a diver do that to mine when i was running away from home sailing the gulf of mexico so i wouldnt sink while cruising opb.....

[zeehag]

mine , the wood supports and contains the screwed in bit of the shaft tube and packing gland. what is on other side of wood from packjing gland on your boat?

[familycruisers]

Originally Posted by lowride14

yes the screws for sure, they are flat head copper wood screws i think. i dont really have any room without removing the stuffing box to vice grip or extract it, unless i might be able to drill a pilot hole then use a reverse drill bit. but when i try and drill it the bit wonders off the screw and into the wood.

I was thinking of loosening all the screws and putting a custom cork gasket in there, or some kind of sealant, but it has to be able to harden underwater, any suggestions?

Harden? Are you planning using your motor again?