Baby Blake gland packing

dur

dur

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 May 2003
Messages
420
Location
Chichester
www.gaff-rig.co.uk
I thought I would replace the packing in our Baby Blake outlet pump to reduce the puddle.
The packing that came out is the same as that on the right in the photo - i.e. a standard looking shaft packing. I ordered some packing when I first thought about doing the job last spring and it arrived looking as in picture left. Very different stuff - slightly smaller in diameter than the other is square and while fairly hard it can be moulded between the fingers to a certain extent. I am wondering a) if it is the right stuff and if so, b) how is it applied. I get the impression that if there were a couple of turns around the shaft it would mould together when the gland nut is run down onto it.
Any thoughts?

packing.jpg
 
Looks like a PTFE derivative. Will run without grease.

Suck it and see-sorry try it and se how you get on.

My fave mod on the outlet pump is to slip an O ring between one of the turns near the top.
Keeps it nice and dry, and allows for the usual wear in the shaft around the mid section.

Have to say, looks like nothing wrong with the old stuff that a bit of grease and a nip up would cure.

Does your loo have greasers??
 
Last edited:
Seanick said:
Looks like a PTFE derivative. Will run without grease.

Suck it and see-sorry try it and se how you get on.

My fave mod on the outlet pump is to slip an O ring between one of the turns near the top.
Keeps it nice and dry, and allows for the usual wear in the shaft around the mid section.

Have to say, looks like nothing wrong with the old stuff that a bit of grease and a nip up would cure.

Does your loo have greasers??
Click to expand...

I am not sure where you mean for the O-ring. Won't it just slide down until it meets the buffer washer which is on top of the cage?

The old bit in the pic is actually a new bit which I found in a bag after ordering the other. The bit that came out didn't look too bad but I had run out of turns on the nut.

We have a greaser on the inlet but not on the outlet.
 
The big problem is shaft scoring give them a close check over the older ones are chrome plated and the chrome brakes away and the gland packing will be wrecked in no time on the sharp edges if this is the case try to get a replacement Stainless Steel shaft made up from a local engineering workshop other than that, Blake's do a mod for the Baby Blake pump glads also replacement shafts in stainless for the pumps, also they still do the leather piston's / valves for the pump and all the parts you will ever need to restore your BB to it's original condition.
They charge a bit for the mod's but well worth the expense if you get another 30+ years out of your BB.
Check the play in the cap nuts (The Throat the bit at the bottom of the bland packing housing Stuffing box area )
no good for a water tight seal if it is a sloppy fit around the pump shaft.
You could get an insert fitted in it by a good engineering workshop with a lathe no probs.
A lathe "Myford ML7 type" is something all old wooden boat owners should have anyway it will save you a fortune over the years.:)
The packings you have shown look like water graphite and a PTFE derivative as Nick says, (if it is a none PTFE then it could be a "Walkers" White Water packing and it would benefit from a smidgen of Water grease all a bit old hat for these days but still very adequate and in my mind some times better than the new stuff.)
When you make up the packings cut them around a similar piece of rod the same diameter as the pump rods and cut the buts at an angle you will need a very sharp Stanly knife (New Blade) is best, the more carefully you do the job the better it will be.
A very good tip is again Nick's suggestion of an O ring placed in between the top couple of the turns of packing. ( as The Lantern Ring )
Happy Cr**ing.:D

Some good help and advice here with diagrams.:-http://www.klinger.com.au/packinginstallation.asp
 
Last edited:
Just did the logical thing and rang Blakes. Apparently it is ptfe and will expand once wet. It is fitted by spiraling around the shaft and then packing down. No lube is used (which goes against the grain!).

Pic below shows the shaft is polished on one side so there must be a little wear but doesn't look major. Whether I can get the cage off the shaft to try the O-ring idea (which I now understand - thanks), I am not sure. I will try the new packing and see what happens. If it still leaks then I will have to go for a new shaft.

The bottom pivot for the handle - the one in the picture - has some play in it which translates to quite a lot of slop in the handle in use, so I shall drill that out and find a larger bolt for it.

babyexhaustpump.jpg
.

I really like the idea of the lathe but there is already a band-saw, old planer/thicknesser, 4 kayaks, loads of tools and tons of the usual boaty junk in my (small) garage. As it is I think the planer will have to go. I dream (pathetic isn't it) about a large and warm workshop. Ho hum!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top