Repacking the stuffing box

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Mike k

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I think its time to change the whole of packing's. Can anyone suggest what size of packing extractor tool I should be getting ( it looks like there are 4 sizes to choose from . My prop shaft is 40mm.From memory I think the packing is 8 mm. Gland Packing Extractor C -type SIZE-3 (1/2" to 5/8: Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

Also would the panel recommend applying some grease into the housing and onto the graphite packings. My gland is cooled with sea water scooped and piped jnto the gland .
Never done this before so any tops gratefully received
thanks in advance
 
One word of of warning.
If the umpteen previous owners were bunch of lazy gits you may well find that over the years folks have just jammed yet another ring of packing into the gland.
This can result in a hard ring of rock solid material right at the back.
Might need to use a bit of force to dislodge the final lumps. I used a bit of sharpened stainless steel rod and a hammer and a few gentle taps.
You will hear a nice metallic sound of metal on metal when its all out.
Very much doubt you will be able to score your shaft unless you are real animal.
Doing it in the water can help to dislodge any small remaining particals.
Buy your packing on Ebay and get a metre for the same price as a measly few cms from a chandlery pre pack.
 
Hi, I have just repacked my stuffing box, first time on this boat in 6 years. It's an inch shaft and I was going to tackle it with the boat still afloat.
Glad I waited until lift out.
The old packing was very hard and difficult to get out. I started with a long wood screw which wouldn't really screw into the old stuff, in the end I used a long thin screwdriver and gradually levererd all out. It was as hard as nails and I'm guessing the previous owner had just added a new ring every time the adjustment was up.
Adding the new stuff is a piece of cake.
Good luck.
 
Remember put in separate rings of packing, not spirals. Else you will groove the shaft as it tightens up.
The size is the same size as the end of the follower that pushes it in, is thick.
Yes, grease it all.
You can use PTFE instead of graphited if you wish, less chance of bronze corrosion due to graphite being higher up the atomic scale.
 
I have used ptfe some years back and no problem since also no drips or very few. The shaft doesnt feel hot. I would go for the 10mm as if its slightly too big you can flatten it slightly. All explained elsewere on you tube
 
ghostlymoron said:
Some authorities say that PTFE causes overheating so I use graphite with no problems so far.
Click to expand...

Thought the idea of a greaser was to 1. reduce water seepage ... 2. to lubricate to reduce friction and therefore heat build up.

If a seal is getting hot - then somethings not right. Sorry to say this - but most often the 'operator' not the seal.
 
my tips

put plenty of grease down the stern tube first, it stops water coming in while all is disassembled

thin self tapping screw to remove

mobilephone camera to check you have all the packing out
 
Mike k said:
I think its time to change the whole of packing's. Can anyone suggest what size of packing extractor tool I should be getting ( it looks like there are 4 sizes to choose from . My prop shaft is 40mm.From memory I think the packing is 8 mm. Gland Packing Extractor C -type SIZE-3 (1/2" to 5/8: Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

Also would the panel recommend applying some grease into the housing and onto the graphite packings. My gland is cooled with sea water scooped and piped jnto the gland .
Never done this before so any tops gratefully received
thanks in advance
Click to expand...
If you want to buy a removal tool rather than improvise look at the ASAP webpage Gland Packing Material Removal Tool they tell you what size tool you require for each of three different sizes of packing

Id guess the smallest
 
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