Stemar
Well-Known Member
Jissel's out of the water and I've got the old stuffing gland off. The shaft looks more or less OK, but it's not easy to see - except where things have been rubbing, there's a varnish-like deposit on it, so the first question is how to clean it in situ. Is cream cleaner likely to be any good, or will I need something a bit stronger? The important thing is to avoid scratching the shaft as I'd like to use a lip seal. Getting the shaft out to clean and check it looks to be an engine out job as, even with the Cutless bearing removed from the outboard end, the shaft still fouls the skeg, so that ain't going to happen!
Next is the choice of seal. I'd like to use the Orbitrade or Radice, but the 25mm shaft of both comes in 39 and 42mm tube sizes, My tube is about 35mm, possibly 1 3/8", as the boat's 50 years old. Would building up a 2mm thickness of self-amalgamating tape work?
The simpler, but more expensive option would be to use a Deep Sea seal, but it's around three times the price, and there's a lot of other things to spend my money on! It does have the advantage that it's a face seal, so wear or minor scratches on the shaft would be less of an issue. OTOH, I've heard some bad things about them, so am a little dubious.
Any useful information, suggestions, etc gratefully received
Next is the choice of seal. I'd like to use the Orbitrade or Radice, but the 25mm shaft of both comes in 39 and 42mm tube sizes, My tube is about 35mm, possibly 1 3/8", as the boat's 50 years old. Would building up a 2mm thickness of self-amalgamating tape work?
The simpler, but more expensive option would be to use a Deep Sea seal, but it's around three times the price, and there's a lot of other things to spend my money on! It does have the advantage that it's a face seal, so wear or minor scratches on the shaft would be less of an issue. OTOH, I've heard some bad things about them, so am a little dubious.
Any useful information, suggestions, etc gratefully received