After 9 years of cruising on SF Bay and the California Coast I decided to rebuild my Stuffing Box since it had become so corroded that I was unable to adjust
the packing nut. Also it had begun leaking more H2O than i cared see in the bilge while underway
So, while I am replacing my fixed prop with a feathering 3 bladed Autostream model it seems like a proper thing to do while MiVida is 'on the hard'.
This project took much more time than I projected as I had to construct the flange puller device myself. Could not find any 'ready made puller' to fit the shaft and flange in those close quarters. It was constructed from 4 long ss bolts (see pics) with appropriate connecting nuts to the transmission flange and a vicegrip to keep all from 'twisting' as I tightened the compression nuts. Took about 6 hours to turn each nut 1/3-3/4 turn between rotations of the shaft to the next nut...(max I could turn and not tork the flange). Also a few brused ribs laying over the hatch to the motor room and mild cuts to the fingers....but all in all a challenge and fun for me.
I very carefully replaced the old 'flax packing' with a new GTU 'grafite ultra - shaft packing'....three rings each rotated 120 degrees on the other to prevent leaking. This packing is made of the following components ptfe, graphite and gortex cloth. Specs say it is thermal conductive, low friction level, cooler running. Verbal reports from another user state it to be almost 'dripless'.
All of the bronze components were cleaned and dressed with 'lanacote' (except for the faces of the compression nut and locking nut. A new rubber shaft tube replacement was installed and all new ss c-clamps used to hold the unit in place. (I have not finished the job yet as I must 'wire in place' the two prop shaft flange screws which keep the flange on the shaft when in reverese!)
Attached are thumbnail pics of the whole sequence. I hope all will be fairly self explanatory. BTW I used a small diameter spark-plug wrench held in place for start with putty to hold the prop shaft and transmission drive apart so as to be able to 'pull' the prop shaft flange off.
I will report again when 'off the hard' and back 'in the water'!
Your comments and experiences with Stuffing Box issues welcomed.
Questions?
Tom Charron
tomcharron@alamedanet.net
Click the thumbnails for a full sized photo!
So, while I am replacing my fixed prop with a feathering 3 bladed Autostream model it seems like a proper thing to do while MiVida is 'on the hard'.
This project took much more time than I projected as I had to construct the flange puller device myself. Could not find any 'ready made puller' to fit the shaft and flange in those close quarters. It was constructed from 4 long ss bolts (see pics) with appropriate connecting nuts to the transmission flange and a vicegrip to keep all from 'twisting' as I tightened the compression nuts. Took about 6 hours to turn each nut 1/3-3/4 turn between rotations of the shaft to the next nut...(max I could turn and not tork the flange). Also a few brused ribs laying over the hatch to the motor room and mild cuts to the fingers....but all in all a challenge and fun for me.
I very carefully replaced the old 'flax packing' with a new GTU 'grafite ultra - shaft packing'....three rings each rotated 120 degrees on the other to prevent leaking. This packing is made of the following components ptfe, graphite and gortex cloth. Specs say it is thermal conductive, low friction level, cooler running. Verbal reports from another user state it to be almost 'dripless'.
All of the bronze components were cleaned and dressed with 'lanacote' (except for the faces of the compression nut and locking nut. A new rubber shaft tube replacement was installed and all new ss c-clamps used to hold the unit in place. (I have not finished the job yet as I must 'wire in place' the two prop shaft flange screws which keep the flange on the shaft when in reverese!)
Attached are thumbnail pics of the whole sequence. I hope all will be fairly self explanatory. BTW I used a small diameter spark-plug wrench held in place for start with putty to hold the prop shaft and transmission drive apart so as to be able to 'pull' the prop shaft flange off.
I will report again when 'off the hard' and back 'in the water'!
Your comments and experiences with Stuffing Box issues welcomed.
Questions?
Tom Charron
tomcharron@alamedanet.net
Click the thumbnails for a full sized photo!
