Shaft packing for prop shaft gland

[shelbygt]

Have prop shaft out, gland apart. I have a new 1" shaft. What size flax packing do I need? It's compressed and I don't see any marking anywhere. I bought 2' sections of 1/4" and 3/16", hope one of them are right!

Also, I had two pieces of packing in there, was reading somewhere there should be four. I have room for 3 with the 1/4" and 2 threads showing on the end. Should I go with two?

[Maestro]

Here's a website with good instructions for re-doing a packing gland:

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/stuffing_box&page=1

I'ts 3 pages long. Page 1 shows how to remove old stuff, page 2 and 3 show you how to put the new stuff in.

[Maestro]

Here's another good article:

http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/stuffing-box.asp

He says if the old packing is too wrecked to determine the size, try to measure the distance between the propshaft and the inside surface of the packing nut.

[jralbert]

I had two pieces of packing in there, was reading somewhere there should be four. I have room for 3 with the 1/4" and 2 threads showing on the end. Should I go with two?BigM

I have consistently read three pieces is correct (and that's what was used when I replaced my packing). By spacing the three splices around the shaft, you get a complete seal.

[shelbygt]

Thank you Bret and Joel. After reading the material I'm going with 3/16" which allows me to fit three staggered pieces nicely. When I bought the packing flax I ordered two of the packing wrenches too. I'll keep those on the boat so I won't have any excuses not to check and adjust periodically. Read somewhere it should be replaced every couple of seasons. Those duties will be relegated to shore. Couldn't imagine the anxiety of doing that in the water with water rushing in. Maybe if a guy did it every day. I don't want to get that good at it.

With any luck I'll have the old girl in the water tomorrow.

You will be sorely missed at Rock Creek, Bret. I'll be a lost soul without your comapny.

[Fastjeff]

Note that--since it's not a prop shaft seal--you can tighten down on that rudder packing until it stops leaking--and that can be plenty tight!

Jeff

[barkleydave]

GFO IS BEST 7 seasons still perfect on prop shafts

[shelbygt]

GFO IS BEST 7 seasons still perfect on prop shafts

Is that a type of prop shaft packing?

[DougDoty]

Yes !!

[Fastjeff]

Hell yes!

Jeff