[C320-list] stuffing box packing

[Bill Culbertson]

Bert,

Jeff describes my situation.  My manual says 3/16" just like yours.  But my stuffing box takes 1/4".  

The dealer had put 1/4" when I took delivery.  It leaked by season end so when I replaced, I replaced with 3/16" per the manual.  When I changed that out after the 2nd season, I could see that the rings had a rectangular cross-section - not square.  One dimension was about 1/4" - the other much skinnier than the original 3/16".

So I used the drill bit technique, found that 1/4" drill bit fit fine and snugly, and switched back to 1/4".

 -bill

----- Original Message ----
From: Jeffrey Hare <catalina at thehares.com>
To: C320-List <c320-list at catalina320.com>
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2006 6:55:33 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] stuffing box packing


Bert,

   I believe most people have reported that 1/4" is what actually fits on
our boats, even though the manual says 3/16".  If you've actually used 3/16"
and had it work, then you're boat is seems to be an exception to the norm.
:)

Many folks have switched over to GFO packing material for dripless
operation.

-Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: BAdams3491 at aol.com [mailto:BAdams3491 at aol.com] 
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2006 6:27 PM
To: c320-list at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] stuffing box packing

Don't know what people are saying, but the owner's manual for my 1997 model
says 3/16".

Bert
At Ease
#442