[C320-list] ? Add packing in the water?

[Bill Culbertson]

If you can fit 1/4" into your stuffing box then that is likely the correct size for your stuffing box.  There is a lot of circumstantial evidence on this list that even though the manual talks about 3 rings of 3/16" it isn't correct for many folks.  I know it wasn't correct for me.  But 'n' years back I believed it and did put in 3 rings of 3/16".  When I removed it to replace with GFO a few years ago, the cross section of the rings I was removing was now rectangular rather than square.  The long dimension was 1/4" and the short dimension was quite a bit less than 3/16".  

 -bill


----- Original Message ----
From: "jsever1 at cox.net" <jsever1 at cox.net>
To: C320-List <c320-list at catalina320.com>
Cc: Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com>
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2007 2:29:42 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] ? Add packing in the water?


Warren--

What size GFO packing did you use and how many rings? I used 1/4 and 2 rings. My understanding is that you can also use 3/16 with 3 rings. Is that true?

Joe Sever
Nanjo 168
Norfolk

---- Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com> wrote: 
> >From previous message -- "Adding" packing is highly discouraged, it is simply a bad practice. --
>     I took a diesel maintenance class from a respected local mechanic.  He said that he never removed the old packing as it is compressed in use and gradually wears away.  I don't say I agree with this, just that he said it.
>     When I switched to GFO packing, it was very difficult to remove the old packing, and difficult to know that I got it all out.  I made a bent hook tool to pick out the pieces; but, to really get it started I had to screw a long 3" deck screw (they have really large pitch threads) into the packing and pull with pliers.  This started the process and the hook was then able to catch and remove the material.  I keep the hook and screw with spare packing in a zip-lock bag.  Several people at our marina have since borrowed it to replace their packing.
>     Having said this and having tightened the packing nut several times last season, I'm going to attempt to add another ring of GFO, to the existing packing.  Now that last years new packing has had time to "work in" another ring is called for.
> 
> Warren & Pattie Updike
> C320, #62, 1994, "Warr De Mar"
> Frog Mortar Creek, Middle River
> Chesapeake Bay


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Have a burning question?  
Go to www.Answers.yahoo.com and get answers from real people who know.