[C320-list] Don't know about the gortex stuff but a straightened fish hook (not barbless) can grab and pull out the old flax stuff pretty effectively. Just jab it in and pull. Jim Brown

[warren updike]

I wrap the GFO packing around the shaft so it overlaps then slice through
the overlapped section with a new razor blade. Hold the blade at an angle to
the length of the shaft so the cut is not parallel to the shaft: better
seal. The packing is soft and deforms easily.


Warren & Pattie Updke
Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
Middle River, Chesapeake Bay




-----Original Message-----
Thanks. BTW, when you cut the GFO packing did you heat the knife so the ends
would not fray?
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

-----Original Message-----
From: "Bryan Campbell" <bcampbell at valp.net>

Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2008 10:00:58 
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Packing Gland


The towel was inside. Loosen and slide the stuffing nut up the drive shaft
toward the transmission. A manageable amount of water will immediately spray
from the around the shaft and the male part of the stuffing box. Wrap the
towel around the shaft and male part of the stuffing box to secure the leak.
Then wrap a couple of strand of tape around the towel to hold it in place.
Once this is secure you can begin to remove the old packing and replace with
the new stuff. I pre-cut my new GFO so it would be ready to go. I could only
get two strands in initially. Once they were in I tightened the nut to force
them deeper in. Then  I backed the nut off and added the third strand.
Removing the old stuffing was the most difficult part of the job. I used
some deck screws the help break up the stuffing and pulled it out with
needle nose pliers. Have fun.