[C320-list] Stuffing Box GFO size

[Chris Burti]

I have a few additional suggestions.

1. Plumbers' adjustable strainer wrenches are very cheap and two work well
for this job. They are made out of aluminum and live well aboard. If you use
mechanics wrenches, remember to store them far away from your autopilot's
fluxgate sensor.
*http://tinyurl.com/mewvw6*
2. Forget buying the extractor. A cordless drill, a long sheet-rock screw
and a pair of vice grips work like a charm. Drive the screw into the packing
and then pull it out with the vise grips.

3. Pre-cut the new packing with a sharp razor knife before removing the old
packing. This will minimize the time the water is seeping your bilge in when
you do the job in the slip. You can also wrap a rag around the stuffing box
to slow the stream if it makes you feel better.

4. When cutting the rings, overlap one ring and cut through both sides in
one slice at an angle of 45 degrees to the shaft. this will leave you
perfectly matched overlapping tapered ends that will make a flat mating
joint.

5. Alternate your joints approximately 120 degrees apart for maximum
sealing.

6. Adjust the packing nut somewhat loosely at first and then run the engine
in gear. After the packing has been run in a bit, adjust the nut until the
drips are two minutes apart with the engine off. Run it in again in gear for
about 15 minutes, stop and adjust the packing nut until the drip justs stops
when stopped and there is only one drop every four to five minutes when
running. This amount of water drip will evaporate before it reaches the
bilge and will alow adequate cooling for the packing. Check again after an
hour of running and periodically thereafter.


On Mon, Jul 13, 2009 at 9:00 PM, Peter & Barbara Sheerin <
sheerinp at bigpond.net.au> wrote:

> Bruce I forgot to ask, did you slip boat to do rings? and where did you buy
> extracting tool? The lock nut and main nut look pretty secure. Did you have
> any trouble with this. Do you think its wise to replace the shaft log
> reinforced hose at the same time. Thanks for your comments. Peter Sheerin #
> 1096
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bruce Stanley" <
> brucestanley36 at gmail.com>
> To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
> Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2009 5:51 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Stuffing Box GFO size
>
>
> hi Peter
>> All rings were replaced.
>> Extractg the old rings requires a special tool. The extracting tool I
>> bought
>> was poor in quality.
>> Follow the instructs on the package and you will not go wrong.
>>
>> cheers
>> Bruce Stanley
>> Sydney Australia
>> ==========================
>> On Thu, Jul 9, 2009 at 12:00 PM, Peter & Barbara Sheerin <
>> sheerinp at bigpond.net.au> wrote:
>>
>> Hello Bruce, Bruce did you replace all rings in stuffing box or just add
>>> another 1/4" one. Is the process of fitting a new ring fairly straight
>>> forward. Thanks for the info. Peter Sheerin Jaraman 1096
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bruce Stanley" <
>>> brucestanley36 at gmail.com>
>>> To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
>>> Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 8:15 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Stuffing Box GFO size
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>  thanks Chris
>>>
>>>> I will go for the 1/4"
>>>>
>>>> cheers
>>>> from
>>>> Sydney
>>>> Bruce Stanley #1084
>>>> ============================
>>>> On Mon, Dec 1, 2008 at 1:01 AM, Chris Burti <clburti at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>  Both will work on the older boats and both have been recommended in
>>>>
>>>>> various
>>>>> versions of the manual. It has been asserted that Catalina used
>>>>> different
>>>>> stuffing boxes at various times, but interestingly enough, when you do
>>>>> the
>>>>> math on mine, it calls for 7/32" which is not a manufactured size. I
>>>>> suspect
>>>>> that for various reasons they decided the optimum size is the larger or
>>>>> smaller at different points in the run.
>>>>>
>>>>> It is easy to put in three rings of 3/16", but it compresses on down.
>>>>> To
>>>>> put
>>>>> in three of 1/4"most find it easier to put in two rings, compress the
>>>>> packning and then put in the third. Some only put in two.
>>>>>
>>>>> It all seems to work. I have three rings of 1/4", a bone dry bilge and
>>>>> a
>>>>> cool stuffing box.
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sat, Nov 29, 2008 at 4:17 PM, Bruce Stanley <
>>>>> brucestanley36 at gmail.com
>>>>> >wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> > Help
>>>>> > I know the size has been on the List ... but .. I seem to have lost >
>>>>> it
>>>>> :o(
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Manual says 1/4 inch,
>>>>> > however,
>>>>> > was 3/16th ever recommended????????
>>>>> >
>>>>> > thanks
>>>>> > Bruce Stanley
>>>>> > Sydney Australia C320 #1084
>>>>> >
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Chris Burti Farmville, NC
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>>
>


-- 
Chris Burti Farmville, NC