[C320-list] Stuffing Box GFO size

[Peter & Barbara Sheerin]

Thanks Chris, I'll give your suggestions a go. The only problem I have at 
the moment is the locking nut doesn't want to disengage itself from the main 
nut. I'm also getting a lot of flexing with the rubber hose which holds the 
gland  assembly in place. Did you replace the hose? Thanks Peter Sheerin 
Jaraman 1096
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Burti" <clburti at gmail.com>
To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 10:36 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Stuffing Box GFO size


>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