[C320-list] Shaft Replacement

[Jeff Hare]

Hi Paul,

Judging by your hull number, you can replace your prop shaft without touching the engine or dropping the rudder. You will certainly have to remove the cutlass bearing to do this. 

So...

If you're a member, borrow the cutlass bearing puller through the 320 association loaner toolbox program.  That'll make short work of that job.  Also borrow the prop puller at the same time. 

Next, as Dick suggested,  buy a SS shaft. We bought ours online and it was nicely machined and fit perfectly. I'll dig up the co. name if you're interested.   The price was very reasonable. 

We had to turn the rudder abour 30 degrees to allow the shaft to slide past.  It was a tight squeeze and took a bit of muscle as it scraped past, but worked fine.  

There is a trick you can use with the cutlass tool for separating the shaft from the coupler AND driving out the cutlass bearing at the same time. Remove the wired set bolts and spray the coupler with corrosion cutter a few days in advance to head off problems there. 

While you have the shaft out,  replace the shaft log hose, disassemble/clean up and repack the stuffing box (with GFO or eqv).   Should be able to do this project in an afternoon, or certainly in a day (or less if you supply the beer).   As I recall,  we did both my boat and Chris Holts boat in a weekend and could have done it in a day knowing what we know now.    (#809 and #4??).

-JeffH






------Original Message------
From: Paul Adison
Sender: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
To: c320-list at catalina320.com
ReplyTo: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Shaft Replacement
Sent: Apr 25, 2010 4:11 PM

Has anyone replaced their shaft?  I hit something last year and the  
shaft is bent about 1/4" just after the strut.  It looks to me like  
the engine will have to be moved in order to pull the shaft out (or  
put the new one in).  Is that the case?

Paul Adison
S/V "Rough Draft" _/ )
C320 #722