[C320-list] stuffing box issues

[Jeff Hare]

I would tighten the stuffing box.  Before doing that, spray the threads with a penetrating oil and let it sit for a while,  then use a small wire brush to clean the visible threads on the stuffing box.

If you can loosen the narrow locking nut, back that off and clean the threads up close to the packing nut (the big one).

Then tighten the packing nut until it stops leaking. Make sure that the prop shaft still turns by hand and then tighten the locking nut and retest that the shaft turns and it doesn't leak.

If you run the engine in gear for a while, see if the nut is getting too hot to keep your hand on.  If so, you'll want to loosen it very slightly.  It is ok to get pretty warm when motoring fast, but not too hot to touch.

Next year, try GFO brand dripless packing braids.  They're a black goreTex material that works really well and doesn't dry out.

Jeff

Barbara Uhlman <uhlman at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

>Hey, gang,
>
>I believe this discussion has appeared earlier, but I was not able to
>find it on 
>the site.  
>
>I have a several of questions re. the above.  We have developed a leak
>in the 
>stuffing box area.  The boat was on the hard from April to the
>beginning of 
>December of last year and a diver told us that the stuffing box had
>dried out 
>and shrank during those hot months in the Florida sun.  Hence, the
>leak.  We had 
>it tightened, but it still leaks considerably more than what it did on
>a 
>northern lake..
>
>This year the plan is to leave the boat in the water til mid July or so
>at which 
>time we will have it pulled again until the first of December. 
>
>What to do now?  Tighten it more?  Replace the stuffing?  If so, with
>which 
>kind?  I don't want to do something that will dry out again sitting on
>the hard 
>next fall.
>
>I recall discussion on the dripless vs the more traditional stuffing
>boxes.  Can 
>someone give us some advice?
>
>Thanks.
>
>Barb Uhlman
>Whisper, #1158
>PuntaGorda, FL