[C320-list] Dripless Packing Replacement

Fri Aug 15 14:37:14 PDT 2014

I have used the GTU from West Marine with good results(dry bilge).
Lew

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Sloat <resloat at comcast.net>
To: C320-List <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Fri, Aug 15, 2014 12:52 pm
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dripless Packing Replacement

Ted-My old note surfaces.  Can’t comment on the GFU.  The original install is 
still dripless after almost 8 seasons with a very readjust at launch in the 
spring after motoring to my slip for 15 minutes under power.  I only got 2 rings 
of GFO (e-marine) in the packing gland initially and the next year managed to 
get an additional ring.  The 1/4 inch size is correct per Bill Culbertson below.  
Clean out the old stuff with a dental pick or fairly long screw, clean off the 
shaft (I used a very gentle rubbing with 1000 grit paper).  The biggest 
challenge was getting the packing gland unscrewed using 2 very large adjustable 
plier wrenches.  The thin nut unscrews counter clockwise just like a normal 
fitting. I did my replacement on the tarmac.  Some have done it in the water.

On Aug 15, 2014, at 10:51 AM, tharrison at innovations-plus.com wrote:

> Is there a difference between GFO sold by e-marine and GFU sold by Catalina
> direct?
> 
> Ted - Hull 424
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Robert Sloat
> Sent: April-11-14 10:58 PM
> To: C320-List
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dripless Packing Replacement
> 
> A note of a few years ago on GFO packing.
> 
> On Feb 6, 2006, at 8:08 PM, Robert E. Sloat <resloat at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
>> Karl-I have the GFO packing that Bill refers to in the link installed 
>> in hull #894 and it is the best $18 investment made on the boat.  It 
>> is basically dripless and takes only a few minutes to install.
>> 
>> Packing
>> size for my boat is 1/4 inch even though my owner's manual says it is 
>> 3/16 inch.  The link tells you what size to use depending on the space 
>> between the shaft and the inside of the stuffing box.  I measured mine 
>> by unscrewing the gland nut and finding a drill size (1/4 ") that 
>> snuggly fit in the space between the shaft and the stuffing box.
>> 
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Bill Culbertson" <billculb_a2 at yahoo.com>
>> To: "C320-List" <C320-List at catalina320.org>; <kmielen at iwon.com>
>> Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 4:29 PM
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Packing Replacement
>> 
>> 
>>> Karl,
>>> 
>>> Order online from:
>>> http://www.e-marine-inc.com/products/gfopacking/packing.html
>>> Stay completely away from various stuff stocked in marine stores and
>> online at other sites with "gore" in the name.  They are NOT the same
> thing.
>> I tried them, they don't work well.  But this stuff is excellent.
>>> 
>>> Also - MEASURE.  Do not rely on what the manual says.  Some folks on 
>>> the
>> list have 3/16" packing - others have 1/4" packing.  The manual says 3/16"
>> but mine (#859) is definitely 1/4".  I got fooled and put in 3/16" one
> year.
>> It dripped unacceptably but more importantly when I removed it at the 
>> end of the season to replace with something which performed better, I 
>> noticed the ring cross-section was now rectangular instead of square.  
>> One dimension was 1/4" and the other much less than 3/16".
>>> 
>>> See the picture on the above link for what to measure.  An excellent 
>>> way
>> to do this that was suggested on this list is to (carefully) use drill
> bits.
>> Keep increasing the size until it won't fit.  Don't scratch anything 
>> but the drill bit is much more accurate than a ruler or tape measure.
>>> 
>>>  Bill Culbertson
>>>  Harmony #859
>>> 
>>> Chris Burti <cburti at yahoo.com> wrote:
>>> Repack with the Gortex. No drips and virtually impossible to wear 
>>> out unless you over-tighten it.
>>> 
>>> --- "Karl Mielenhausen _/) "
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> I have about 560 hrs on the engine and what I assume to be the 
>>>> original shaft packing material. At survey (in Sept) I had a fair 
>>>> leak (30 drops/min at rest).
>>>> I was able to tighten the packing nut and now enjoy a drop/min or 
>>>> less, with no warming detected during running.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> For those of you who did not upgrade to a PSS seal, any 
>>>> recommendations on how frequently the stock packing material should 
>>>> be replaced? Was it Teflon impregnated, like what is available 
>>>> today?
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Since we tend to haul every other year here for bottom paint, so 
>>>> this spring would be the opportune time to also address the packing.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks in advance for your wisdom(s)....
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Karl Mielenhausen
>>>> 
>>>> 2000 C320 Hull#690 "Silver Lining"
>>>> 
>>>> New Bern, NC
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
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>>> 
>>> 
>>> Chris Burti
>>> "Commitment"
>>> Catalina 320, #867,
>>> Farmville, NC
>>> 
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>> 
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> 
> Bob Sloat
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 

Bob Sloat
Savannah 894 (2002)
Waukegan Harbor, IL