[C320-list] Packing gland

[Amiraults Family]

Bill:

 

I have a packing gland as well, and I have repacked on the hard and in the
water; both times using GFO Dripless Packing. I am happy with the product as
once the nut has been properly adjusted post-install of the packing, it
really doesn't drip and my bilge stays dry.

 

You can query YouTube to find video on how to do a packing install. On the
hard is easiest 'cause you need not deal with water coming into the boat
through the gland while you have the nut off and are attempting to do the
packing. In the water you cut all your packing to fit on the shaft before
loosening off the nut and keep rags handy to stuff in the gap between the
gland and the nut until you are ready to tighten. In both cases once hand
tight and not dripping (for the dripless) you need to run the engine under
load to confirm that the drip (or not) is appropriate, and that the packing
is not so tight that the nut becomes uncomfortably hot. If hot then loosen
off a bit.

 

Packing should last for years.the less you turn the shaft the longer. As the
packing wears and the drip increases additional life can be realized by
nothing more than tightening down the nut a bit to reduce drip. Eventually
this fix no longer works and you then need to replace the packing.

 

Final words. If the shaft is dripping no more that you deem necessary, and
the nut remains not hot with the engine under load, then you have no
problem. If you have no problem you could consider leaving it alone and
using the time you save to sail more.

 

Brian Amirault

797 Waltzing Bear, too 



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