[C320-list] Stuffing box

[jsheets at aol.com]

Thanks Jeff. 

I would say uncomfortably warm, meaning hot to the touch for several seconds but not blistering. I will be talking to the mechanic later today and will ask about the materials used. My problem is that it did not run that hot before the new shaft. Mechanic tends to agree it should not be running that hot but he's not sure of cause at this point. 

Jerry 

> On Jun 26, 2014, at 11:22 AM, "Jeff Hare" <Catalina at thehares.com> wrote:
> 
> When you say it's hot, how hot?  Uncomfortably warm to the touch, would it
> burn you if you touched it?  Would it sizzle if you dripped water on it?
> 
> The type of packing material you use determines what's "normal" for temp.
> The PTFE/GoreTex packing materials can safely run "hot", but by hot here, I
> mean uncomfortably warm ie. you won't feel like holding your hand on it for
> more than 5 or 10 seconds but it shouldn't be blistering your skin.  These
> kinds don't need water to lubricate them, but the flax type packing
> materials must drip when running to stay lubricated.
> 
> All that said, if it's one of the modern types, you should be able to run it
> hot for a few hours then back the nut off a bit and have it still not drip.
> 
> Other questions:  
> * What size material are you using and how are you installing it?  
> 
> You should be able to get 2 rings in. They should be cut at a 45 degree
> slant where the ends meet AND the joints of the two rings should be 180
> degrees apart.
> 
> We always use 2 rings of 3/16" GFO Packing material.  Be absolutely sure
> you've removed all the old packing material or that could be part of your
> problem.  Ours runs fairly warm with the engine at 3K RPM over a period of
> time, but it won't burn me.
> 
> -Jeff
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
> Of jsheets at aol.com
> Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2014 10:27 AM
> To: c320-list at catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Stuffing box
> 
> I had a post recently about a new shaft and excessive engine vibration.
> Thank you all for your responses. Following your instructions of turning up
> the idle it seems to be fixed. 
> 
> My other problem with the new shaft is that the stuffing box nut is getting
> very hot when motoring. This was not a problem with the old one. I had the
> shaft replaced with a stainless steel one instead of bronze. Since then we
> have tried repacking the box twice, but the packing change does not seem to
> solve the problem. I have also adjusted the nut to allow more drip. That
> does not help either. The mechanic wants to haul it out and check over
> things again. I'm considering a second opinion from another shop in the
> area. 
> 
> Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks as always for your
> responses. 
> 
> Jerry =
>