[C320-list] GFO Packing

[Utility Email]

I replaced mine with GFO a couple of years ago when I had a leaking stern tube gland.  Mine took only 2 rings.   There was a little confusion between my owners manual size (5/16") of the packing material and what others had experienced and what fit in my boat.  

My boat has a 1 inch SS shaft and my GFO is 1/4 inch.  From my experience with GFO, make sure that the packing nut is not too tight.  Beside checking the drip rate, also check the temperature of the packing nut - it should not be too hot to the touch if the boat is in cold seawater.  If is is too tight, the material will wear prematurely and potentially score the shaft.  

Dave Swanson
S/V Emily Ann
2007 C320 MK II, No. 1107
Mukilteo, WA



> On Apr 1, 2017, at 12:41 PM, John Jacobs <johjacob1 at mac.com> wrote:
> 
> The old packing came out easily with just a little encouragement from a screw driver.  It was dry and brittle which probably explained the excessive leaking this past summer.  I put a little anti-seize on he threads but no corrosion was noted.  Thanks for the advice.
> 
> 1999 C320 “Surprise” #644
> 
> 
>> On Apr 1, 2017, at 3:35 PM, Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> IMHO, five full turns should be find. The packing should compress for a while so check for adjustment this season. Also, lube the threads on the gland and locking ring. They tend to get some corrosion esp. if there is water being flung around underway. Don't tighten the lock nut overly. It only needs to be snug, not hard on. 
>> 
>> Did you have any difficulty getting the old packing out? When I did ours, I had to screw a long screw into the packing to get a hold on it as I couldn't dig it out. I also took a piece of 1" PVC and cut it length-wise. After the packing was in, I slid the PVC on the shaft into the gland to initially compress it. Don't know if that helped; but, doesn't seem to hurt either. The GFO is very soft and deforms easily. Have to handle it carefully, as I remember.
>> 
>> FYI, when I took an owner's diesel maintenance course in Annapolis, Dr. Diesel, as he was called, told me he never removes the old packing, just add another ring. That's one approach, I guess.
>> 
>> Warren and Pattie Updike
>> 1994 C320 "Warr de Mar" #62
>> Middle River, Chesapeake Bay
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: John Jacobs [mailto:johjacob1 at mac.com] 
>> Sent: Saturday, April 01, 2017 2:00 PM
>> To: C320-list at catalina320.com
>> Subject: [C320-list] GFO Packing
>> 
>> I just cleaned out the old Flax Packing from the stuffing box.  There were a total of 4 complete ringlets of packing inside.  I had purchased GFO packing,  1/4” as per owners manual.  I cut 4 strands to size and installed them with the appropriate degree of rotation for each one so that the seams would not overlap.  All of this was a piece of cake.
>> My concern however is that I was only able to turn the stuffing box nut five turns onto the threaded portion of the Locking nut shaft.   
>> Anyone have the same experience?  Not sure if this is right?  Is this too much packing?  Should I take a ring out?
>> 
>> John Jacobs
>> “Surprise” 1999
>