[C320-list] Stuffing box question

[Jon Vez]

I completely agree with Jeff! Unless you’re certain that the old packing is in reasonably good shape, I wouldn’t do this in the water.
I changed mine out last winter (on the hard) and it took me many days of coming back with different tools and techniques to get *all* of the packing out and make sure the cavity is clean to accept the new.
You never know what you’re up against...
Happy Thanksgiving...

Sent from my iPad

> On Nov 26, 2020, at 8:09 AM, Jeff Hare <Catalina at thehares.com> wrote:
> 
> You guys are brave!  I would do a short-haulout, clean and repaint the bottom if needed, change zincs, replace stuffing box material, check the cutlass bearing, lube all the thru hulls and relaunch.Having changed the packing on land, it takes some time to do correctly.. You might not get it all right the first time.Removing the old packing can be quite difficult and take alot more time than you expect.  You'll be digging for all sorts of tools and creating your own to try to reach and. pick out the old compressed material. If you don't actually get all the old packing out, how much do you put back in can be trial and error and still get the nut threaded. I wouldn't want to be under that time pressure without a couple other experienced hands helping out... I know people do it, but it's unnecessarily risky and stressful to save maybe $200 for a short haul where they leave you in the sling or trailer for 24hrs... My $.02Jeff Hare
> -------- Original message --------From: Daniel Kolean <dkolean60 at gmail.com> Date: 11/25/20  11:36 PM  (GMT-05:00) To: C320-List at catalina320.com Subject: Re: [C320-list] Stuffing box question I used a piece of bike inner tube.  Gave it a couple wraps then zip tied fore and aft. No leak therefore no pressure in fitting the GFO packing. I think three rings was too much, I could only catch about 2 threads. So I took it apart and went with two rings. I used pvc as a gauge to cut the gfo and made another “tool” out of pvc to push the ring into the nut.Sent from my iPhone> On Nov 25, 2020, at 9:53 PM, Art Harden <artstree at aol.com> wrote:> > You can use a 3/4” pvc pipe plug (1” OD same size as the shaft) to precut the packing. Drill a hole that will accept the packing in the plug and close to one end. Insert the packing end and make four wraps. Cut at an angle with a razor blade and you will have your three pieces of packing pre cut. Be sure to grease the packing and rotate the joint locations about 120 degrees. > > Just my thoughts. I replace mine when on the hard so no issues on water coming in. I have thought of slicing a piece of swim noodle and putting it on the shaft if in the water, but I have never tried it. > > Art Harden> Catalina 320 “Tortuga” #243> 937-477-5544> >> On Nov 25, 2020, at 8:01 PM, Darren Hulbert <dhulbert at me.com> wrote:>> >> I didn’t have much of a flow at all. I also used a small piece of PVC pipe cut in half to stuff the packing in the nut. (Thank you 320 forum!)>> >> Reposado #816>> Channel Islands, CA>> >>>> On Nov 25, 2020, at 4:47 PM, Jack Brennan <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net> wrote:>>> >>> So I’m preparing for a big step – changing the packing in my stuffing box for the first time.>>> >>> All of the time I’ve owned diesels, I’ve never done this because the job required acrobatics beyond my capabilities. Obviously, with the 320, there is no reason not to learn to do this job myself.>>> >>> First question: When you unscrew the nut, how much water comes rushing in? A gusher, a trickle? I know that each model of boat seems to be different. On my old Bristol, the mechanic reported there wasn’t much flow at all compared to other boats.>>> >>> Second question: Assuming I’ve measured and cut the packing beforehand, do I need a wrap around where the water is coming in? This is a nod to my natural clumsiness and likely fumbling while under pressure to clean out the old packing as quickly as possible.>>> >>> I was thinking an old bicycle tube wrapped around the shaft. Not leak proof, but enough to slow things down.>>> >>> Any other good tips for a novice?>>> >>> Jack Brennan>>> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320>>> Tierra Verde, Fl.>>> >>> >>> >>> Sent from Mail for Windows 10>>> >