Despite a lot of encouragement to adopt a PSS drip less shaft seal, I have decided to stick with the traditional stuffing box packing for at least this rebuild.
After much effort, and following the advice of Joe Valinoti and others (thank you all), I succeeded in opening up the stuffing box. I now understand the construction (on Persistence, the packing goes in the nut, NOT in the box, as I had been led to believe by earlier research on the internet) – my problem is that the pieces of packing that I have removed are not easy to measure – they are either ¼ or 5/16, and I understand that it is important to match the size. Can other NS30U users with a 1” shaft and a V-drive (FWIW) pass along the packing size that they are using? I am leaning to Gore GFO packing – any other recommendations?
Thanks for all the help to date – it is appreciated.
I don’t remember the size offhand. I do recall to use three pieces with the openings staggered. If you have a manual for the boat, it is described as to the size and amount along with the process.
Joe Valinoti
S/V IL Gatto NS30U #221 (1984)
Sea Harbour Yacht Club
Oriental, NC
I re-packed mine last spring and it is ¼”. I used 3 rounds of Teflon impregnated packing – be sure to stagger the butts. It needed one adjustment (tightening) after running and is now almost ‘dripless’ with shaft remaining cool.
Thanks Larry (and to several others who replied) I should have had the wit
to open the manual there in section 55 is confirmation that Persistence
will need 2 rounds of 1/4 telon impregnated asbestos (!)
which is what I seem to have extracted from the packing nut. The manual
also has a schematic of the shaft and all the bits, including the size of
the stern tube (1-3/4) so it appears I can now obtain all I need and get to
work.
I use permatex antiseize on the threads to make it easier to adjust and change in the future. The two wrenches that came with the boat worked once I got it loose. It took several runs to adjust it so it doesn’t leak execept under power and still remain cool.
Thanks John had been thinking of the next time as well this has been
painful I soaked the threads for a couple of weeks and then tapped a piece
of wood down on the wrench attached to the locknut almost no throw is
possible in the @#$%^&* space, but the soaking helped and it loosened up. I
now am looking at the hose (which means pulling the shaft) and while the
shaft is out, checking it for trueness and also checking the cutless bearing
what starts a small job can quickly become a monster!