shaft packing gland?

[EdHouston]

Hi All

Terrible thing happened yesterday, backing out of the slip I seemed to have very little power although the engine was revving and doing its thing just great, after making the turn to put her bow outward she again seemed very sluggish, getting only about two knots full power I came to the conclusion that my prop was fouled. Sure enough what appeared to be a kids blanket (presume an IKE remnant) had tightly wrapped its self around my prop shaft.

Four or five dives later it appears all the crap is off the shaft and she is good to go, I now have a little vibration at about 1100rpm and my shaft gland is dripping at a rate of four drips a minute. I tried to undo the shaft packing nut but could not get it with my clines, it looks like the nut and backing nut is about 2" any one have advice how to get the nuts unlocked? I think once I get the nuts undone I can manage the packing but getting the nuts is the challenge for me do I go out and buy two 2" open ended wrenches? Or can I get it with pipe wrenches?

Ed

[Jim S]

Not to rain on your parade, but a packing gland will not cause vibration.  You may have bent the propeller or the shaft.  That being said, put a small pipe wrench on the forward nut and a small pipe wrench (you can but some fancy wrenches for this) on the aft nut and break the join by backing the forward nut counterclockwise.  The packing is in the forward nut.  A fair amount of water will come in around the shaft at the aft nut but you probably will not sink if you have the packing already purchased.  Good luck.

[EdHouston]

The vibration may be in my imagination, so I am going to go with what I have and give it a little time. I did manage to get the locking nut free from the forward nut today and tightened the gland nut up about a turn which stopped the drips, after tightening the locking nut back up I had no drips and the gland ran cool after about thirty minutes of running against the mooring.

Thanks Ed

S/V Moonlight Mile

[ishmael]

Dive in one more time and put a little plumbers putty around the shaft where it enters the stern tube log.  This will help decrease if not stop the flow of water in once you crack the stuffing box and will give you time to work.  I know that some can do this quickly but I like to have a little time without the water flow.  Also it's easy to remove afterwards.

Good luck,
Ron

SV Matchmaker
365 ketch #311
St Marks Florida.

[Scott]

Does anyone know what size flax tape to use for re-packing the gland?

[EdHouston]

Hi All

Did not give you all the update on this one, I think the packing is either 1/2" or 3/8".

I had a diver go and take another look at the prop and there was still a fair amount of cloth wrapped around the shaft, while he was there he cleaned all the crap off and replaced the shaft zinc, now I have no vibration and alls well that ends well.

Ed

S/V Moonlight Mile #110.

[eveningebb]

I used ¼" Teflon packing and Teflon packing paste.  I replaced the shaft log as well since that was beginning to deteriorate.

[Scott]

I ended up using 1/4 inch teflon flax from West Marine based on what I pulled out.  It was a real bear to get in (3 strips) so I am assuming that was the right size.  No way I could get anything bigger in