stuffing box????

mykwillis · Outlaw Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 105 City: garland, tx.

does anyone know about what a boat repair shop would charge to redo the stuffing on the prop shaft? i might not be using the correct terms. i am getting quite a few more drips than i would like coming from my prop shaft. since it is an older boat my guess would be that the packing needs to be redone? true? is this a difficult job? i don't really think this is uncomon. am i wrong? is this expensive? am i freaking out over nothing? any help would be appreciated. thanks!

Johnny G · Outlaw Joined: 13 Feb 2003 Posts: 100 City: Orlando

Assuming you have a direct drive, you are correct. You may need to have the the shaft repacked. It shouldn't cost to much. Also, this is very common and you shouldn't worry. This is something that should be done yearly.

BMontgomery · Criminal Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 55 City: Baytown,TX

REPACKING YOUR PACKING GLAND IS A 10 MINUTE JOB THAT COSTS $5.00. JUST OPEN IT UP A BY TAKING THE BIG NUT LOOSE, TAKE OUT THE OLD FLAX PACKING AND REPLACE IT WITH NEW PACKING. WRAP IT AROUND THE SHAFT SEVERAL TIMES AND WHEN YOU ARE IN THE WATER, JUST TIGHTEN IT UP UNTIL IT DRIPS 2 OR 3 TIMES A MINUTE.

mykwillis · Outlaw Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 105 City: garland, tx.

thanks guys! i was thinking about trying it my self but if it is cheap to just have it done i was just going to pay the money.

baytown? are you by houston raceway?

boehnkew · Outlaw Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 112 City: Kennewick, WA

Have you tried tightening it? It is not uncommon to have to tighten it every year or so.

graphik · Addict Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 727 City: miller lake

I like to stuff box...

mykwillis · Outlaw Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 105 City: garland, tx.

marcg · Addict Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 944 City: Salt Lake City

Do it yourself. This does not need the assistance of a shop.
A wrench and some new packing (like a couple of dollars).

J_DOGG · Posted: May 16, 2003 8:35 am Post subject:

he said "stuff box", he, he, funny, funny

boehnkew · Outlaw Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 112 City: Kennewick, WA

If it doesn't leak a little you will burn up the packing really fast. You want it so it doesn't leak when the shaft is not turning and so it drips a little (2-4 drips/minute or so) at idle. The packing is lubricated by the leaking water, so less is not necessarily better in this case.

Many people just try to get it so it is not dripping when not turning and dripping "just a little" when it is turning. If you can do that, it's probably fine.