CD25D Stuffing Box Packing/Burning Soybean Oil

[Dan VanWinkle]

I plan to repack the stuffing box on my CD25D this spring. When surveyed at purchase, the surveyor indicated the shaft is 1-inch. Things I've read indicate the distance from shaft to wall must be measured, then you buy paching that thick, plus some of the next size up.
Can someone tell me what size they have used and perhaps save me a trip to the bowels of my mighty ship? Has anyone use the "Teflon" flax packing advertised in West's catalog? On a different note, has anyone burned soybean oil in their diesel? A friend of mine swears by it. I think he mixes up to 30%. Apparently, there have been some long term tests with it. It's available from some were around Kent Narrows on the Chesapeak. Only problem I've seen is that it makes the exhaust smell like McDonald's french fries and you are hungry all the time. dvw



dwinvan@aol.com

[Matt Cawthorne]

For two years now I have used a 20% mix of soydiesel in my Perkins 4-108 engine. It seems to work well. The transom remains clean where it used to get lots of black exhaust residue on it. I have not noticed any change in power or starting performance. When I purchased it I could only get it in 5 gallon jugs and the price was very high. I would be interested in finding out where it could be found locally on the Chesapeake.
Matt



mcawthor@bellatlantic.net

[Bill]

I plan to repack the stuffing box on my CD25D this spring.

Dan, my owners manual indicates the use of 1/4 flaxed packing. Last spring (on my Catalina 27) I used the West Marine Teflon stuff without a hitch. I had dreaded the job but it was quite simple. The boat was a 1975 and I think it was the first time it had been replaced. It was really simple and just as hard if not harder to get to. Also, if I remember correctly, the instruction on the teflon packing mentions useing some kind of teflon coating! I did not use it based upon guidance from WM "expert"

Have some kind of hook to remove the old packing. One book I read said to use a large fishing hook that had been straitghened. I dont remember what I used, but I was able to remove the old flax intact and measured from it for the new one.

Spring is about to spring
Bill
S/V Rhapsody



willie@clnk.com

[John Micaela Baker]

We have been using soya oil 20% for about a year now. We have been favorably impressed. The engine seems to start a little easier when cold and there is no unpleasant diesel smell. In San Francisco it is available at the pump in any quantity at Gashouse Cove. We have been told not to use more than 25% because the oil does not keep the hoses sealed without a significant diesel presence. We have also been told that if you go to 100% soya you have to replace all of the engine fittings and hoses.
John & Micaela Baker
Solana
CD31
I plan to repack the stuffing box on my CD25D this spring. When surveyed at purchase, the surveyor indicated the shaft is 1-inch. Things I've read indicate the distance from shaft to wall must be measured, then you buy paching that thick, plus some of the next size up.

Can someone tell me what size they have used and perhaps save me a trip to the bowels of my mighty ship? Has anyone use the "Teflon" flax packing advertised in West's catalog? On a different note, has anyone burned soybean oil in their diesel? A friend of mine swears by it. I think he mixes up to 30%. Apparently, there have been some long term tests with it. It's available from some were around Kent Narrows on the Chesapeak. Only problem I've seen is that it makes the exhaust smell like McDonald's french fries and you are hungry all the time. dvw

poblana@juno.com