Drip-Less Packing

[Lee H. Hodsdon]

Spring is comming, Spring is comming, Spring is comming.

OK, does any one have experience with the Drip Less packing kit sold by West Marine. The kit consists of teflon base lubricant, and soft pastelike packing which is moulded around the shaft in the stuffing box. This combined with a couple of rings of conventional packing is said to provide a no leak air to water interface. I thought it a good idea and less pricey than the rotating seal type of stuffing box. If the packing fails you have a leak, if the rotating seal fails the results could be far more serious. I installed the stuff already (a real treat on a 25D), just wanted to see if anyone has any thoughts or experience with its use.

Thank you,

Lee



lhodsdon@nh.ultranet.com

[Tom]

Spring is comming, Spring is comming, Spring is comming.

OK, does any one have experience with the Drip Less packing kit sold by West Marine. The kit consists of teflon base lubricant, and soft pastelike packing which is moulded around the shaft in the stuffing box. This combined with a couple of rings of conventional packing is said to provide a no leak air to water interface. I thought it a good idea and less pricey than the rotating seal type of stuffing box. If the packing fails you have a leak, if the rotating seal fails the results could be far more serious. I installed the stuff already (a real treat on a 25D), just wanted to see if anyone has any thoughts or experience with its use.

Thank you,

Lee

I installed it in my CD 31 4 years ago. It has never leaked a drop and I hand tightened it and didn't need a wrench. It develops no heat whatsoever. After 8 hours running the stuffing box is still as cold as the sea water. If it ever goes bad, you just take it out and put in regular oakum. I think it's the greatest stuff since sliced bread.



TacCambria@thegrid.net

[BobM.]

Spring is comming, Spring is comming, Spring is comming.

OK, does any one have experience with the Drip Less packing kit sold by West Marine. The kit consists of teflon base lubricant, and soft pastelike packing which is moulded around the shaft in the stuffing box. This combined with a couple of rings of conventional packing is said to provide a no leak air to water interface. I thought it a good idea and less pricey than the rotating seal type of stuffing box. If the packing fails you have a leak, if the rotating seal fails the results could be far more serious. I installed the stuff already (a real treat on a 25D), just wanted to see if anyone has any thoughts or experience with its use.

Thank you,

Lee

Lee,

How in the world did you get back there to do the change? I would really be interested since I have a CD25D also but have not yet had the fortunate experience to do what you have done.

Bob
Ranger #144



rmalinka@spec.net

[Ed Haley]

I have a CD28 and I'm wondering how to do the trick too! I'd be willing to try the WM packing material if I (read, the yard) can eliminate the need for tweaking the stuffing box twice a season!



eghaley@dreamscape.com

[Steve]

I installed the drip-free packing material 3 yrs ago on my 25D. So far... no leaks, no heat, no problem. As far as access for installing it, just empty out the port cockpit locker, pull out the access board, and crawl in (feet toward the stern)! A boat cushion or two in the locker will help keep you more comfortable. Not a fun job, but I've done worse.

Spring is comming, Spring is comming, Spring is comming.

OK, does any one have experience with the Drip Less packing kit sold by West Marine. The kit consists of teflon base lubricant, and soft pastelike packing which is moulded around the shaft in the stuffing box. This combined with a couple of rings of conventional packing is said to provide a no leak air to water interface. I thought it a good idea and less pricey than the rotating seal type of stuffing box. If the packing fails you have a leak, if the rotating seal fails the results could be far more serious. I installed the stuff already (a real treat on a 25D), just wanted to see if anyone has any thoughts or experience with its use.

Thank you,

Lee

Lee,

How in the world did you get back there to do the change? I would really be interested since I have a CD25D also but have not yet had the fortunate experience to do what you have done.

Bob
Ranger #144

[Lee H. Hodsdon]

Bob,

As Steve said, empty the locker, go in feet first toward the stern. Put a couple of cushions for your head against the bulkhead. I have a Westerbeke 10-2 with a Hirth HBW-50 transmission and the distance between the shaft coupling half and the stuffing box was < 3/4", so I removed the coupling from the shaft to allow the disassembly of the stuffing box. I cleaned up the shaft, and installed the packing per the mfg instructions and reassembled the stuffing box. Depending on your type of aux power, you may have more room.

Thank you so much to all who replied, looks like I did the correct thing.

Sincerely,

Lee

Spring is comming, Spring is comming, Spring is comming.

OK, does any one have experience with the Drip Less packing kit sold by West Marine. The kit consists of teflon base lubricant, and soft pastelike packing which is moulded around the shaft in the stuffing box. This combined with a couple of rings of conventional packing is said to provide a no leak air to water interface. I thought it a good idea and less pricey than the rotating seal type of stuffing box. If the packing fails you have a leak, if the rotating seal fails the results could be far more serious. I installed the stuff already (a real treat on a 25D), just wanted to see if anyone has any thoughts or experience with its use.

Thank you,

Lee

Lee,

How in the world did you get back there to do the change? I would really be interested since I have a CD25D also but have not yet had the fortunate experience to do what you have done.

Bob
Ranger #144

lhodsdon@nh.ultranet.com

[Ed Haley]

Well, here goes! I bought the dripless packing and flax for Jasmine. Interestingly, the instructions indicate that the removal of the old stuffing and placement of the dripless variety is to be done when the boat is in the water! I'm wondering if this is really necessary or just maybe old hat for the person writing the directions. I'd prefer to install the material while Jasmine is on the hard. Then tweak it later. Steve, did you do the job while the boat was in the water?



eghaley@dreamscape.com

[Lee H. Hodsdon]

Ed,

I think you will find the final adjustment is made in the water. Steve, what do you think?

Sincerely,

Lee



lhodsdon@nh.ultranet.com

[Lee H. Hodsdon]

Ed,

I think you will find the final adjustment is made in the water. Steve, what do you think?

Sincerely,

Lee



lhodsdon@nh.ultranet.com

[Steve]

The easiest thing to do is to install new packing while on the hard so you don't have to worry about sealing the shaft (e.g., with modellers clay) to keep the water out. The final adjustment is done in the water so that you can run the engine with shaft turning to ensure that the stuffing box is "drip-free" but not overtightened.

Ed,

I think you will find the final adjustment is made in the water. Steve, what do you think?

Sincerely,

Lee