Re-placing Packing

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Bill

Re-placing Packing

Post by Bill »

Hello to all

Well, I'm getting closer....

I just replaced the flax in my stuffing box. Talk about needing a "tiny" person....However, I need advise on how to get the nut which contains the flax back on the shaft???? I used 1/4" packing which looks to be the same as the old stuff (and what the manual calls for). But man what a TIGHT fit.....Now how to get the nut back in place.

Thanks in Advance

Bill

Moving ever so slowly towards the water.....
S/V Rhapsody
CD25D



cd25d@rhapsodysails.com
Ken Coit

Re: Re-placing Packing

Post by Ken Coit »

Bill,

Once, you are certain you have removed all the old flax, you ought to be able to get three rounds of flax into the nut.

The trick is to put in a round of flax, run the nut onto the box to compress the flax, put in another round, run the nut onto the box to compress the two rounds together, put in the third round, and run the nut onto the box to compress them all together. The rounds need to be very close to the correct length, overlapping only at the tapered ends.

If it doesn't fit after all that, then pull a round out. I had trouble getting three rounds installed as well.

The cut in each round should be offset by 180 degrees from the previous round so that the water must travel the maximum distance if it is sneaking through the cuts. The cuts should be made diagonally to increase the length of the joint and create a pressure seal between the two ends of the round.

I used the green goop teflon product and it seems to be holding up quite well.

Good luck!

Ken
S/V Parfait
Raleigh, NC

Bill wrote: Hello to all

Well, I'm getting closer....

I just replaced the flax in my stuffing box. Talk about needing a "tiny" person....However, I need advise on how to get the nut which contains the flax back on the shaft???? I used 1/4" packing which looks to be the same as the old stuff (and what the manual calls for). But man what a TIGHT fit.....Now how to get the nut back in place.

Thanks in Advance

Bill

Moving ever so slowly towards the water.....
S/V Rhapsody
CD25D


parfait@nc.rr.com
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