Catalina 34

General Activities => Main Message Board => Topic started by: amoreau on March 27, 2004, 03:28:40 PM

Title: stuffing box
Post by: amoreau on March 27, 2004, 03:28:40 PM
Hi,  I have a 2000 MKII c34.  I didn't see the size of the flax needed for the stuffing box in the owners manual.  I found mentioned in the search here that it could be 1/4 or 3/16 inches.  Has anyone changed a MKII recently?  I'm going to order goretex over the internet.  Thanks.
Title: stuffing box
Post by: Ron Hill - guest?? on March 27, 2004, 03:49:59 PM
Al : The size for all C34s is 3/16" packing.  I'd recommend that you use the GORE drippless packing.  Look in the projects list and call (410)392-3200 to order.  APACHE #788  ;)
Title: stuffing box
Post by: Stu Jackson on March 27, 2004, 10:28:15 PM
MEASURE TWICE, CUT???

Al

It's not really hard to measure it.  Just back off the locking nut, and then the stuffing box, and measure the distance from the shaft to the inside of the nut.

Most times it's 3/16, but some folks, back when I declared it WAS ALWAYS 3/16, including Ron, have noted that some are 1/4.

IT'S NOT THE BOAT, IT'S THE LOG AND SHAFT for your own particular boat.

Stu

PS

Once you have it figured out, write it down and keep it safely with your computer passwords  :)
Title: stuffing box
Post by: amoreau on March 28, 2004, 04:53:24 AM
Thanks for the info.  Yes, I'm going with gore, for some reason I had goretex stuck in my head.
Title: Re: stuffing box
Post by: Stu Jackson on March 01, 2006, 01:55:06 PM
Just a reminder that stuffing box information is written up in the original C34 website home page in FAQs.  It is: http://www.c34.org/faq-pages/faq-stuffing-box.html

Additionally, after I wrote that, Gore came out with their new packing material, which can eb found at: http://www.e-marine-inc.com/products/gfopacking/packing.html
Title: Re: stuffing box
Post by: Ron Hill on March 01, 2006, 03:38:35 PM
Guys : That Gore packing is the way to go!! 
Replaced mine last spring while the boat was in the water.  Look in the tech note for that procedure.  Not as daunting a task as it may sound.  Think that mine had lasted about 6 or 7 years until I decided to change it.   :thumb:
Title: Re: stuffing box
Post by: Norris Johnson on March 01, 2006, 03:59:44 PM
I agree. Changed mine out with Gore Tex this past July. No drips. No heat. I used 3/16, but I think 1/4 would have fit better. The 3/16 is holding. We'll see how long it lasts.
Title: Re: stuffing box
Post by: Stu Jackson on March 02, 2006, 10:42:23 AM
One of the worst things you can do is oversize the flax.  It'll cut a groove in your shaft.  Rather than just stuff the too big material in, please, measure, measure, measure.  After all, it's right there in front of you.
Title: Re: stuffing box
Post by: Ron Hill on March 02, 2006, 05:26:23 PM
As Stu said DON'T over stuff the packing in the gland nut. 
Always make a periodic check of the temperature of the nut.  Carefully touch the nut while the engine is running and the shaft is turning.  The nut can be warm, but if you can't keep your hand on it -- then the gland nut is too tight or stuffing too large and you need to back off the nut and or redo it.   :!: