[Public-List] Packing Gland

[Rick Leach]

Ahoy all,
I'm supposing that the "21st century" device is a mechanical seal, like those used with great success and reliability on pumps, etc.  They are, as Gord points out, great...right up until the moment they become an emergency.  Unlike pumps, which are generally very well aligned and easy to access, the prop shafts on our boats are not.  I've installed dozens of mechanical seals with good success, but would never consider one for this application.  Instead, like many others on the list, I've had good results with the teflon putty that is designed to replace all but the first and last packing rings in the stuffing box.  It wasn't much easier to install than regular packing, but it seems to be lasting a lot longer, with less leakage.  It seems to require less compression too.  That has to help the shaft last longer too.  If you're interested, search for "Drip Less Moldable PTFE Packing".

Here's a link to an article that discusses the various options:  http://seagrant.uaf.edu/bookstore/boatkeeper/dripless-seals.pdf

Rick Leach
Sugar Magnolia, #121
Monterey, California



From: Gordon Laco <mainstay at csolve.net>
To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all
    <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
Subject: Re: [Public-List] Packing Gland
Message-ID: <83217511-29C8-4132-8C78-CF3B8A3844F8 at csolve.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

Yo Ho John -

I tend to agree... the newer 'dripless' glands are like electronic  
ignition.  They are fine until they are not; in which case there is  
nothing you can do but get ashore somehow and replace them.   The old  
style (point ignition, packed shaft glands) have cranky half-lives to  
tell you they are on their last legs.  And if they do fail, they tend  
not fail catastrophically but rather incrimentally.

All Hands, all hands, Hands to your stations...

Gord

On 3-Nov-09, at 1:59 PM, John Birch wrote:

> I've heard of some of those styles of new glands (don't know which)  
> seizing and ripping themselves off the stern tube, imagine that  
> lovely scenario .... blub blub blub
>
> I'm sticking with the 1/4" old packing technology, now square the  
> yards, beat to quarters and run out the guns ; )
>
> Best
>
> John
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Thedodore Liszczak" <tedliszczak at metrocast.net 
> >
> To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <public-list at alberg30.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 1:52 PM
> Subject: [Public-List] Packing Gland
>
>
>> I have seen references relating to the replacement of the original  
>> packing gland with a "21st century" device. Any suggestions, any  
>> precautions, would be appreciated. After 30 years, I am tired of  
>> having to squeeze over the engine to repack, re tighten the gland.
>> Sincerely,
>> Ted Liszczak
>> Freedom
>> A-345
 1257280382.0