[Public-List] Stuffing Box

[Glenn Brooks]

Hi, Yes, second George's comments.  stuffing box wrenches really are invaluable for tightening up or replacing the packing. I made two out a scrap of of 1/4 x 4" flat bar, crudely cut with a torch and sort of semi finished on a bench mill.  It's possible to grunt wrenches out with a handful of metal cutting  jig saw blades- but well worth the effort as it makes taking the stuffing boxes apart a breeze.  Traditionally the nuts are of two different sizes usually I think, a 1/16" difference, although maybe 1/8" on newer models.  

I've never seen a stuffing box wrench with an angled shank, but less than 15 degrees, as shown on the web site could be useful.  

The other thing I learned is that the azimuth of the wrench handle might need to be bent 30 degrees 'upwards' or so to accommodate fitting the wrench down through the deck plate and sitting square on the nuts.  I had to do this on the ones I made, and they work great.

If your stuffing box is leaking, you might get several more years out by simply tightening the packing material down a few turns.  Although at some point the material just gives up and is either to thin or looses to much 'packing' wax to be effective.  Only takes 6" or so of new material to repack.

Glenn B
dolce 318

Sent from my iPad

> On May 27, 2014, at 7:51 PM, Wes Gardner <wesgardner1952 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Yes, thanks, George, those are helpful.  I read with  interest folks being able to lay on top of the motor and reach behind to adjust the stuffing box. My boat has been repowered with a three cylinder Vetus/Mitsubishi diesel and only a very hungry small child could hope to gain access in this manner...I suspect that's why the cockpit sole access hatch was installed!
> 
> Wes
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
>> On May 27, 2014, at 10:19 PM, George Dinwiddie <gdinwiddie at alberg30.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi, Wes,
>> 
>>> On 5/27/14, 9:26 PM, Wes Gardner wrote:
>>> Fortunately (or maybe not) my boat, at some point, was fitted with a
>>> Tempress access hatch such that I can get to the stuffing box fairly
>>> easily. I have enough room to gently use a couple of pipe wrenches
>>> for adjustment. Although I am seriously considering making some
>>> proper wrenches.  The Tempress is leaking now after I don't know how
>>> many seasons so it just might get replaced this year.
>> 
>> You may find some information of interest on http://alberg30.org/maintenance/MechanicalPropulsion/ including some options on stuffing box wrenches.
>> 
>> - George
>> 
>> -- 
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>> When I remember bygone days                         George Dinwiddie
>> I think how evening follows morn;            gdinwiddie at alberg30.org
>> So many I loved were not yet dead,           http://www.Alberg30.org
>> So many I love were not yet born.                          also see:
>>              'The Middle' by Ogden Nash     http://idiacomputing.com
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>> 
>> 
>> 
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