- Action: To Do List item A0097 – Obtain roll of stuffing box 1/4 inch packing gland material.
- Action: To Do List item A0098 – Obtain two (one spare) and install rated and approved stuffing box robust replacement flexible hose with four 316 stainless steel clamps.
- Completed: 16 October 2017
- Cost: $99.09
Selected and ordered WPT Graphtex Ultra (GTU) Flax Shaft Packing, 1/4-inch thick ($15.99), for the stuffing box packing gland material. Had previously ordered and received GTU 5/16-inch thick ($19.99) packing gland which is kept as a spare.
The hose selected for the stuffing box was Buck Algonquin 2.25-inch, five-ply construction, heavy duty hose ($32.99) which came in a 12-inch length - enough to make two stuffing box hoses. This hose is specifically designed for stuffing box use and the reinforcing material used inside the hose is fiber, not metal, which could eventually rust and degrade the hose. Four Trident 720 Series T-Bolt Exhaust Hose Clamps ($30.12) were also obtained.
The Buck Algonquin hose was cut in half using a hack saw. As shown in pictures below: The old original wire reinforced exhaust hose used for the stuffing box hose was compared to the new Buck Algonquin hose, both from a side view and a top down view. There was no doubt which hose is more robust and safer to use. The packing gland fittings and stern tube attach point were inspected and a wire brush wheel driven by a power drill was used to clean them up. The propeller drive shaft was inserted next and the hose and fittings were placed over the shaft, arranged, and double clamps were installed at both ends of the hose. Next the packing gland material was wrapped around the propeller shaft and cut at a 45 degree angle to make three rings of this material. The rings were gently inserted around the shaft into the packing gland fitting with the cut ends offset by 1/3 of the circle diameter. The top gland fitting was installed next and discovered for it to fit properly only two rings of packing gland material could be installed. Removed one packing gland ring and was able to firmly seat the fitting down and then lock it in-place with the two nuts on each stud. The water hose to the stuffing box hose barb will be installed when the engine seawater coolant anti syphon loop is repaired - To Do List item A0135.
Installed the 4-inch shaft flange and shaft key on the propeller shaft with a liberal coat of Lanocote to minimize corrosion. Took extra caution to align the flange on the shaft so the two ends of the set screws aligned with the corresponding dimples in the propeller shaft. The two set screws were firmly tightened and lock in place with the lock nuts; then they were both safety wired together to prevent loosening up. The four mount bolts with lock washer and nuts were installed and torqued down.
