Stuffing Box Question

Well said,all is good.Take care and I will let ya know how this newbie made out.
OUT!
Cariboo

Gentlemen,thanks again for your assistance.An inferior boat? Maybe,but does it really matter? The main point is we are all on the water enjoying the finer things in life....sun,wakes,speed,etc. etc.Take care and I hope I will be able to return the favor.All the best,
Cariboo

Aha, there is your problem, you are dealing with an inferior boat. If there is not enough clearance to use a tool to dig the flax out of the cap, then you will have to pull the driveshaft by seperating the coupling from the transmission flange, remove the coupling and hopefully have enough clearance between rudder and prop to pull shaft out enough to get the coupling and cap off the driveshaft. Now if it were a CC it would be much easier and better build...plastic...sheeesh!

Cariboo:

I am surprised, I have never seen nor heard of a stuffing box being made of plastic (or nylon)...very odd.

So, let's get it fixed for you. If you cannot move the large cap up the shaft, then try to figure out was is obstructing it from sliding. Is there a collar on the shaft as some boats have? If so, loosen the two set screws and slide it up the shaft as well. If not, try Morfoot's suggestion. Once you get it up the shaft, do the following:
1) Dig the old flax (waxed rope) out of the cap with the "booger hook" or dental tools. Careful not to scratch the shaft. You should remove 3 or 4 rings of old flax.
2) Using new flax of proper size (probably 3/16") you neeed to make minimum 3, better 4 seperate rings so that the ends butt tight.
3) Wrap the rings around the shaft with the joints staggered from one another. Push the rings into the cap.
4) Screw the cap onto the shaft log fitting. If you cannot get all four into the cap, then start with three (or even two) and hand tighten the cap on the fitting to compress the flax abit. Then remove and add the other pieces.
5) Tighten the cap just a bit more than hand tight and water test for dripping. You want a few drops every minute or so to keep the stuffing box cool. If need be, tighten until you get just a few drops (or loosen), then safety wire the jamb nut and cap together.

Your rudder stuffing box works the same way, but will probably not have a safety wire as the tiller arm will prevent the cap from completely backing off.

If your stuffing box is indeed nylon, you may want to consider replacing it with Brass (Nibral).

Let us know if you have any specific questions not covered above.

Morfoot,thank you very much for the info. Please excuse my ignorance as I am a first timer on a message board. I have one last question.The nut only slides up the shaft apro.1"which does not give me enough room to get the packing out.Any ideas?

p.s. Dave F , I used the search and the info. in the thread was not specific to my problem.
Have a nice day. Oh I guess I should say nylon not plastic.Sorry for the newbie mistake.

Cariboo

Cariboo, You'll need to remove the cotter pin or safety wire from the two nuts. The seal is sandwiched between the two. Most seals are a wax impregnated rope. Once you loosen the first nut all the way and slide it up the shaft you should be able to look down and see the seal inside the outer nut. Use a "booger hook" to remove the seal, replace it and reinstall nut. Then resafety. Good to go!