Re Packing Rudder Port

OK. Thanks. That's what I was thinking must go in there.

I have a follow-on question. Anybody know what kind of grease should go into that grease fitting on the rudder?

Brian, here are some pics:
Interior stern

Rudder port with packing nut and tiller arm removed

Packing nut repacked with fresh packing

Good luck with HR today Jim.   I am guessing they are filming a training video on how it is supposed to be done by the star?!!!   I may need to do a drive by and check on your rudder work since I need to do the very same with mine.

Do you have a camera handy? Not to be a PITA, but I'd like to see what a real one looks like all apart and ready to be assembled.

When I packed mine i did as you described above, just like the shaft packing. 3 staggered layers of packing.

Good deal; and the $.38 question-what did you use?

I've seen several combinations of packing and the thin brass washer on rudders and shafts. Maybe someone can tell us both how they are supposed to be.

Long ago I was cleaning out a car before it went to the wrecker (I was driving a tow truck at the time)and I found the biggest channel lock pliers I've ever seen. It's about 2 1/2 feet long, and can grip up yo about 6 inches wide. I thought, what would I ever need something this big for?
I almost chucked it. Since then it's saved my butt many times. That one and a smaller one (maybe 14 inches)busted my rudder and drive shaft lock nuts loose with no problem on a 24 year old SN that's had no maintenance I'm sure. You need a bigger wrench!
BTW, I don't care if my nuts are scratched!

Guilty as charged.   

It's been a long time since I scratched my brass...

Greg,
You are a brass beaver chewing up the hex nuts too!!

Greg, thanks for the invite. Right now I would have to pull the boat up there on the trailer. Seats, floor and gas tank out. I did spray a little liquid wrench, that I had on hand, around the lock washer before I left this morning. Had not had a chance to wrench on her yet tonight (the boat I mean). I have several pretty large pipe wrenches. It is pretty hard to get good leverage in those tight quarters. Got some job related homework to do tonight, probably won't have a chance to give it a try till tomorrow night. Want to get it done though....not much lake time left this year.

Jim,
Get the two wrench handles close to one another and squeeze. Usually you can get the leverage to break the two nuts. However, I have run accross some where somone had the same problem and resorted to the old center punch and hammer trick on the hex of the jam nut.

Forget the PB Blaster. In a previous thread the breaking torque figures were posted of various penetrating oils. PB came out almost as bacd as WD-40!! It's all marketing hype!!! The best was a home brew of 50% acetone and 50% ATF. Next was Kroil. I always have a can of Kroil around. Give the PB to your wife to use on the kitchen cabinet hinges!!

Pete, not able to bust the packing nuts loose on the rudder port. Any suggestions?
If I am correct, the large top nut needs to go counterclockwise to loosen as the bottom, locking nut, needs to go clockwise. Does this sound correct?
Should I spray some PB Blaster on them?

I'm getting water through in our 88 after 10 years of never touching it. Pick up about 2-3 gallons over night. I plan on simply tightening it first.