86 SN2001 drive shaft packing

I have read two different forums regarding the drive shaft packing for a 1986 ski nautique 2001. Maybe someone here can help. Do I use 3/16 or 1/4 flax? I just put new 3/16 in but I am now second guessing it after reading a separate post today.

Thanks.
Treven

Treven,
All have excellent results with the Gortex GFO packing. I'm surprised you can even get the flax packing anymore since it's been outdated for probably 30 years. Maybe you are going to a marina or supply house who wants to dump the old junk on you!

Regarding the size, CC used both. You need to measure between the shaft and packing nut. Slipping a 3/16 or 1/4 drill bit in there works great.

+ 1 on the drill bit I forgot that trick Pete. The packing I bought is from a marine supply for commercial fishermen. It is difficult to remove the old packing. There is a cool tool that looks like a itty-bitty cork screw. I just dug it out with an o ring tool.

LiquorBox wrote: I thought it was called flax lol. I bought the GFO packing, I will have to check the gap. The previous owner had 1/4 in there but it didn't come out so easy, kind if like it was forced.

Of course it doesn't come out easy. The purpose of the gland packing nut is to EXPAND the packing so it runs tight to the inside of the gland and shaft. That what keeps the water out!!

Welcome, Treven.

We bought our 1984 SN2001 last summer and my son and I have been doing all sorts of these maintenance jobs. I ordered both sizes of the packing--it's so cheap when compared to paying someone to do these things for you. I actually forget which size I ended up using, but I wrote good notes and keep them with the leftover packing (I bought plenty).

Something I'm glad we did--starting at the battery, we traced every circuit we could access (but not all of them up under the dash) and disassembled and cleaned every connection. It took my son and I under 2 hours, and it was worth every minute. He's been cleaning things up under the dash, as well.

Another job I thought was worth doing was lapping the prop to the shaft. And I bought a used prop puller, and now I have two (TWO!) spare SN2001 props that I have along (on one of the two boats)--I've learned to be prepared so a vacation doesn't get ruined, if at all possible.

Lots of other good things discussed here at CCF. Labors of love.

Steve

I bought mine from nautiqueparts.com

I got it, You can find it at like 1000 different places online sometimes not even marine specific stores. I haven't found a good source for Gore-Tex yet that I can supply at a sellable price but I love the product.