Ford Wrench ???

I used a large cresent wrench and a large pair of chanel locks.

I've used a combination of a BIG cresent wrench, big channel locks and a pipe wrench. The best I've found is two pipe wrenches. I bet the chewed up nut is the result of too small a pair of channel locks.

How about using an adjustable slip nut wrench.

http://www.idealtruevalue.com/servlet/the-55343/Detail

how fancy do you want to get dave? That's if you want to make a special purpose built tool?

I could say all kinds of things about jbear's post but for the sake of good taste I will not.

My packing nut is only hand tight - go figure.

what size is the does the hex have to be?

        Mike

basicly what you need are two tools or a tool that does both. One a mini pipe wrench to hold the collar and another ractheting type wrench for the packing nut. Let me take a look at the packing gland on the old hull at my friends house I'm heading there today anyway and I thing it's still there an hasn't been striped off of it already. Now Dave you might have to pay royalities or buy the design if your going to patten it and ma$$ produce it, that is if you like the design I come up with haven't design anything in a couple months so that while be a good fresher coarse for board work since I don't have a cadd package to use and hate autocad lite.

Buy the royalties or patents to what Chris? I'm not sure I follow you.. Our tool division makes millions of open ended box wrenches. There is no protection on design of an open ended wrench.. Isn't that all we need to do here (well that is if CC used like size packing nuts over the years). Why the need for an adjustable wrench at all, they just chew up the bra$$... Hell these wrenches don't even need to be forged and heat treated, I can make a stamped steel, zinc plated wrench to perform the function of snugging up the packing and jam nut. Tensil strength really isn't needed here right?..

Morfoot, Thanks for the reference on the "Ford" wrench.. @$26 bucks for one, I'd be able to see you a set of 5 open end wrenches.. Again, isn't that utopia here? (using a wrench made to the correct OD of the nut)? Something simple, inexpensive, etc...

Moj'

I recently switched to the "gortex" packing from DIM. Hand tight and no drips or heat. I gotta agree w/ 79, it doesnt need that much pressure on the jam nut to snug down the hand tight packing nut. Is anyone putting the safety wire back on? Big channel locks and a pipe wrench works for me.

I googled "Ford wrench"...that's a monkey wrench!
You could make a fixed size stamped steel wrench but I doubt you would sell many. You've got a limited market. Plus, I don't know but I would guess the nuts are larger on the 1-1/8" dia shaft compared to the 1".
With that said, it would definately be cheaper for someone that does not have pipe wrenches or large channel locks lying around. Maybe in addition to selling them to DIM and the like, you could sell them to Correct Craft and other inboard manufactures to include in a kit. Maybe instead of stamped steel you could make the wrenches out of polypropylene or something along those lines. You can mold the tool to the right thickness so that it slips off the nut at the right torque to prevent over-tightening.
I still wouldn't buy one, I'm happy with two pipe wrenches. And I second the Gortex packing and will eventually switch to a drippless seal. Just my thoughts.

Try tapping the little nut on the edge first with a hammer to knock it loose before you go wrenching, I have used that method to budge mine that were corroded from salt water, then I just use channel lucks, the Jersey has 2” shafts so must other wrenches would not fit. I eventually got tired of drippy logs and water in the bilges and replaced with PYI’s PSS.   Jerry

I bought 2 of the adjustable packing gland wrenches from West Marine about 6 years ago and use them all the time on customer's boats. They work FANTASTIC! Everyone should have a couple in their tool boxes. They make a sometimes frustrating job go rather easy. I throw them in my small tool box and go to the lake and adjust the packing on the water. Once the drips stop. I come back to the shop and safety wire the nuts together with stainless safety wire.

Thanks for all the info.. I'll Check out what West Marine has.. I was just looking to see if someone actually made a wench for this specific purpose..

Moj'

88,
Website is: www.westmarine.com

Randy_in_Ohio wrote: But at $13.00 each + shipping, I'm going to continue to use my big adjustable wrench and big chanel locks. worked good for me before, just have to be carefull

Oh come on Randy. We're talking about the chance to buy a new tool for no other reason than because we can. Go for it. BKH