Packing rope - how tight?
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24920
Printed Date: November-19-2024 at 9:31am
Topic: Packing rope - how tight?
Posted By: rfarkash
Subject: Packing rope - how tight?
Date Posted: February-19-2012 at 1:17am
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How tight should the coupling nut be after packing with new rope? I measured my rudder shaft at 1.25, and inside of nut is 1.75, so used 1/4" rope. Put 4 pieces in, but had to work really hard just to get nut back onto shaft, and then it was very tight even with the nut loose on the shaft. Is this normal or do I need to step down to 3/16 rope? When I tried that, it seemed way too loose, and after wrapping around shaft, seemed loose in the nut when I looked at it.
Other than that, process itself was pretty straightforward. Thanks Ron |
Replies:
Posted By: crobi2
Date Posted: February-19-2012 at 2:54am
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(3/16" is round in shape is used on most Nautiques to 2002. Most Nautiques from 2003 on use 1/4", which is square in shape) - from nautiqueparts.com.
I just did mine with 3/16 on a 2000 year boat and it was pretty tight and did not need much tightening of the nut to keep it from leaking. ------------- C-Rob 2000 SAN |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-19-2012 at 1:13pm
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Ron,
Hand tighten the nut and try it. If it drips too much, tighten again but not to the point where the gland heats up. It pretty much a "trial and error" process. Did you use the Goxtex "almost drippless"? Keep in mind no matter what you used, it must drip since the packing is water lubricated. Have you checked to make sure your prop shaft is straight? If bent, you may never get the packing to seat. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: crobi2
Date Posted: February-19-2012 at 2:16pm
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Pete, I may be wrong but I thought he was asking about Rudder packing. When I just did mine, I did not have to put the nut on tight at all and all leaking ceased.
I don't think he's doing the prop shaft packing gland. ------------- C-Rob 2000 SAN |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-19-2012 at 2:25pm
Yup!!  Well, at least he now knows how to do the prop shaft gland!! 
With the rudder port gland, you can tighten it pretty tight since it's not constantly rotating. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
crobi2 wrote:Posted By: rfarkash
Date Posted: February-19-2012 at 3:10pm
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You're both right. I'm actually doing both as part of my winter maintenance to "new to me" 1989. I'm actually not asking about how tight to tighten the nut, but if the packing rope I have is the right size. When the nut is NOT engaged to the stuffing box (i.e free to rotate on the shaft before engaging), there is still significant drag on the shaft (rope is engaging). Does this mean I need to use 3/16 instead of 1/4".
And Pete, prop shaft is in good shape. Planning on putting coupler back on tonight so wife can help with the cooking in oven :). Does the key go on before the coupler, or does it get pounded in after coupler is already on? Thanks Ron |
Posted By: crobi2
Date Posted: February-19-2012 at 3:12pm
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Since it is before 2002, I think it should be both 3/16" for the rudder and for the prop shaft packing gland.
Since I used A.R.E. I am not sure about the keyway, but I bet you should have it on before/as you are fitting the coupling. ------------- C-Rob 2000 SAN |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-19-2012 at 5:35pm
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Ron,
Partially (hanging over the end of the shaft) put the key on the shaft. This will orient the coupling to the shaft/key/keyway. It should then slide on fully with the coupling. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: rfarkash
Date Posted: February-20-2012 at 10:22pm
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Ok, going to order some more 3/16th packing and see how that works.
Checking the coupler face and re-assembling tonight, will let you know how it went tomorrow. THanks Ron |
Posted By: Keeganino
Date Posted: February-21-2012 at 12:32am
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When I did mine the new stuff seemed tight, but once you get it broken in a bit everything settles into place. Like Pete said, just be prepared to tinker with it a bit when you get back out on the water to get it dialed.
------------- "working on these old boats may not be cost effective but as it shows its what it brings into your life that matters" -Roger http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4897" rel="nofollow - 1973 Skier |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-21-2012 at 9:01am
Did you take a face cut off the coupling like I suggested in the "coupling removal" thread? What are you getting with the feeler gauges? ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |