Anonymous
01-17-2003, 01:46 AM
Hello everyone, Does anyone have a dripless stuffing box? I'd like to replace my original stuffing box with a dripless type. What brands are the best and how hard is installation? Also, what diameter is the sharft and shaft log on a 1988 26' Shamrock with a 351 gas engine?
Regards
Randy
Date: 12:38 p.m. on 12-14-2000
SCREAMINEAGLE
normal member in standard member. 2. Re:Dripless Stuffing Boxes
I dont have personal experiance with them, but everything I have heard is bad. I'm sticking with my packing. Craig
Date: 05:36 p.m. on 12-15-2000
Leprechaun
premium member in standard member. 4. Re:Dripless Stuffing Boxes
Power Boat Reports did a fine analysis/evaluation of these devices recently. They seemed to like certain ones, can't remember which brand came out on top. I feel the main problem with them is that the "Better" ones, or rather the ones intended for higher-speed - 12kts+ - depend on the injection of cooling water into the seal joint via a small vinyl tube. If this tube freezes in cold weather or just plain clogs up, you've got big problems. For my money, I'll just keep changing the packing every few years. And for what its worth, I've switched over to the Teflon-impregnated packing - apparently, this can be tightened down a bit more than the plain cotton packing. NO drips coming out of my box for 2 seasons, at rest or even while underway, yet the shaft seems plenty loose (or rotationally free) in the gland. With this type of service who needs a dripless shaft log? Regards, Leprechaun
Date: 06:05 p.m. on 12-15-2000
Irish Wake
5. Re:Re:Dripless Stuffing Boxes
Lep, hello, what size packing do you use (thickness)
Regards
Randy
Date: 06:42 p.m. on 12-15-2000
Leprechaun
premium member in standard member. 6. Re:Dripless Stuffing Boxes
Frankly I forget if its the 1/4" or 5/16" size. When you pick your old stuffing out of the gland and bring it to the Marine Supply store, the correct size will be obvious. Wonder if the stuffing in the rudder gland is the same size. Have to do mine this Winter after only 13 years service. By the way - if you want to be truely cutting-edge, give the new Gore-Tex packing a try. Supposed to be near-lifetime service and G.T. says no drips either. Leprechaun
Date: 04:01 p.m. on 12-16-2000
Miles offshore
7. Re:Re:Re:Dripless Stuffing Boxes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Irish Wake (12-15-2000 06:42 p.m.):
Lep, hello, what size packing do you use (thickness)
Regards
Randy
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm with you lep- my packing does not leak at all and hasnt for over a year now and everything is loose also.On the seacraft and my old mako i/bs the rudder box has been the same as the shaft box. craig
Date: 07:14 p.m. on 12-16-2000
Capt Tom
normal member in standard member. 8. Re:Dripless Stuffing Boxes
My 200 219 W/A had one installed when I bought it. I don't think I would have ordered one and so far I have had no trouble with it. I put about 100 hrs on the boat (mostly offshore) last season with no leaks. The cooling tube is a small tube and I guess it would create a problem if it clogs up. I will let you know how it holds up.
Tom
Regards
Randy
Date: 12:38 p.m. on 12-14-2000
SCREAMINEAGLE
normal member in standard member. 2. Re:Dripless Stuffing Boxes
I dont have personal experiance with them, but everything I have heard is bad. I'm sticking with my packing. Craig
Date: 05:36 p.m. on 12-15-2000
Leprechaun
premium member in standard member. 4. Re:Dripless Stuffing Boxes
Power Boat Reports did a fine analysis/evaluation of these devices recently. They seemed to like certain ones, can't remember which brand came out on top. I feel the main problem with them is that the "Better" ones, or rather the ones intended for higher-speed - 12kts+ - depend on the injection of cooling water into the seal joint via a small vinyl tube. If this tube freezes in cold weather or just plain clogs up, you've got big problems. For my money, I'll just keep changing the packing every few years. And for what its worth, I've switched over to the Teflon-impregnated packing - apparently, this can be tightened down a bit more than the plain cotton packing. NO drips coming out of my box for 2 seasons, at rest or even while underway, yet the shaft seems plenty loose (or rotationally free) in the gland. With this type of service who needs a dripless shaft log? Regards, Leprechaun
Date: 06:05 p.m. on 12-15-2000
Irish Wake
5. Re:Re:Dripless Stuffing Boxes
Lep, hello, what size packing do you use (thickness)
Regards
Randy
Date: 06:42 p.m. on 12-15-2000
Leprechaun
premium member in standard member. 6. Re:Dripless Stuffing Boxes
Frankly I forget if its the 1/4" or 5/16" size. When you pick your old stuffing out of the gland and bring it to the Marine Supply store, the correct size will be obvious. Wonder if the stuffing in the rudder gland is the same size. Have to do mine this Winter after only 13 years service. By the way - if you want to be truely cutting-edge, give the new Gore-Tex packing a try. Supposed to be near-lifetime service and G.T. says no drips either. Leprechaun
Date: 04:01 p.m. on 12-16-2000
Miles offshore
7. Re:Re:Re:Dripless Stuffing Boxes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Irish Wake (12-15-2000 06:42 p.m.):
Lep, hello, what size packing do you use (thickness)
Regards
Randy
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm with you lep- my packing does not leak at all and hasnt for over a year now and everything is loose also.On the seacraft and my old mako i/bs the rudder box has been the same as the shaft box. craig
Date: 07:14 p.m. on 12-16-2000
Capt Tom
normal member in standard member. 8. Re:Dripless Stuffing Boxes
My 200 219 W/A had one installed when I bought it. I don't think I would have ordered one and so far I have had no trouble with it. I put about 100 hrs on the boat (mostly offshore) last season with no leaks. The cooling tube is a small tube and I guess it would create a problem if it clogs up. I will let you know how it holds up.
Tom