Recommended wrenches for stuffing box drip adjustment

B

baz

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Jun 19, 2009
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Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Subject: Recommended wrenches for stuffing box drip adjustment

I've discovered I do not have the necessary wrenches for adjusting the drip rate from the stuffing box. What are the recommendations for these two tools ? I have a 2019 R29 CB. Thanks... 🙂
 
Thanks Curt.... just the info I needed. The shortish handles seem to be just the correct length for the limited space getting at the stuffing box nuts. 🙂
 
Hi Baz,
I've been using the same wrenches that Red Raven just mentioned. I recently had my cutless bearing replaced along with the stuffing box packing and have found these to be very useful in adjusting the stuffing box to fine tune the amount of drippage.
 
What size packing do you use? I have a R25SC , not sure if it would be the same.
 
My stuffing box is on a 1.25 inch shaft. I thought the R25 ran the same shaft size. The stuffing box with the packing installed should seal around that size shaft. I'm not sure what size the packing is, I've just had to compress it to ensure it seals properly (3 to 5 drips per min). I do know the new packing that was installed is Teflon impregnated which helps with heat resistance.
v/r Brian
 
Brian B: That is a very good reference article. Thank you. 🙂
 
Kenaithab":17dnzivc said:
Andrew wrote an excellent article with exactly the information you are asking for at the end of this factory bulletin. I wish they did more of these.

https://www.rangertugs.com/Userfiles/Do ... er-2015.pd
Click to expand...

That link does not work.... gives

404 - File or directory not found.
The resource you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.
 
Thanks Bruce.... and yes I figured that out yesterday but for some reason it did not resolve the issue. Your new URL does resolve the issue for me. Thanks again. 🙂 It's an excellent straight forward collection of information for dealing with the stuffing box drip rate issue(s). I have it archived and will be part of my boat's documentation....big thanks to Andrew for this. 😀

I wonder how often this Factory News Bulletin is posted ? The referenced Bulletin is dated 2015!

I will be adjusting the drip rate (currently at around 40 drips per minute with prop shaft stationary) on my new R29 CB NW Edition (some 30 engine hrs at this time) later today, and will follow Andrew's instructions/advice. From my readings it's not unusual for an excessive drip rate on a new boat after a few hours of use such as mine.... the new stuffing material for a new boat simply needs time to adjust.
 
Just as an FYI, I have about 270 hours on the boat and I’m at 5-6 drips/min. I’m thinking about first adjustment. Should I start a drop or two of WD40 on the threads in anticipation?
 
Chimo":3feoln4l said:
Just as an FYI, I have about 270 hours on the boat and I’m at 5-6 drips/min. I’m thinking about first adjustment. Should I start a drop or two of WD40 on the threads in anticipation?
Click to expand...

PB Blaster is a much better penetrating oil than WD-40. I’d give it a liberal dose ahead of time.
 
Chimo":29fcql41 said:
Just as an FYI, I have about 270 hours on the boat and I’m at 5-6 drips/min. I’m thinking about first adjustment. Should I start a drop or two of WD40 on the threads in anticipation?
Click to expand...

Is that "5-6 drips/min" with shaft stationary or rotating ?
 
Barry, I’m sure that a month later you’re all finished with your adjustment. Sorry for the delay in answering, a cruise vacation got in the way. As per Andrew’s instructions, confirmed with a local boat builder, adjustment is with engine running in neutral. That makes sense. I just finished adjusting using the wrenches Curt and Andrew suggested. With nearly 300 hours on the boat, never adjusted, the nuts were a bit tight. A dose of penetrating oil and two 18 inch lengths of pipe over the wrench handles soon freed them. I’m now at a 35 second drip interval and hopefully that lasts another couple of hundred hours.
 
Chimo: I found the easiest way to relieve the stuffing box nut from its locking nut was to loosen the stuffing box nut first... doesn't make sense, but it was what worked for me.

I think it best to go for more drips per minute rather than less, as a decent amount of water is needed for obvious reasons.

I checked drip rate with engine in neutral and when throttle was in its first forward detent position.

So you achieved ~2 DPM with engine in neutral.... what about the DPM when engine in slightly forward throttle position and shaft rotating?

My experience here -- http://www.tugnuts.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13578&p=91195&hilit=drip#p91195
 
I checked my drip rate today and found that the stuffing box drips once every 90 seconds with engine off, and same for when engine running at 700 RPM. I'm apt to leave it at this time as at least some water is getting to the stuffing box along with the forced water injection from the engine's raw water supply via the small 1/2" tube running to the shaft area between the stuffing box and the where the shaft disappears from the inside keel.
 
Thanks Barry, I'm going to leave mine alone at once every 35 seconds. That's nicely in the 1-3 per minute, engine running in neutral window specified by Andrew's instructions.

All the best

David
 
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