Trouble with Packings

[Bankerbiz87]

We replaced packing sit was going good but now getting to much water, how much water should trickle from the shafts? The screws seem to come loose should we use nylon screws? 1982 Carver with two 220 Crusaders Thank you

[km1125]

These are for the prop shafts or rudder shafts??

There should be a drip every 5-6 seconds when running if they are adjusted right. (that's for prop shafts, the rudder shafts should not leak at all)

What screws are you talking about? There are usually just two big nuts.. the packing one and the locking one.

[Viper]

There is a type that uses two bolts:
https://www.deepblueyachtsupply.com/00sls125g-shaft-logs-square-base-complete-assembly

[mjk1040]

Bankerbiz, send a picture. Jamming the 2 nuts to the plate should hold it in place. May have to replace the studs and nuts due to rust maybe. Did u use the right size packing?

[km1125]

Qr Bbpost There is a type that uses two bolts:
https://www.deepblueyachtsupply.com/00sls125g-shaft-logs-square-base-complete-assembly

Interesting! I've never seen one of those before. Is there any advantage to something like that?

To the OP's question about whether to replace the bolts with plastic..... IMO, NO! I would not want a plastic bolt holding something like that in place. Those look like bronze bolts, so I would not think that corrosion would be an issue.

[Viper]

Don't know what type is being used here but the one I posted is the only type I can recall that uses bolts. There is a similar type that threads in, and a cotter pin is inserted where the bolts are to prevent the assembly from spinning/unthreading and backing off.

No, I would not use a plastic bolt. A picture would really help. After replacing packing and the initial tightening (not too much), you must take the vessel out for a run and allow the packing to take shape with the shaft spinning, then inspect the drip and re-tighten accordingly (not too much!) as it's likely it will leak more after the first run. You may have to do this after the first couple of runs. If the packing material is old, it won't matter how much you tighten it, it will likely never stop leaking and should be replaced. Don't tighten the packing too much at once or you'll overheat the log and shaft possibly damaging both. A drip every few minutes is normal, and more often when under way. Water lubricates, if you prevent it from leaking completely, you will have a failure eventually.

[bud37]

Maybe he means a nyloc type nut, we had the two stud packing system on pump shafts and it is very important to adjust each side as evenly as possible or they will leak excessively no matter what, they can be double nutted to lock in place if desired or have enough room for the second nut.