Prop Shaft Seal

Ryan

If you cannot get it to slow to 5-6 drips per minute.
Have you tried just tightening down the rudder packing? You can tighten that so it doesn't drip, unlike the shaft packing.
It is cheap and easy enough to do so if you are definitely doing one, just do the other at the same time. You will want to verify the size of both. Will be either 3/16" or 1/4". I use the goretex stuff from DIM, or others. IIRC the Mustang are each different.
You want to stagger the joints, and overwrap it around a dowel or something the same circumference as the respective shafts and then cut at the joint, so the cut is at the same angle, not straight. You will get a better seal that way.

Oh. Yeah, you are going to want to check on that. To do both with goretex, it will cost about $30 total, maybe $35. Once you dig in there, it is really an easy thing to understand and replace. Do not pack the propshaft too tight or it will burn up. Hand tighten, check, adjust accordingly.

Edit: That is a ton of water, you may want to look at your exhaust, etc for leaks. My SN leaked a lot and perhaps would have leaked that much, but one look and you would know. A small hole in the hull will leak a lot too. Found that out in the Mustang.

Ryan,
I think you'll be happy with gortex/teflon packing. It's much better than old school waxed rope. There's a commercial fishing supply on my way to work, I buy a lot of stuff there. If ANY of you guy's want shaft packing I think the 1/4 teflon packing is $3.50 a foot & 3/16 a little cheaper you'll use almost 2 ft.(for the prop shaft) So how about this "deal" E-mail me what size you need and your address I'll pick it up the next day and put it in the mail for a $10- donation to Keith to help keep us together. But you gotta call now cause you know we can't do this all day!

Can anyone describe how to go about removing the rudder to repack it ?
The reason I ask, Im gettin a couple of inches of water in the boat pretty quick while at the dock ? Im guessing I need to tighten somthing down a bit.

I have the Oj dripless in mine and it's brilliant. It's got three seasons use on it and I have never had any problems with it.

The only water that gets in the bilge is either what you bring in on your wet gear or spray. On a flat day if you don't ride the bilge is dry.

Thanks Tomski thats good to know. I know the dripless is more money but it may be better in the long run. On a normal seal how often should you chnge them?

You know I never did check it before we put it up for the winter. I cant believe I didnt do that. Any good ideas to check it without going to the lake? Still a little cold here. Appreciate all the help....

Everything is out right now so I need to get it to the lake and check it out. Thanks

Are you talking about the packing gland for the prop shaft located about a foot behind the transmission? It has a rubber hosed clamped to it? looks simular to the top of the rudder under the gas tank?

Ryan,
Many like yourself are unfamilier with some of the proper parts terms on boats so I suggest posting pictures next time something like this comes up.

Since the packing gland nut is loose, first try tightening it before you do a repack. This must be done in the water so it will get the proper water lubrication. Tighten by hand first then by small increments with a wrench. The packing assembly must not run hot. If it does, then it's too tight. You should see about 3 to 5 drips past the gland every minute. After every adjustment, don't forget to tighten the jam nut under the packing nut. It's ther to prevent rotation of the nut from the prop shaft rotating.

well it's going to be hard to tell but you might want to see if there is actually ay packing in it, since it's loose odds are it's been spit out of the gland all ready.

good stuffing box write up

Hollywood wrote: good stuffing box write up

I am repacking my driveshaft gland and found this very usefull link. Thanks Hollywood you made my life easier. I appreciate all the expert advice this forum has to offer. KUDOS!!!

What tools are required? What size wrenches etc. so I can be sure to have the right tools down at the dock. Also, how do I find out what size packing so I can order it and have it if needed vs. being down for a week?

I love this site! I am trying to replace my drive shaft packing on an 81' Ski Nautique, but there is a ring around the shaft just up from the large nut so i can not move the nut up the shaft to get the old packing out. This ring has a hole through it, I tried to knock the pin out but it won't budge. any ideas? Thanks...