Prop Shaft Seal

Pete,

I got the 68 Mustang in the water and was able to make a few laps around the lake. I am keeping her in the water boat slip for few days. I am seeing a lot of water coming on board. Even after I run the bilge pump and come back 7 hours later there will be 5 inches of water back in the bilge.

I suspect that I need check the prop shaft packing, hose and everything in that area. Where do I get the reccomended packing? I have been scouring the post about using a gortex blend? The PO gave me a bag of what looks like wire mesh for plumbing. I think anything he gave me would be wrong based on everything else I have found.

I like the link Hollywood posted. Really good for guys like me!

Thanks for the previous help with the RWP as well. I have it working the way it should now.

Have great 4th of July celebration!

Regards,

Greg

Thanks so much for your help, bubbaskier & 79nautique!!! Got it done! Will see how it "drips" when I drag it to Stonewall Jackson Lake in WV next week. But on the "safety collar", on of the Allen screws is missing, and the other is now totally stripped. Any idea where I could get new safety collar screws?

79nautique wrote: it's called a safty collar, there should be a couple set screws you can loosen and slide it up the shaft further.

Just in case you do not know what a set screw is, they take an "Allen" wrench. If you do not have a set of "allen" wrenches you will need to purchase some.

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...

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?

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!!!

good stuffing box write up

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.

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.

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?

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

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....

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?

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.

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.