Rudder Stuffing Box - 350 Mariner

[mjk1040]

Told you Viper would chime in for you. Don't forget to stagger the cut ends. Mike

[Viper]

Mike is correct, stagger the joints. I usually put them at 12, 4, and 8 o'clock. Get all your strands ready by cutting them to size before you start dismantling. You can use the visible portion of the rudder shaft to wrap the packing around for sizing, then make the cut. I prefer cutting at a 45* angle but a straight cut will work too. Make sure the two ends mate tightly. Don't bother cutting on a 45* unless you have a really sharp knife/blade, you'll just end up fraying the ends.

If you're removing the old stuff which is what I recommend if this is the first time you're servicing the packing on this boat, then install 3 strands. Removing what's in there now gives you a starting reference point from which you'll know in the future the age of the packing that's in there. After installing the new stuff, it'll be a matter of snugging/tightening every few years, and when it compresses enough in the future, another strand can be added.

If there is room to lift the packing nut enough to work with/remove the old packing, this can be done in the water. Don't sweat what little water will come in. If there isn't enough room/height, you may have to dismantle more which will require being out of the water or you'll drop the rudder.

[TonyC]

Source of the post Told you Viper would chime in for you. Don't forget to stagger the cut ends. Mike

Got it. Thanks.

[mjk1040]

Mike!!

[TonyC]

Source of the post Mike is correct, stagger the joints. I usually put them at 12, 4, and 8 o'clock. Get all your strands ready by cutting them to size before you start dismantling. You can use the visible portion of the rudder shaft to wrap the packing around for sizing, then make the cut. I prefer cutting at a 45* angle but a straight cut will work too. Make sure the two ends mate tightly. Don't bother cutting on a 45* unless you have a really sharp knife/blade, you'll just end up fraying the ends.

If you're removing the old stuff which is what I recommend if this is the first time you're servicing the packing on this boat, then install 3 strands. Removing what's in there now gives you a starting reference point from which you'll know in the future the age of the packing that's in there. After installing the new stuff, it'll be a matter of snugging/tightening every few years, and when it compresses enough in the future, another strand can be added.

If there is room to lift the packing nut enough to work with/remove the old packing, this can be done in the water. Don't sweat what little water will come in. If there isn't enough room/height, you may have to dismantle more which will require being out of the water or you'll drop the rudder.

Thanks, Viper! Great suggestions. Not sure how much if any stuffing is currently in the Port box. Picture does show a white residue but not sure if it is degraded stuffing or what(?). Anyway, boat is out of the water and in the next couple of weeks will be removing what is in the female end and adding three fresh strands. Will do Starboard side also, just in case.

TonyC

[TonyC]

An update ... I did complete the re-stuffing of the port rudder stuffing box. Talking about a pain in the Gluteus Maximus! Working upside down, no more than 5" of clearance, all actions backwards, in a cramped working area (I'm 6'2") , using a mirror. I did make a tool out of heavy gauge wire to remove the old stuffing. The old stuffing was very compact and removing it took almost 2 hours! I did read that dropping the rudder would allow the stuffing box the be removed with removal of the old stuffing made easier. Should have done this! Putting in the new flax only took 15 minutes. I only did the port side. Figured that if the starboard side should start leaking, I could add a strand for a temporary fix until the boat is pulled in the Fall. I will certainly drop the rudder when replacing the Starboard flax.

Now that the boat is in the water, next chore is changing the transmission fluid. Any hints or suggestions?

[bud37]

Its funny how it looks like there is more room than there is....I used to have a tool for removing packing made out of a very large fishing hook with long shank......I feel your pain, as just finished replacing the water pump on the gen.....same ,mirror,one hand , flashlight, haven't done the rudders yet though.
trans is easy just suck it out from where dipstick is......just put back what you get out and go by the dipstick for the final fill amount....what kind of fluid do you have in there ( colour on the stick)??.....

[TonyC]

Source of the post Its funny how it looks like there is more room than there is....I used to have a tool for removing packing made out of a very large fishing hook with long shank......I feel your pain, as just finished replacing the water pump on the gen.....same ,mirror,one hand , flashlight, haven't done the rudders yet though.
trans is easy just suck it out from where dipstick is......just put back what you get out and go by the dipstick for the final fill amount....what kind of fluid do you have in there ( colour on the stick)??.....

Will be replacing with Dexron III as Dexron II is no longer available. Since the levels for each was questionable when we bought it and I did add to the Port side, simply adding back what I take out won't be as easy. I read in the Velvet Drive Owners Manual that each took about 4 quarts. Sounds like a good start amount. Will run each to warm-up and immediately check levels. Will add and delete as needed.

Tony

[bud37]

If you suck the oil out from the top I doubt you will get all the oil out, maybe.....before you do the change check and note the cold level, then bring trans to temp and check again and note that.......suck out oil and measure what you get......if you get 2quarts out then put back 2 and so on.......bring trans back to temp and check level and adjust,remember all oil added is cold so you will have to bring to temp again and check....after all this ,let trans get cold and check the oil level and mark the stick for a cold level....thats all I got, should work fine for you, this procedure is a little retentive but should cover the bases.

What engine trans combo do you have, make sure it is ok to run trans in gear at dock first if that is something you may be planning.

[TonyC]

Source of the post If you suck the oil out from the top I doubt you will get all the oil out, maybe.....before you do the change check and note the cold level, then bring trans to temp and check again and note that.......suck out oil and measure what you get......if you get 2quarts out then put back 2 and so on.......bring trans back to temp and check level and adjust,remember all oil added is cold so you will have to bring to temp again and check....after all this ,let trans get cold and check the oil level and mark the stick for a cold level....thats all I got, should work fine for you, this procedure is a little retentive but should cover the bases.

What engine trans combo do you have, make sure it is ok to run trans in gear at dock first if that is something you may be planning.

Your suggestions make good sense. Boat has 350 MAGS MPI with Velvet Drive models 10-04/10-05 (can't recall which at the moment). We practice docking in the Spring so warming up the trans will not be a problem. Thanks for feedback!