f28 packing

yzf195 · Post by **yzf195** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:02 am

Some one please help me i have a 1978 f28 with twin 318's with v drives and would like to know can i change the packing on the shaft with the boat in the water and if so what is involved? thanks in advance Keith

Rodman · Post by **Rodman** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:09 am

This may help you.

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/stuffing_box

foofer b · Post by **foofer b** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 1:12 pm

I believe the shaft has to be uncoupled from the engine and pulled out partially removed . I don't think you can do it in the water. Do you have a trailer to put it on or a marina nearby? Is your packing leaking? Tried to tighten it ?

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 1:27 pm

I have seen it done where the nut was removed and slid up the shaft which allowed water to flow in freely into the boat until a rag could be tucked into the shaft log around the shaft. The rag slowed the flow to a light trickle while the packing was replaced in the nut. The rag was then removed and the nut put back into place quickly. The bilge pump had the boat dry again within a few minutes.

Although this method works, I personally prefer to haul the boat out to replace a packing. This allows you the oportunity to inspect the shaft where the seal rides.

Jersdevil · Post by **Jersdevil** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 1:39 pm

I agree do it on the hard...Murphey's Law prevails.

We did ours on the hard last spring.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 2:43 pm

One more thing that you might consider, if you plan on keeping the boat for a while, is a mechanical shaft seal. I installed a LasDrop shaft seal in mine in 2000 and have had a dry bilge (except when I wash it) ever since with no maintenance. They are a little pricey though so if you plan on selling the boat in a few years, you're probably better off to replace the packing.

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 2:52 pm

Will be testing this version of almost dry packing this year...
http://www.e-marine-inc.com/products/gf ... ml#measure

Rodman · Post by **Rodman** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 3:27 pm

ready123 wrote:Will be testing this version of almost dry packing this year...
http://www.e-marine-inc.com/products/gf ... ml#measure

That`s what I bought and put in mine.

foofer b · Post by **foofer b** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 7:55 pm

Rodman, did it leak?

Rodman · Post by **Rodman** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 8:40 pm

foofer b wrote:Rodman, did it leak?

wasnt looking with the trouble i had i will look this weekend when I do another run.

foofer b · Post by **foofer b** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 8:49 pm

So Whaddya say, Silver Glenn Springs in two weeks?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 9:15 pm

ready123 wrote:Will be testing this version of almost dry packing this year...
http://www.e-marine-inc.com/products/gf ... ml#measure

Good stuff holds up well .

I do mine in the water , I don't see why one would unbolt the shaft .

If you have never done it in the water don't panic when the water flows in

wowzer52 · Post by **wowzer52** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 9:55 pm

Prowlerfish, you did yours in the water but you don't panic about anything. After hearing some of the stories I think you must be part dolphin.

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:36 pm

If you think about it the clearance between shaft and box is not that large, also it is not that far under water so small head of water, it does not gush in as you seem to think it would...... no need for a fire pump.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:36 am

wowzer52 wrote:Prowlerfish, you did yours in the water but you don't panic about anything. After hearing some of the stories I think you must be part dolphin.

Part nut and part crazy