Packing Gland Flax for E38-200

[Kerry Kukucha]

Hello All:

Well, the drips are winning, so it's time to tackle my packing gland this weekend. In reviewing the manual, 1/8th" flax is called for - is this the correct width or should it be 3/16th" per another thread reference (for a 1" shaft)?

Any iput or suggestions will, as always, be greatly appreciated!

many thnx,

 

[Jon Anton]

My manual calls for the same, which is not correct.
I have a 1" shaft on our 32-200, and that needs 1/4" packing. Just hauled and repacked. No big deal.
There are some other good threads on this, as well.
Fair winds.

Jon Berge

 

[Tom Metzger]

It doesn't matter what the manual or anyone else may have. You have to measure your own to be sure.

FWIW, mine is 1/8" on a one inch shaft.

 

[Kerry Kukucha]

Success!- Argh!

Well, what an adventure!

Used a drill mounted wire brush wheel to clean off the lock nut & female packing nut, & a liberal dabbing of PB Blaster to loosen things. No effort at all & the nuts were spinning. Backed off the lock nut as far as it would go (all of 1.5") & the moved the packing nut in the opposite direction (all of 3/4") & exposed what appeared to be the 3 pieces of 1/8" flax, per the Ericson manual.....WRONG!

Turns out that the 1"shaft had 1/4" flax (fortunately, I had bought 1/8, 3/16 & 1/4") & I was actually looking at one of three. With great effort & frustation with the minimal working room, was able to extract two pieces & took the advice of a dock mate who said there would be no harm in leaving the transmission side 3rd piece intact. Over the course of > 1hour, the water flow wasn't too bad (only had to run the bilge pump a few times).

Installed the new 1/4" flax & tighted everything up - sea trial tomorrow!