Cleaning out the stuffing box -- help needed

[pegasus1457]

The stuffing box on my "new" 1980 Pearson was leaking like a sieve. So,
after hauling her, I disassembled the SB with the advice of halekai. I cleaned up the shaft and tried to remove the existing packing with a homemade tool fashioned from a screwdriver, and then with a corkscrew-like tool made for this chore (McMaster-Carr). I am unable to get any material to come out.

I concluded (in error, it seems) that there was nothing left in the cap, I inserted new GTU teflon-based material. I was only able to get 2 wraps into the cap before it wouldn't accept any more.

Halekai tells me that there must be something still there -- there should be room for 3 wraps. I believe him.

But I have run out of ideas as to how to clean out this SB. If I can't get the crud out that is in there, the only thing I can think of is to disconnect the shaft from the tranny coupling and remove the cap from the shaft so that I can access it easily.

Does anyone have any ideas for a magic bullet to get the old packing material out before I go to this extreme?

[AjariBonten]

Yes, there should be three rings.

I used a tool with a hook on the end, kind of like a dental pick; but I can't think of where I got it.

Bend over a fine tool of some sort into a hook?

[AjariBonten]

By your description, you tried something like these, right?

http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/4,12102.htm

http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/4,12105.htm


What I used looked a lot like the second set in this picture

http://www.mytoolstore.com/kd/kdspec11.html

[AjariBonten]

Oh, and when you replace the stuffing, align the rings (3) of material so that the cuts do not line up; they should be at something like 2:00, 6:00, and 10:00 if you get my meaning.

[pegasus1457]

Originally Posted by AjariBonten

Oh, and when you replace the stuffing, align the rings (3) of material so that the cuts do not line up; they should be at something like 2:00, 6:00, and 10:00 if you get my meaning.

The alignment part I got right.

My tool was similar to the first link in your post.

But your suggestion of a dental pick is a good one. I actually have one that I used to use to remove tartar from the dog's teeth
I will give it a try.

thanks

[AjariBonten]

Good luck, I hope I helped!

[RXBOT]

The wire cable with corkscrew on the end is the correct tool for removing packing from the stuffing box. They come in different sizes . The gaps were the ends of the packing cometogeather should be staggered, like previous reply said. But the last ring in should have gap at 6 oclock so it's on the bottom. That way it doesn't get flung off the shaft as much when it's turning.

[RXBOT]

The water I mean (drip).

[pigslo]

Use a small mirror to see into the female half of the box.
pigslo

[Vasco]

Pegasus,

I have found it very hard to get three rings in the stuffing box on my CS36M so I turn it down each time I put a ring in, this jams it right in. Put in a ring, turn it down, put another ring in, turn it down, finally put the third ring in. That's the only way I can get three in. And it's still a struggle to get the threads to start. Years ago I used to leave it with two but by turning it down after each ring I can get three in.

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