Stuffing Box Reassembly Q...

[CLucas]

Each year since owning Grey Goose (this is our fourth season with her), there have been a number of items that seem to get postponed on my commissioning list -- repacking the stuffing box being one of them. Being over 6' tall makes gaining access a daunting feat, but I was determined to get 'er done this year and magically made myself reeeally small and tackle the job. Some PB Blaster, patience and a couple taps with a hammer allowed me to loosen the packing nut and lock nut. I successfully picked out the old flax packing using a drywall screw which I screwed in at an angle and then pulled out using vicegrips. I'm replacing with some Gore GFO packing, but have a question regarding reassembly...

Looking ahead, in an effort to avoid the difficulty I ran into loosening the locknut, I want to prepare the threads properly. I'll clean up the threads nicely, but what about using Lanocote or an anti-seize product to keep things happy?

BTW, this job was about 20X easier than I thought it would be, thanks in part to Mainesail's *excellent* guide: Re-Packing A Traditional Stuffing Box Photo Gallery by Compass Marine at pbase.com

[scottyt]

you might need to be careful what you use for galvanic reasons. i would think lanacoat would be fine, i think...

[CLucas]

Originally Posted by scottyt

you might need to be careful what you use for galvanic reasons. i would think lanacoat would be fine, i think...

I believe Lanocote would help prevent any galvanic corrosion issues and it *seems* right for this purpose. I'm just looking for confirmation or other recommendations from the resident experts here.

Other thoughts?

[scottyt]

i agree the lanacoat will help stop it, but what i was referring too was anti seize normally has aluminum or tin powder in it and it might cause a galvanic problem.

[CLucas]

Originally Posted by scottyt

i agree the lanacoat will help stop it, but what i was referring too was anti seize normally has aluminum or tin powder in it and it might cause a galvanic problem.

Didn't know that! (...which is exactly why I raised the question) Thanks for your insight.

Chris

[roline]

McLube Sailcote is a hi performance dry lubricant that will help protect the threads and lower friction.

[CLucas]

Originally Posted by roline

McLube Sailcote is a hi performance dry lubricant that will help protect the threads and lower friction.

Thanks. McLube Sailcote is a great product and is terrific in sail tracks, headsail foils and a lot of other places, but I'm not certain this is right application. I'm looking to prevent the stuffing nut and locknut from seizing -- apart from minor adjustments, I shouldn't have to touch the stuffing box for a few years. Sailcote would definitely lower friction, but a dry lubricant isn't going to do the job I need it to do over the long haul and won't survive in that environment.

For now, I think I'm going to go with Lanocote.

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by CLucas

Thanks. McLube Sailcote is a great product and is terrific in sail tracks, headsail foils and a lot of other places, but I'm not certain this is right application. I'm looking to prevent the stuffing nut and locknut from seizing -- apart from minor adjustments, I shouldn't have to touch the stuffing box for a few years. Sailcote would definitely lower friction, but a dry lubricant isn't going to do the job I need it to do over the long haul and won't survive in that environment.

For now, I think I'm going to go with Lanocote.

Personally I would clean them with a brass brush, put them together, and only after final adjustment when the nuts have been locked against each other would I coat the whole kit & caboodle with Lanocote using an acid brush.

Coat it after not before. There are some things I do lube but stuffing box threads are not one of them..

Having seen the results of a stuffing box nut that spun off the shaft when put into reverse I prefer to not lube the big nut or the little nut or the threads before tightening. I have also never seen a stuffing box I could not break the nuts free on no matter how green with verdigris.

Coating it after its tight will still minimize corrosion/verdigris..

[CLucas]

Originally Posted by Maine Sail

Personally I would clean them with a brass brush, put them together, and only after final adjustment when the nuts have been locked against each other would I coat the whole kit & caboodle with Lanocote using an acid brush.

Coat it after not before.

Great thoughts, thanks.

Originally Posted by Maine Sail

Having seen the results of a stuffing box nut that spun off the shaft when put into reverse I prefer to not lube the big nut or the little nut or the threads before tightening.

Yeah, that would kind of spoil the fun.