Pearson 30- stuffing box packing size?

[BubbleheadMd]

Standard configuration P30 with the A4 engine. Anyone know what size packing to use for the stuffing box? 3/16 or 1/4?

The old flax packing disintegrated upon removal:


Thanks!

[CalebD]

Bubbles,
Packing thickness is usually based upon shaft size. On my old 1967 Tartan 27' with an A4 the shaft is 1" and I'm pretty sure I used 1/4" packing material in there. I remember buying 3 different thicknesses just to have it covered. Welcome to the A4 community BTW; great engines if you don't mind getting your finger nails really dirty.

Hint: I only got 2 layers of 1/4" packing into our stuffing box about 6 years ago. If I had used 3/16" I might have got the recommended 3 layers of packing material. Compression from the packing nut helps to reduce the drip and compress the strips of packing.
Any racing yet on your new P30'? Pics?

[BubbleheadMd]

Lol...no racing yet Caleb, I haven't even launched her! Stay tuned though, it won't be long.

[CalebD]

How is your A4 engine BTW? Well maintained I hope.
You have probably already been over to the Moyer Marine forums: Moyer Marine Atomic 4 Community - Home of the Afourians - Powered by vBulletin

[Tynesider]

Originally Posted by BubbleheadMd

Standard configuration P30 with the A4 engine. Anyone know what size packing to use for the stuffing box? 3/16 or 1/4?
Thanks!

If yours looks like this one on a 1" dia shaft then it is 1/4" thick
Mike

[BubbleheadMd]

Originally Posted by CalebD

How is your A4 engine BTW? Well maintained I hope.
You have probably already been over to the Moyer Marine forums: Moyer Marine Atomic 4 Community - Home of the Afourians - Powered by vBulletin

Yes, I've seen you over on the Moyer forum. Mostly, I'm just reading over there, haven't had a need to post yet.

My A-4 seems to be in fantastic shape. It sat for one year, and fired up at the first bump of the starter button when the owner demonstrated it for me. Shifted well too. We filled a 5 gallon bucket for it to drink from, since the boat is on the hard. It has an electric fuel pump, and the owner left a complete tune-up kit for it, a waterpump greasing kit, and a thermostat.

I finished the stuffing box yesterday, using MaineSail's tutorial, and Don Casey's website. I was able to get 3 rings of packing into the nut. I used the Goretex stuffing.

It wasn't especially difficult, but I'll still be nervous until I launch and actually see how much water comes in.

[captbillc]

the goretex is great packing. since i put it in i haven't had to tighten it any. the shaft runs cool with very little drip & none when it is stopped. 1/4 " packing on the 1" shaft

[nickmerc]

If your engine does not already have it, I suggest getting the electronic ignition kit from Moyer. It only costs what two sets of points and condenser do and there is almost no maintenance with it. I also found my engine runs more smoothly.

[BubbleheadMd]

Thanks, Nick. That is definitely on my to-do list.