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Stuffing Box Hose Blues

12314 Views 57 Replies 16 Participants Last post by Dave_E, May 18, 2014

jimgo

Discussion Starter · Apr 23, 2014

Da na na na na...
Got my stuffing box apart...
da na na na na...
brought it on home...
da na na na na...
got it all cleaned up...
da na na na na...
but now the hose is so tight...

Well it's, so tight baby, I can't get the fitting in...

So now I'm singin' ... singin' the stuffing box blues.

OK, ok, I'll stop. But, seriously, the ID for the Buck Algonquin hose is 1 3/4", and the OD for the fitting (the stuffing box body) is about 1 7/8". That extra 1/8" makes it REALLY tough to get it to fit. I left the heat gun on the boat, so that's not an option. Can I boil some water and let the hose soak in it? What other tips do you have for getting it to fit?

Any tips that would also translate well for when I'm installing this on the boat (which I presume has a similarly over-size fitting) are also appreciated.

Before anyone asks...yes, I have 4 of the hose clamps, not just the 2 in the picture.

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jimrafford

· #31 · Apr 26, 2014

About to start the same project myself. Been procrastinating this project since we purchased 2 summers ago and obviously the boat needs to be hauled. We're hauling out next week for new bottom paint. Going to replace the cutlass bearing while we're at it. As far as I can tell nothing has been done to the stuffing box in a long time. The coupler is a pile of rust. Have been soaking it w/ PB Blaster all winter. Was able to remove all coupler bolts last weekend. Next is cutting the coupler to remove it from the shaft. Good rainy day project.
Jim

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jimrafford

· #32 · Apr 26, 2014 (Edited)

Mission accomplished.
It took longer to set up dust control and fire prevention than to do the job. About an hour w/ 4 1/2" grinder cutting on top of the key way. A few taps on a chisel in the cut and the coupler is off. Much easier than I expected.
Can"t go any farther til I'm on the hard.
Jim

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jimrafford

· #35 · Apr 26, 2014

Made my day.
Don't think I'd want to do the same job in a gas boat. Quite the spark show! Melted the lens on one of my LED lights.
Jim

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jimrafford

· #37 · Apr 26, 2014

Bolts wasn't the issue. The coupler was. I have a coupler flange puller. Not enough room for it. The coupler had to be split. No way around it. I considered cutting w/ a saw but the grinder did a much faster and easier job. Lots of wet towels covering everything helped a bunch.
Jim

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jimrafford

· #54 · May 16, 2014 (Edited)

Took this past week off to do our short haul. New bottom paint and replace the stuffing box, coupler and cutlass bearing. All was going well til the cutlass bearing. While pressing the old bearing out the strut started to fall apart. Crap! Galvanic corrosion. All because the PO got lazy and didn't replace zincs.
Spent the last 2 days getting access to the area where the strut is bolted on. Remove a holding tank. Remove the fuel tank and yes it was full. Ground out 2 of the bolts today. Should be able to get the other 2 tomorrow and then grind out the strut. What a PIA but I'm glad I discovered the problem before the strut failed.

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