GFO packing

[Kathy L]

O.K. How hot is hot? New boxes with gfo, hand tight, small drips, tighten some more, run, no more drips, hot to the touch, back off a little, more drips, tighten again???? Where do I stop?

 

[MikeP]

Good Question - I had exactly the same problem. I determined that I didn't follow the instructions properly and tightened too much initially. Although I havent done it yet, I plan to remove and reinstall new GFO and precisely follow the instructions.

However...this stuff sounds interesting: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...p free packing/All_2/mode+matchallpartial/0/0

 

[Genesis]

You have to run it in for a couple of hours before tightening originally, and it will drip during that time.

 

[Banshee36]

FYI,
Do get the adjustment right. I ruined a shaft because it was to tight.
JW

 

[Nonchalant1]

Tom,

How hot is if it feels uncomfortable to put your hand on the packing gland, it's too hot. Done right, it hardly even gets warm. You may be able to back way off on the nuts, get water dripping through, run it hard and then readjust to barely dripping and not hot.

If that doesn't work, you may have to pull it out and start over, probably with new GFO. It should be dripping steadily after 1st installation and for an hour or two while you run it in, then adjust slowly to a few drips per minute, while running, then run it again and watch. Tighten slowly until it almost stops dripping. GFO is tricky stuff in that it seats itself when it is first run and if it's too tight to start, it seats itesle too tight and can't be "uncompacted" successfully.

Good luck,

Doug

 

[REBrueckner]

Banshee: How can GFO ruin a shaft?? What should we avoid that c aused this??

 

[ELECTRA VI]

Banshee, I would like to know too! I am planning on installing GFO this spring when I haul out for a new bottom job.
ELECTRA VI/George

 

[Banshee36]

Before My repower, I had 8.2 Detroits. Neddles to say getting to the stuffing boxes were a major PITA. I had the engines apart, changing heads, and I put the gore super packing in. I followed the instructions, thought I adjusted them proper, just a little dripping then it stopped. I ran it that way for 3 years. One side was fine and I am still using the shaft today, however the other side had a wear marks in it. It could have been caused by an earlier packing job, motor mis alignment, But i swear I thought I adjusted everything properly. I switched to the Dripless stuffing boxes and was informed the shaft was to damaged and had to replace it to the tune of $618.00 American dollars., The side that was damaged was the hard one to get to , So I just well enough alone. Follow the instructions and break in and i do not think you will have any problems. I think the rule of thumb is if you cannot hold your hand on the packing glands that is not right..
For what its worth I am going on my 5th season with the dripless Glands and I cannot praise them enough.

JW

 

[Kathy L]

Talked to Gore-Tex today. They said GFO transfers heat from the shafts to the box. More heat at the stuffing box is normal. Run for 10 hours, adjust to 1 to 2 drips p/m. We'll see!!