More running gear questions...

[brettportzer]

After I pulled off my prop coupler, I was able to remove the packing nut entirely, and have a look inside.

I used the GFO stuff, and had it adjusted pretty well, would not have wanted to make it any tighter.

In any case, I feel like I would want to have it hanging onto more than three threads...

Would it be ok to only use two pieces instead of 3?

Pics attached...

 

[Captain Ralph]

I would lean to keeping as is and not over tighten. Those 3 threads looks pretty good.
Packing wraps look good also.

I fear a lil more tension per wrap may be required (on the remaining 2 wraps) to keep all dry. This may also accelerate the wear on the remaining wraps.

If you remove a piece (keep it in a zip-lock baggie) and it does not work out, you can easily ad the same wrap back in.

Don't forget to grease up all when re-assembling.

 

[bostonhatteras]

The primary reason I ditched the traditional stuffing boxes was that my shafts had corrosion on the area the packings compressed upon. The corrosion wouldn't allow any amount of tightening to stop the leaking because as the shaft turned the corrosion on the shaft surface effectively created a path for the water to travel by the packing. I learned for packing material to work, the shaft must be perfectly smooth and round.