The stuffing box on my 1974 Sabre 28-1 with its 1974 A4 needs to either have the packing redone or tightened. I have no idea the last time it was done as this is my 4th season with the boat. It's dripping a drop every second when the shaft is turning and less often when the shaft is not turning!
Access is very difficult through the starboard lazarette as some of you might know so I asked the yard to repack it. "Sure", they said about an hour to do it and then an adjustment when the boat goes back in. BUT, after seeing it, the mechanic said there wasn't enough room between the nut and the coupling to move the big nut far enough to pick out the stuffing, repack and retighten. Sure enough, the frighteningly rusted coupling with set screw is an inch or less away from the big nut.
Assuming they can get the set screw out and the shaft out of the coupling, my options appear to be:
1. Disconnect the coupling and pull the 7/8" shaft back
2. Disconnect the coupling and pull the A4
3. Just try and tighten the thin jamb nut and then see what's doing when she splashes.
What are the chances of getting the shaft out without damage and the coupling off with out damaging the engine output plate?
Option 1. Would allow replacing the hose with a thicker walled hose and better hose clamps. Maybe shorten the hose so that there is more room next time. The cutlass bearing is OK so we wouldn't pull the shaft all the way out unless it's grooved beyond repair. Any downside to this?
Option 2. Would allow me much better temporary access to the engine so that I could more easily replace the coupling and perform some maintenance and even paint her. I love working on my A4. This would also let me replace the engine mounts which I can't even see they are so short or compressed. My concern is that with new mounts, the engine would be too high and would never align properly again, or is there enough play in the cutlass and shaft log? There is no room to move the engine forward.
Option 3. Would appear to be the easiest although should I worry about scoring the shaft? Also, this maintains the status quo with the coupling and mounts and I wouldn't have better temporary access to the engine.
Sorry for being so long-winded. Any comments, observations or suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks,
Ira
Morning Star 2 28-1 #104
Access is very difficult through the starboard lazarette as some of you might know so I asked the yard to repack it. "Sure", they said about an hour to do it and then an adjustment when the boat goes back in. BUT, after seeing it, the mechanic said there wasn't enough room between the nut and the coupling to move the big nut far enough to pick out the stuffing, repack and retighten. Sure enough, the frighteningly rusted coupling with set screw is an inch or less away from the big nut.
Assuming they can get the set screw out and the shaft out of the coupling, my options appear to be:
1. Disconnect the coupling and pull the 7/8" shaft back
2. Disconnect the coupling and pull the A4
3. Just try and tighten the thin jamb nut and then see what's doing when she splashes.
What are the chances of getting the shaft out without damage and the coupling off with out damaging the engine output plate?
Option 1. Would allow replacing the hose with a thicker walled hose and better hose clamps. Maybe shorten the hose so that there is more room next time. The cutlass bearing is OK so we wouldn't pull the shaft all the way out unless it's grooved beyond repair. Any downside to this?
Option 2. Would allow me much better temporary access to the engine so that I could more easily replace the coupling and perform some maintenance and even paint her. I love working on my A4. This would also let me replace the engine mounts which I can't even see they are so short or compressed. My concern is that with new mounts, the engine would be too high and would never align properly again, or is there enough play in the cutlass and shaft log? There is no room to move the engine forward.
Option 3. Would appear to be the easiest although should I worry about scoring the shaft? Also, this maintains the status quo with the coupling and mounts and I wouldn't have better temporary access to the engine.
Sorry for being so long-winded. Any comments, observations or suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks,
Ira
Morning Star 2 28-1 #104
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