Jbear
Senior Member
Yep, like the title implies I have a problem!
So I launched after being on the hard last weekend and doing some repairs.
1. Removed and replaced propeller.
2. Removed and cleaned, then replaced prop shaft.
3. Removed, cleaned, installed new stuffing box hose, installed new PTFE packing, and reinstalled stuffing box assembly.
4. Aligned prop shaft.
When driving back at 1000RPMS I noticed the stuffing box was moving. It did not do this before. There was also the expected and associated vibration.
When I put it in neutral but still had way on I looked and the shaft was spinning but there was NO movement in the stuffing box.
My thoughts:
I screwed up the alignment to the motor.
The prop is too big and causing the shaft to wobble.
It was difficult to figure out how to align everything. I read several posts and spoke with friends that have done this before. The problem was is the shaft is about 15' or longer.
With it installed through the cutlass bearing and then into the coupler that was seated on the tail shaft the "droop" was such that it was laying in the bottom of the stern tube where it entered the hull. Note that I had the stuffing box pulled forward at that time so it was not helping support the shaft.
I had read that the stuffing box does help support the shaft so I installed the stuffing box but still had enough droop (the shaft goes another 7' to the coupler) that the shaft was 1.5" ?? down from the tail shaft of the tranny.
I put the coupler "ring" ( the piece you can slide into the tail shaft to hold it while putting in bolts, etc.) and lightly snugged down the bolts. I was able to align the shaft to within .003 and thought that would be fine. Apparently NOT fine.
I may have to hire this in and watch how this is done. I am going to run this by everyone this morning as I am going through Bob Smiths class here at Trawlerfest. I really appreciate any constructive ideas. I have already beat myself up and said what an idiot I am so I am good on that front!
As a side not, I just motored at about 800RPMS keeping the wobble to a very minimum and made sure plenty of "drips" we're coming out so I didn't seize the stuffing box. It was a beautiful day and enjoyable drive to the slip other than that. The wife did a great job on the bottom paint! At least one of us is competent....
Jeff
So I launched after being on the hard last weekend and doing some repairs.
1. Removed and replaced propeller.
2. Removed and cleaned, then replaced prop shaft.
3. Removed, cleaned, installed new stuffing box hose, installed new PTFE packing, and reinstalled stuffing box assembly.
4. Aligned prop shaft.
When driving back at 1000RPMS I noticed the stuffing box was moving. It did not do this before. There was also the expected and associated vibration.
When I put it in neutral but still had way on I looked and the shaft was spinning but there was NO movement in the stuffing box.
My thoughts:
I screwed up the alignment to the motor.
The prop is too big and causing the shaft to wobble.
It was difficult to figure out how to align everything. I read several posts and spoke with friends that have done this before. The problem was is the shaft is about 15' or longer.
With it installed through the cutlass bearing and then into the coupler that was seated on the tail shaft the "droop" was such that it was laying in the bottom of the stern tube where it entered the hull. Note that I had the stuffing box pulled forward at that time so it was not helping support the shaft.
I had read that the stuffing box does help support the shaft so I installed the stuffing box but still had enough droop (the shaft goes another 7' to the coupler) that the shaft was 1.5" ?? down from the tail shaft of the tranny.
I put the coupler "ring" ( the piece you can slide into the tail shaft to hold it while putting in bolts, etc.) and lightly snugged down the bolts. I was able to align the shaft to within .003 and thought that would be fine. Apparently NOT fine.
I may have to hire this in and watch how this is done. I am going to run this by everyone this morning as I am going through Bob Smiths class here at Trawlerfest. I really appreciate any constructive ideas. I have already beat myself up and said what an idiot I am so I am good on that front!
As a side not, I just motored at about 800RPMS keeping the wobble to a very minimum and made sure plenty of "drips" we're coming out so I didn't seize the stuffing box. It was a beautiful day and enjoyable drive to the slip other than that. The wife did a great job on the bottom paint! At least one of us is competent....
Jeff