Drive Shaft

[baumanmt]

Hey there again everyone, sorry if some of my questions seem a bit stupid, I just dont want to mess anything up on my new baby. The previous owner said when he used reverse alot this nut loosened up on him (that just doesn't seem right ). Here is a picture of the area I'm talking about, is there an adjustment here, should this look like this and is there suppose to be some set screws on this collar? The boat also can with the commander 300 (351) motor, what do you guys think of this motor?

[bobchris]

RE: Drive Shaft

that is the stuffing box, where a rope seal resides in the brass section. The stainless steel peice is a safty collar ans should have a couple of set screw in it and have a gap between it and the stuffing box. Going in reverse should have no effect on that piece unless it isn't located properly and that would be like it is now, flush against the stuffing box.

[baumanmt]

RE: Drive Shaft

thanks for the response, I just joined PN, and just got my first nautique, so I am hoping this web page will help me with questions. I'm not sure it will though, I've asked a couple of questions, and dont seem to get much response. How about the commander motor? If I leave a 1/16 in. gap and replace the two set screws, does everything eles look right? Thanks

[Andrew]

RE: Drive Shaft

u can leave a rather large gap. just make sure that if the shaft where to break that the collar will prevent the prop from getting into the rudder

[bobchris]

RE: Drive Shaft

check to make sure that the stuffing box is adjusted right before you set the collar. Might not be a bad idea since it's new to you to replace the packing flax with the newer style teflon stuff for a all most dripless set-up.

[baumanmt]

RE: Drive Shaft

I hate to ask so many questions, is there anywhere I can get an owners manual or a repair manual for any of this stuff? I'm not even sure how to tell if the stuffing box is adjusted correctly, and does the new flax pack inside the brass area?

[darrel409]

RE: Drive Shaft

You can download the manual from this site, look in "downloads". If you use the standard packing rope, the stuffing box should have a drip but not steady stream. If you use the "gortex" packing then it should be pretty much dripless. Yes, it is inside those two big brass nuts. One is a gland nut the other a locking nut. Should have safety wire on it too. When you open it up you will see how it wraps on.

[baumanmt]

RE: Drive Shaft

Thanks guys this is my first direct drive boat.

[baumanmt]

RE: Drive Shaft

I just went to downloads and tried: stuffing box, drive shaft, and drive line and came up with nothing.

[Rick]

RE: Drive Shaft

Try doing a google search on stuffing box repacking there are several how to boating sites. Also try www.correctcraftfan.com it is explaned in detail. The safety collar is just there to keep the shaft from falling out if it breaks or comes out of the flange. I have always set mine about 1 inch from the packing nut. Before repacking, take the boat to the water and watch the stuffing box. It should drip about 6 times a minute. if less you are OK if more back off the locknut and tighten the packing nut 1/4 turn. Run the boat for aout 5 iminutes and repeat. If you have to tighten the nut more than 1-1 1/2 turns repack it. Good Luck

[Christopher-W.-Becker]

RE: Drive Shaft

Guys......If I remember from my 86 Nautique there is should be a lock wire to keep the nut from spining loose. The brass plate against the black rubber transtion hose has holes in it for the lock wire (you can see them in the above picture) and the nut did also if I remember.

Commander was in mine. Stainless steel exhausts. The stainless steel exhaust is in two pieces, the round transition at the back that goes to rubber exhaust hoses has a tendency to leak (look for soot or similar around the flange). You cannot get the gaskets anymore, BUT you can make your own from some gaskets from McMaster Carr. I think I still may have one or two left over.

Engine was great and MUCH better after I rebuilt the holley. Never got to puting in a solid state ingnition package as we moved to a 2004 216.

[baumanmt]

RE: Drive Shaft

thanks guys, I think I can see whats going on, so I'm gonna repack it with the gortex rope and get safety wire on the nut, and then water test it. My only question would be how do you know what is tight enough with the new packing (do you have to water test it? I will go to the other site and check on manual downloads. Thanks a ton

[Rick]

RE: Drive Shaft

Pack it with 3 pieces of the 3/8 Gore-tex or Teflon Flax. Make sure you stager the splits. I then hand tighten it.If you overtighten you will gall the shaft. You will need to retighten it after running it for about 1/2 hour. But then your good.