Tyler,
When you pulled the nut back, there was a sleeve that you had to pull
back to look into where the packing is (should be - it must be, it can't
get out). You need to buy packing that fits well in that space.
Measuring (if you even need to) it is usually easy. Then you have to
decide if you are going to cut rings or wrap the new packing.

Matt Colie



wrote:
Hello:
I have a 34' Columbia, 1974 with a Volvo/Penta MD-11C Diesel Engine.
The problem that I need some advice on is that my stuffing box is
leaking like a sive. The propeller shaft is 1 inch and I have backed of
the locknut and seen that there is absolutely nothing inside the
stuffing box/nut. So how do I know what size Teflon square cord to
buy. It could be 1/8th or 3/16th or 1/4 inch. Sombody told me to take a
tape measure and place it against the shaft and measure the distance to
the threads of the nut, but this is very inaccurate, it wiggles. Any
advice???

Thanks
Tyler Nelson