Pearson P31-II, Manual, Page: 40 / 82

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4.6 PROPELLER & SHAFT ASSEMBLY
4.6.1 Shaft Packing Gland
A properly adjusted shaft packing gland should drip
slightly (from 14 to 8 drops per minute) with the engine
on. Too loose an adjustment will allow too much water in
the bilge, and engine operation will spray water from the
shaft. Too tight an adjustment will rob the engine of
power, and the lack of water lubrication in the packing
gland can generate enough heat to damage the gland and/or
score the propeller shaft.
NOTE: THE PACKING GLAND IS LOCATED BEHIND THE ENGINE AND
IS ACCESSIBLE THROUGH THE QUARTERBERTH, OR THROUGH THE
COCKPIT SEAT LOCKER.
4.6.1.1 adjustment
Holding the packing nut with one wrench, use a second
wrench to loosen the lock nut. Turn the lock nut far
enough to keep it from interfering with the next adjust-
ment (2 or 3 turns).
Tighten the packing nut to obtain 14 to 8 drops per minute.
NOTE: HAND TIGHTENING OF THE PACKING NUT IS OFTEN SUFFI-
CIENT TO OBTAIN THIS ADJUSTMENT. IF THIS IS NOT THE CASE,
AN ADDITIONAL 1/14 TO 1/2 TURN WITH THE WRENCH SHOULD PRO-
DUCE THE DESIRED RESULT.
Hold the packing nut in place with one wrench, and use the
second wrench to bring the locking nut securely against the
packing nut.
CAUTION! MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE LOCKING NUT IS TIGHT.
FAILURE TO DO THIS COULD ALLOW THE PACKING NUT TO BACK OFF
WHEN THE ENGINE IS OPERATING.
Operate the engine at slow speeds in forward and reverse
and use a light to check for excessive water at the packing
nut. Shut off the engine and recheck packing nut for
proper drip.
4.6.2 Shaft coupling (Fig. 14.6)
A careful alignment between engine and propeller shaft at
the shaft coupling is essential if efficient and vibration
free operation is to be attained. This alignment involves
making adjustments to the engine mounts until the mating
surfaces of the coupling are properly aligned and is one of
the tasks that is performed during commissioning.
NOTE: THE SHAFT COUPLING IS LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE
ENGINE.