GFO Marine Shaft Packing

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GFO Marine Shaft Packing is a braided propeller and rudder fiber packing that requires little to no maintenance.

With a wide service record across commercial, fishing, and even military vessels, there is no job too large or too small for GFO Marine Shaft Packing. Since this material is four times more thermally conductive than regular flax, it needs practically zero sea water for lubrication or cooling. In addition, leakage is kept to an absolute minimum, due to the fact that GFO Marine Shaft Packing never shrinks or swells.

GFO Marine Shaft Packing is used by the US Navy and Coast Guard and many commercial work and fishing fleets. And, it is approved by the American Bureau of Shipping.

With minimal thermal expansion and high abrasion resistance, you can trust GFO Marine Shaft Packing to protect your boat's shaft without being deteriorated or destroyed.

GFO won't damage shafts

GFO fiber packing has minimal thermal expansion and high abrasion resistance – it never gets hard and abrasive, even when mud or sand-laden water gets into the prop shaft stuffing box. So extensive shaft scoring and premature packing failure are things of the past. And, this marine shaft packing can withstand high shaft speeds without being consumed or destroyed.

GFO allows bilges to stay dry

Since GFO fiber dripless packing is four times more thermally conductive than flax, it needs virtually no sea water for lubrication or cooling. And, because it doesn't swell or shrink, leakage is controlled and kept to an absolute minimum. In fact, you'll notice that your bilge is dry and cleaner, because this remarkable packing gland hardly ever drips. It's so conformable and flexible that it will solve most perpetual problem leakers, too.

Area Master Dealer

eMarine is the area master dealer for GFO Marine Shaft Packing products.

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GFO Shaft Packing Key Features

  • 30 years of proven performance
  • Name printed on the packing
  • Widest range of applications
  • Long lasting
  • Does not harden
  • Minimum shaft damage
  • Manufacturer's reputation for highest quality fluid sealing products

GFO Shaft Packing Key Benefits

  • Confidence that the product will work every time
  • Easy to install & to remove
  • Reduces inventory levels by consolidating packing needs
  • Saves money & labor
  • Minimum downtime from re-packing pumps or resurfacing shafts

How to Install GFO Marine Shaft Packing

To determine the size GFO fiber packing you need for your engine shaft, measure the distance between A and B. Measure: the ID of the stuffing box, subtract the OD of the shaft, divide by 2. We have standard sizes to accommodate most power and sail boats, but other sizes are available on special order.

Available sizes

1/8″, 3/16″, 1/4″, 5/16″, 3/8″ available in 24 inch packs
1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″ available in 30 inch packages

GFO Marine Shaft Packing is very easy to install. Just cut into two to three pieces to length (the length to make one wrap around your shaft) to form the rings and install them in the shaft stuffing box. Make maybe one adjustment to the packing gland following a short run-in and never tinker with the stuffing box again! You'll rarely need to make any adjustments, and the Gore dripless packing will last for years.

Watch the installation video:

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Installations Steps

  • Open the shaft stuffing box.
  • Remove the old packing completely.
  • Check to make sure the new packing is the correct diameter size. (Stuffing box gland inside diameter minus shaft diameter divided by 2 should be the size of the packing material being used).
  • Check the condition of the shaft. Any burrs or sharp areas must be repaired prior to installation.
  • Make one wrap of GFO fiber packing around the drive shaft, wherever it is easily accessible, and cut the single ring to a length where the two ends meet each other(or you can use a mandrel the same diameter size as your shaft to size the ring).
  • Install the GFO fiber packing in the stuffing box with up to 3 rings, one ring at a time making sure that you stagger the ring joints approximately 90°. It is essential that the ends of the rings meet cleanly at the joint. (Do not add grease or other lubricants – these can hinder performance.)
  • Tighten the packing gland until it is snug. Do not over tighten.
  • After about one or two hours of running time, check the prop shaft stuffing box for leakage, and make a final adjustment to attain minimum leakage. (There should be virtually no leakage.)

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