another rudder question!

berwick · **Joined:** 21 Oct 2006 18:12 **Posts:** 325

I am working on taking out the rudder to rebuild plus do the pintle issue. Before I take the rudder down I notice I have 1/4" to 3/8" play up and down (vertical). I recall a plastic? washer above rudder before it enters the boat but it has been gone for a couple of years now. What kind of washer is it UHMW or other type? Where do I get it (Tartan?). I was thinking of getting a few so that I could get a few so as to shim out the play, I would guess there still needs to be a bit of up and down movement. How much should I have?

thanks,
Richard

Tortuga's Lie · **Joined:** 27 Oct 2006 10:32 **Posts:** 827

Berwick,
The washer you are referring to is at the very top of the rudder, correct? If so, mine was simply out of polycarbonite/plexi-glass, about 3/16" thick. I would venture a guess that Delrin would also make a good washer in this application, but may be more susceptible to UV degradation. This washer is just at or slightly above the waterline.
There is a lower washer where it rides on the pintle and I believe that that one is Delrin.

T37Chef · **Posted:** 17 Oct 2011 10:40

what about any gasket or such for the post? I dropped mine becasue I was getting water in when the stern squats under power?

Tortuga's Lie · **Joined:** 27 Oct 2006 10:32 **Posts:** 827

Chef,
You should have a compression flange where flax shaft packing is wrapped around the rudder shaft then the flange bolts to it's mating flange. This arrangement is similar to a stuffing box, but the stuffing box has a threaded nut that compresses the flax and the rudder shaft seal uses the bolted flange arrangement.
It could be that your old flax is simply worn away after 30 years. You can replace this in the water without worry since it's above the waterline.

berwick · **Joined:** 21 Oct 2006 18:12 **Posts:** 325

I also added a zerk grease fitting below the "stuffing box" and fill with grease, I think this helps with any water intrusion also.
What density of two part foam have people used for the rudder? 2lb, 4lb or 8lb?

thanks
Richard

Timshel · **Joined:** 29 Dec 2010 10:24 **Posts:** 192

I removed my pintle yesterday,the 1'' pin had detatched from the plate. I hope I am not 'shooting myself in the foot' with this project, but , to eliminate the crevice corrosion problem I am rebuilding the assembly in Bronze, with a 1 1/2'' pin. I already have the materials from Speedy Metals. Cost is not much more than stainless, and Tartan parts do not make one with my bolt pattern ![4 bolts in staggered pairs] Wish me luck !! Bruce.

berwick · **Joined:** 21 Oct 2006 18:12 **Posts:** 325

Hmm, bronze, maybe I should go that way....

Richard

Timshel · **Joined:** 29 Dec 2010 10:24 **Posts:** 192

Well, I have my new pintle in bronze, I had the pin made of 1 1/2'' and I will glue the bushing into the rudder tube with sikaflex or similar. The pin is a very tight press fit in the bar then two 1/4'' bolts threaded into the interface underneath, cut off and peened over, it shouldnt move !!
The bar and rod stock was $229 from speedymetals, bolts washers etc $51 from mcmaster-carr [jamestown will only sell 25 bolts !!] Machine shop $116 Total $396 , this compares favorably with Tartan parts. Now I have to wait for spring. Also pulled my chainplates, they look ok but I will get them x-rayed or similar. Wish me luck with my experiment. Bruce.

Timshel · **Joined:** 29 Dec 2010 10:24 **Posts:** 192

Looking at my picture it is an optical illusion that they are different sizes, they are both 3'' by 3/4''.

Tortuga's Lie · **Joined:** 27 Oct 2006 10:32 **Posts:** 827

I'll be curious how it fairs, you'll have to keep us posted. I would make sure it is bonded to a zinc somewhere to keep the electrolosis in check since bronze can be affected too.

Tartan37.com

another rudder question!

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