Walking Beam Cylinder Packing Nut

[Mfoxchicago]

Good evening Captains,

TULE PRINCESS' Walking Beam Engine Cylinder has developed a consistent and now significant steam leak at the piston rod port on the upper head of the cylinder. After 32 years, I am of the opinion that whatever type of packing material that has previously sealed this shaft port is finally wearing out. I lifted the cover plate, removed the old, oily insulation batting that helped keep the top of the cylinder head hot. I have (4) SS studs, with (2) nuts on each stud. I was able to safely and easily remove the studs, which were screwed in to the header mushroom (for lack of a proper name).

Now, this is where I need your help. There are no significant tool marks on this brass piece to indicate that it was screwed in, but it may be. I have hesitated to use any significant force to tap it up and out in the event there are treads screwing this piece down, then have it locked down with the studs & nuts. I did try using a band wrench to turn it - nothing. This engine was designed and build by David Sarlin back in 1982-83. Most every part was custom designed by David from plans he took inspiration from, from the 1926-54 Ferry steamer - SACRAMENTO. David passed away in '95. TULE's former Captain was contacted and reported that he never in 17 years had any reason to fix or address any issues with the packing gland of the main engine. So, I'm flying blind here to a degree.

I am hoping either the Walking Beam Engine Captains would have seen something familiar in there experience of building or working with Walking Beam engines or perhaps other Captains can give me some educated opinions whether this packing nut is driven home or needing tapping out OR is there some probability of it being screwed down.

I'd upload pics, but this site will not load anything bigger than 128kb - it would be nice if the sites servers could support larger file sizes.

BUT, I still would like to hear your thoughts on this issue.

[cyberbadger]

Use http://imgur.com/ for images.
Click on the Down arrow after you up load->Get Share Links->BB code (Forums).

Paste that in your post here. Add a 'l' before .jpg for 'large' to make it not huge.

The following stuff is what the above instructions will get you with the difference of 'l' before .jpg. It is also I believe a good product that should work for your packing.

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[img]http://i.imgur.com/seUGAwql.jpg[/img]

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[img]http://i.imgur.com/seUGAwq.jpg[/img]

I have never seen a walking beam in person under steam so I can't tell you if you need to unscrew that or what.
For steam rated graphite packing: http://www.mcmaster.com/#graphite-packing/=14ax56y

-CB

[fredrosse]

As far a packing glands go, I have seen many, on pumps, steam engines, and all sorts of machinery. Packing glands are often screwed down on valve stems, but I have never seen this on cylinder packings. Packing glands for steam cylinder rods are always forced down on the packing with studs and nuts in what I have seen.

The gland needs to be removed upward to allow re-packing, but it should be possible to rotate the gland back and forth while working it upwards. A picture sure would help here!

[Lopez Mike]

My little 3 x 4 Strath Warrego has a screw down cylinder rod packing nut.

Good and bad. Easy to snug up a bit but it really needs safety wire to keep it from creeping. Very thin wire and easy to deal with but still a small fuss.