Installing New Packings A V-ring packing housing generally consists of male adapters and female adapters. Either or both of the adapters maybe designed as part of the gland or stuffing box. The adapters position and support the V-rings and form an efficient seal only when pressure spreads the lips of the rings firmly against the shaft, ram, or piston and against the walls of the stuffing box. To function properly, the female (open) side of the rings must face the pressure. In double-acting installations, two opposing sets of packings are used with the open sides of each set facing away from each other. The female adapter must be inserted into the stuffing box first and seated properly.    Each packing ring must then be inserted individually. Each ring must be seated carefully before the next ring is inserted. The rings must be seated with the aid of a flat tool or stick. To eliminate air trapped between the rings as they are being inserted, collapse a short section of the ring by placing a thin rod of brass or other soft metal between the lips and the stuffing box wall. The male adapter, if used, must then be properly seated. Extreme care must be exercised on installation to insure that the rings are not forced over sharp edges. A light coating of petrolatum conforming to the proper specification may be used if necessary, but excessive use must be avoided. Care is also taken that the rings or stuffing box wall is not damaged in any way. Gland Installation Some of the packings of the engine may be spring-loaded. No gland adjustment is necessary on this type, since the springs normally allow sufficient float of the packing. If the gland is other than spring-tensioned, insert the gland and apply easy hand pressure until the gland touches the packing. Do not force it. If there is clearance between the flange of the gland and the body surface, withdraw the gland and insert one or more gaskets with a total thickness of from 1/64 to 3/64 inch greater than the distance between the gland flange and body surface. If there is metal-to-metal contact between gland flange and body upon application of hand pressure, the gland must be removed and the depth of the stuffing box must be measured. The length of the gland from the inner face of the flange to the surface that contacts the packing must be measured. This length must be subtracted from the depth of the stuffing box; if the difference exceeds 3/64 inch, a shim of the thickness of the excess must be removed or the gland flange must be machined to take up the excess. If the gland is the screw-in type, the procedure is the same except that the gland must be screwed in until contact with the packing is made and then backed off sufficiently to give a minimum of 1/64-inch and a maximum of 3/64-inch clearance between the gland and the packing. The amount of backup may be determined by counting the number of gland nut threads to the inch. For instance, if there are 10 threads to the inch, one revolution of the gland will give 1/10-inch clearance. If possible, the gland nuts should be lock-wired to prevent rotation. General Precautions Regarding V-Ring Packing If leakage appears at the V-ring packing joint, check the gland flange for metal-to-metal contact with the body. Rework or replace parts as necessary, and if leakage continues, remove and examine the packing for damage or wear. A small leakage or “weeping” generally appears when a V-ring packing has been replaced, but it usually ceases after operation. If leakage persists after operation, the packing may have unseated itself and the gland should be readjusted. If leakage persists after a reasonable adjustment, disassemble and check the stuffing box walls and the pistons for scoring, and check the packing for damage. Leaking packing must be replaced when adjustment does not stop the leakage. Excessive gland pressure must not be applied. V-ring packing under pressure from the gland not only functions improperly or wears out faster but also applies uncalculated forces on the ram, shaft, or piston, which may cause improper operation of the machinery. A clearance of 1/64 to 3/64 inch must be maintained to allow the packing freedom of movement. When there is clearance between the body and the gland flange, check the clearance at four points, 90° apart, to ensure that the packing or gland is not cocked before installing the gasket. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Safety is not in itself an accident. Safety is the result of trained personnel knowing their jobs and doing those jobs to the utmost of their ability. Attention to every detail, concern over every function, and awareness of malfunction will nullify 3-64