Stuffing tube, hole size to drill?

[460_f100_dude]

I am getting ready to drill my hole for the stuffing tube how big of a hole do i want to be able to make adjustment and whatnot its a 1/4 inch tubing Thanks Darren

 

[ClayGlover]

do you have a local hobby shop? hands on experience would be helpful for you.

what type of hull is it? once the stuffing tube angle is set and glued in place, you really can't make adjustments without surgery, but there will be some bending play at the strut end for strut height adjustments.

i usually eyeball the tube along the side of the hull to determine where to cut the bottom for the tube. when you locate the area that the tube will exit the bottom, drill some holes in the bottom of your hull in a straight line front to back about 3 inches long (more or less as needed) with a bit the same size as your tube. then clean it out to a slot with a dremel or hand file. insert the tube through the slot and into the mounted strut. the strut should be set at where you will have it when running first. slide the driveshaft into the tube and on into the mounted motor's shaft coupler. you will have to bend the stuffing tube a little before it will align, like a sweeping "s" shape. it's important to not have any sharp bends in the tube. when it is good and lined up through the slot from the strut to the motor (make sure you install the drive shaft all the way through the tube and into the motor flex hex coupler for good alignment before gluing in) then use epoxy and fiberglass cloth around the stuffing tube and slot to support the tube and seal the hole around the tube. i like to use a short length of next size larger diameter tube at the gluing point. that way you can take the stuffing tube out without ripping up the hull bottom if you have to. the short piece stays in, stuffing tube can be worked out. make sense? good luck

 

[ClayGlover]

oh, make the hole small at first in case it's to far forward or back. then adjust the hole as needed