We have a 12JE that we took apart to replace the main bearing.   I pressed the new bearing on tonight.
Now, what's the best way to install the new packing?

1.  Do you cut the packing to make a perfect circle or coil it around the shaft like a spring?

2. If you cut it then it's 4 rows with alternating end positions is that correct??

3  Install the shaft and push the packing in or put the packing in then install the shaft?

I know you guys will know all the tricks on this one.  I HOPE.

Tomorrow I'll be puting it back together hopefully with your hints

can you do this when the shaft is still in it ? This is leaking in the Eliminator and need to fix it..

Pics are good

Yes Steve you can definately do this with the shaft in , matter of fact we do it that way even on "bench work" , recently read a post saying AT instructions say otherwize I disagree Just my OP 

Sorry no pics of that but I'll subsitute for now  , call if I can help Tom

Thats a good substitution....can she come over and help with the "Install"??

  Shes part of the JBP field "installation" team

Cool! Send her to Vegas we can put here to work! 

What is the best kind of packing to use to replace the factory packing?

We bought one ring of the original type so see what size we needed.  We got the graphite for the actual job..   Wear rubber gloves with it 

Easy? Negative! At least with the pump still in the boat. Only took an hour for mine, but what a bitch. Especially the inner one. I replaced them with the graphite rings