On the subject of stuffing boxs:
1. Parts dealers will try to sell you exhaust hose, about 18 years ago they were the same. Now days most exhaust hoses are either 2 ply or wire reinforced. rather then the 4 ply. I had a parts dealer pull a new stuffing box to prove me wrong. then he contacted his distributor, now they stock the stuffing box hose, about 18 years ago they were the same. (since they are shipped in 8" lengths they are cot curved.)
2. If you removed the strut, you have to re-align it. If you just pulled the keepers and drove out the bearing, put in a new one, put in the shaft, assemble the stuffing box on the shaft, with the hose, slide them in place, the put on 2 clamps at each end. (You can either install the engine in the yard, or launch the vessel, then put it in where the vessel is not sitting blocked up in the yard.) Put the bolt in and tighten them. all of the holes should already be ther.
3. after at least 48 hours, you can align the engine. the other way is like drilling the hole for the shaft log through the bottom. Not fun even with a jig.
May you have calm seas, & fair winds
Boyce