Fat rat,yes you alternate the ropes 180 degrees,do not overtighten.Fire up the engine ,let it run a few minutes with the water dripping.Slowly tighten the two bolts evenly until it's only drips once every minute.Let the seals break in.The water would lubricate the seals and the shaft as well.I still have the original shaft with hardly any score on it at the packing glands.