Saving Old Seagulls

For the interest of anyone passing by, she lives! Just reluctantly shut her down and closed the garage door. I did it the coward’s way – took her to a good mechanic, Steve Eltringham at Leeds Marine, who spent a couple of hours going back over the ground I thought I’d covered but doing it better: ti...

Thanks Mr Bullet. I'm holed up in the middle of a snowdrift at the moment and have ventured to garage only to reassemble motor before taking it over to my local expert for a look-see, when the roads are better. I think I've gone as far as I can on my own, without risking permanent damage, to motor o...

OK. Respects to any Skye man on boating matters and love to Glendale, where I once spent a very happy holiday. What else do I try first?

OK, just musing to myself on progress so far, but grateful if anyone has the patience to read in and comment. There is obviously nothing like learning by practice and most of you guys are a long way ahead of me in that. I'm attempting to teach myself in by reading, and there are always gaps between ...

Thanks fellas. I do follow what you have both said. Have had to put the project on ice for a few days, though. Will report later.

OK Keith, sorry - you were referring me to the pic previously posted. Thanks for the advice on which screw to go at, which is what I was after. Have reassembled for now but will go back to points and try again if plug change does not work ...

I have been going through the FAQs but I need the Dummies guide to adjusting points and haven't found it yet. Thanks to Keith.P but I don't think your illustration posted? I haven't got the flywheel off - just the lid. Actually, the gap looks better now I've cleaned it and I might leave it as it isw...

Got the cover off! Guess what? I hadn't realised there was a removable plate in the top. I was trying to get the whole top half off the flywheel. Have exposed points. All looks quite clean but gap, even to my novice eye, looks way too small. Now setting out to teach myself how to adjust it ... could...

Thanks Bullet - to save confusion I'll go back to the other thread for further progress reports.

Thanks 1650 bullet - I was posting a PS just as you were posting your reply, having gone back over previous and seen that diagram you sent in ... I'll have another go.

Just posted this at the end of "Another Novice's Tale" but thought I would make it a new topic, too, to draw attention to it .... Just in case anyone is still following this one ... Eventually got the top nut off the flywheel, after a week of WD40 and a visit from a second pair of hands. N...

Just in case anyone is still following this one ... Eventually got the top nut off the flywheel, after a week of WD40 and a visit from a second pair of hands. Next, single-handed again, attempted to follow instruction to "remove the cover underneath this, to expose the ignition system below&quo...

Thanks fellas. The fuel tap itself didn't leak. It was when I let the fuel through - so I am guessing the problem was no washer in the cup nut which clamps the fuel line onto the tap thread. It's a very tiny space to get a washer into and I'm wondering if a mixed pack of fibre washers will have the ...

Thankyou mate. I am looking for the way to post pix. Serial number of the motor is SJP 32837, which I looked up and dated to 62-63. I just added a couple of details to my questions: The washers I am talking about look like the hole in them is seven sixteenths of an inch, just holding them against a ...

Now then. I chose Silverbaby when I had to choose a moniker because, altho grizzled, I'm a complete beginner when it comes to engines. So excuse daft questions. Here's my story so far with a 1962-3 40 series Seagull my bro-in-law found and gave me as a retirement present, which is how I found you gu...