Saving Old Seagulls

Thanks Charles, good to know the cylinder might be salvageable over the longer term, with a small haricut. Bruce, yes a fun project for sure, look forward to putting around with a mythical 170 model. Now onto my next 170 question topic: spark plugs. The 170 takes 14mm diameter plugs with 19mm reach,...

Also, any idea what this Carburettor Shield does? It it a heat shield?

Not measured. Are you thinking that shaving it down a tad could improve the mating?

Agree with your recommend application in almost all cases. Absolutely the right advice. However it's a live or die situation for this cylinder :lol: Discovered some pitting on outer edge mating surface = extra RTV or the trash bin are my options in the near term. Until I find a new one this is what ...

A quick video showing the red high-temp RTV sealing the outside of the head. This motor starts, idles, runs very well in the bin. In and out of gear without having to rev it up a bit like the other FNR gearbox motors I have. Very smooth running overall. Next up, sea trials... https://saving-old-seag...

Many thanks. Pleasantly surprised at £65 for the winding!

Took the head off today, but forgot to take a photo while it was off. Outer edge is down to 2mm in a couple places on the mating surface, but enough to get a bead of RTP on it all around. Inner surface around the sleeve in better condition, and didn’t see any carbon markings etc leaking out from the...

Not sure I have any other options with this cylinder? Happy to take advice! Don’t need it to work forever, just for a couple summer runs. Other options I considered but decided not to pursue: 1. Doubling up head gasket. Would maybe fix external water leak but suspect lower compression and possibly w...

Have decided to give some high temp RTV silicon a try, despite the warning on back that says not to use on cylinder heads…what could go wrong! This one ran fine for 15 mins in the barrel, so assume water was only leaking out the perimeter of the block, not into the sleeve itself. Though higher RPMs ...

Hi Pete, do you mind sharing current cost (ex shipping) for the rewinding service at Villiers?

Always a useful option to consider, there are plenty of seagulls out there waiting for a new coil!

Thanks
Andrew

First time starting this one after a full rebuild a couple years ago. Replaced piston & rod (remembering the wire https://www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?p=63459&hilit=Postmortem#p63459). New gaskets/hoses/etc top to bottom. 30 mins of pulling the starter, occasional misfi...

None of my grips have the Allan key socket either, but I’ve seen them in the stores and thought the extra feature wouldn’t hurt the next time I need a new pair. I’ve had a couple experiences where the grips are clamped so tight I end up using a second pair of grips, pliers or even hammer to compress...

Some of the newer grips have Allan key fitting in the end of the tightening bolt. Definitely useful in loosening the grips when they are clamped tight.

Yes the ignition is a Villiers Mark 1 (MK1). M1269 Washer For Dome Nut is the part number and description. An Amal 2 Jet Carb as per your service manual was originally fitted, part number is 46N. The Amal 46N at a 10:1 fuel:oil ratio was superseded by the Amal 416 which ran at 25:1. Both are availab...

Hi Aircobra, did you manage to get the coil off? Baseplate and mounting screws etc can be replaced easily if damaged, plenty of used parts available for decent prices if needed. Have you checked the resistance/continuity on existing coils? Many/most original Villiers M1634 coils fitted to British se...