Saving Old Seagulls

It had to happen, went away for a few days holiday leaving the Standard Shaft Seagull Century in the shed.
When I got home and opened up the shed there appeared a second Seagull. this one is a long shaft Century Plus, it’s true they do breed if left alone!

Here is a photo of the first one from 1957, bought as a non runner it started Second pull! This is the second one from 1964 bought as a runner it refused to start!
Checked it out and found that the Secondary windings on the Coil were open circuit. So bought a new coil from George of Villiers parts, installed that and it started third pull. It now starts first pull! Also had to back flush with a hose to get the cooling water to discharge. Will now completely strip and check the Century Plus and put it into good order while continuing to use the Century as is.

Dave.

Now there are two......watch out you will need a bigger shed aye.

Aye it’s under way . Cheers, Dave.

Thought I would update this with some photos of sorting this Century Plus.
First as was when bought, Then as it is now. First task was to sort out the coil which was open circuit, here is the flywheel with a ball bearing set on top of the shaft, the bearing will transmit the hammer blow directly to the shaft. No one to give me a hand so I hung the motor with some Kernmantle, taper let go after second blow with the large Ballpein. Will now clean the points with an oil stone and give them a good face. More later, Dave.

With the old coil on the bench it was easy to test and there was no doubt that it was open circuit. Cleaned up and waiting for the new coil. New coil fitted and it’s a runner!. More later, Dave.

Your rope trick is nice - I have a one handed jig - its two pieces of 2x2 with a shaped wooden pieice at the top that bolts around the flywheel - like a pair of wooden hands ! I pack it up so the gear base is just half inch above the floor - and whack - One can be much freer with the 'whack' when neither your hands or a friends hands are near the hammer !

You did well to get the old coil end lugs off - they can be a pig.

I've just bought another forty + ( local £40 ) - I do like stripping them - quite thereputic. Trouble is I often do not get around to putting them back together - they take up less space in bits !

Nice one Geoff, like the idea that they take up less space in parts!
Yes did manage to butcher one of the grub screw getting the old coil out, one side of the screw broke away. Made up a very small cold chisel and cut a new slot, was then able to back the old screw out and make up a new screw.
Dave.

As Geoff says it’s very therapeutic working on a Seagull I really enjoyed getting this one sorted.

When it was tested in the tank it proved to be running well apart from not having any cooling water discharging, managed to get some water circulating after back flushing with a hose,

So decided to strip things down and see what was gummed up.
Removed the prop and cleared some old mackerel line. Opened up the gear box to find a stiff gray paste! As you can see when I dug out the crown wheel and lifted it out the impression made by the teeth remained! Dave.

Once every thing was cleaned up it was time to rebuild. Even the bracket that was painted white got the once over . Back in the tank and it now has a good water flow just above tick-over. Cheers for now, Dave.

Nice - the pinion bush can be a 'interesting' oneto get out.
The bronze bushes are often well worn and are not cheap - easy to make up IF you have a metal working lathe ! One day ....

I have loads of bits if you are stuck for anything - or swap.

the pinion bush can be a 'interesting' oneto get out

Hi Geoff, yes the pinion was well stuck with corrosion but luckily showing no signs of wear. Thanks for the offer of sharing or swapping parts I’ll keep you in mind.
This Century Plus is now in good order and ready for service but I do intend to have a look at the Century I’ve been using this year over the winter.
Next year when they are back on the water I’ll probably play with the needle setting and see if I can get the carburetion better.
Cheers Dave.