Roys next build will be a Silver Century ?

[Charles uk]

Roy before you start buying bits, ensure you can buy an affordable good silver century cylinder!

[Raya]

I agree with Charles about the century cylinders. I bought 2 silver century models at the same time as I aquired my 102. Both had rusted cylinders with one virtually falling apart as I attemped to disassemble it. The other had a crack through the water jacket. I think that this model seagull is particulary prone to rust in the cylinder either through poor design of the cooling passages or poor materials.

The cylinder fell apart when disassembled.

[Charles uk]

The most common start point for silver century failure is the crankcase side of the exhaust port.

[african imp]

I agree with Charles about the century cylinders. I bought 2 silver century models at the same time as I aquired my 102. Both had rusted cylinders with one virtually falling apart as I attemped to disassemble it. The other had a crack through the water jacket. I think that this model seagull is particulary prone to rust in the cylinder either through poor design of the cooling passages or poor materials.

Silver Century cylinder head.jpg

The rust, is that from leaving salt water in the engine?

[Charles uk]

Not flushing in fresh after salt use!

There are many previous posts on this on here.

[african imp]

If my memory serves me correct l used a piece of a jug heater element as a replacement spring in the past. Only spiral l could find of the right size. I would probably just coil my own now.

Thanks, I have a suitable spring here plus a Lucas wire loom brass bullet end will make a good end terminal, so R300 saved, that is about 16.50 pounds now?

[african imp]

The most common start point for silver century failure is the crankcase side of the exhaust port.

Does the square cast iorn block have an issue design wise?

Round hole in a square block comes to mind or is it just a lack of flushing out with fresh water?

I doubt I will find a spare block here anyway?