Saving Old Seagulls

Hi everyone,
While this may be an unwise action on my part I wondered if it was possible to swap the coil, condensor, and points in a Ferrier 120 for something more serviceable.
Has anyone out there done this because surely its just a question of drilling new holes in the back plate and mounting the more easily obtainable coil, points, condensor etc.
Anyhow there is the matter of the flywheel`s magnetic strength being compatible with a certain coil type but I hope this isn`t rocket science.
Also does anyone know what gap the points should be ? Also what ratio of oil to petrol is suitable ?
Hope this suggestion does not offend the purists out there. I´m loath to do it as the engine runs but the points are on borrowed time and the mention of a Miller magneto to most people means nothing.

What year is yours ?? , my Ferrier has a Wico ignition , and looks to be quite "modern"

Andy.

Searched in vain for number of manufacture. It is the model with the wrap-around petrol tank. I enclose photos that I hope will help identification of magnito.
John

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44908288@N08/4118799115/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44908288@N08/4118799117/

The magneto setup you have is a Miller ignition as youv'e already discovered, which were used on other engines including British Anzani Pilots, and you should be able to get hold of one for not much money ( the Pilot is in fact quite a nice motor for small boats, but isn't popular for some reason, and therefore cheap!)
These Anzanis had the Miller ignition for quite a while, and went to Wico ignitions later, but they are interchangeable as a flywheel and baseplate set.
I'll have a rummage through my Anzani bits, but don't think at the moment that I will have any of the parts you need.
Points gap 0.020" - fuel mix for your Ferrier probably 16:1 which won't hurt it. Rick.

Thanks for identification and info re. points and mixture. I`m based in Finland and should be able to find parts needed here. The Anzani Pilot is a nice motor with reverse. Now I know what to look for.
regards
john

Hi John,

just to say that I confirmed the 16:1 petrol mixture as correct for your engine from an old lubrication chart. Rick.

John - just had another look at the photos of your magneto - from what I can see, the points appear to be serviceable - all that should be necessary is to clean and polish the actual contacts. Miller ignitions in my experience are normally good and produce an impressive spark, although the coil can look like a finger wrapped in a dirty bandage!
Might be worteh re-making the HT connection at the pillar near to the coil, if it looks as though it has been bodged at some time.
You don't need a huge amount of magnetism on the flywheel poles - usually you can pick up the flywheel by a spanner placed across the poles, but I've never encountered lack of magnetism as a problem. Rick.

Hello,
Thanks Rick for the vote of confidence in Miller magnetos. I am intending to use the Ferrier as the main engine when on canals in Europe, and didnt want something that looks expensive at the back of the boat. I agree with twostroke nut that the Ferrier seems to be a well built machine so your input has made the idea of travelling with a 60 year old motor not unreasonable.
Will try though to obtain Anzani, I have memories of their agility on boats in the 60`s. Bit surprised now that they didnt pull the transom off when slaming the boat into reverse at 7 knots (Given the boats decrepitude) !
John

I don't think you will find that the Anzani Pilot had reverse or a clutch it varied between 1.5 & 3 hp depending on how late the manufacturing date was, whereas your Ferrier had about twice as many ccs & was 4hp.