Saving Old Seagulls

Hi, recently took my 40+ to Lake Garda for use on my small inflatable. Engine starts great, and seems to run fine, but the last quarter of an inch of throttle makes the engine die. Reducing the throttle again makes her pick up and at this setting will run all day. The needle in the carb is for 10:1 mix and the fuel is mixed correctly. Whilst on the lake I messed about with the needle repeatedly, screwing it up and down in 1/4 turns until the needle was 2 turns above and below its original setting (flush with slide) and this didn't seem to make any difference. The tank air inlet was unscrewed, there are no leaks and everything seems tight. Any suggestions?

Simon

I could be timing, also a air leak in the crank casing, or bushes.
what is the age of the motor and try to use the choke to see if its down to the mixture.

not that this is the problem - but the "calibration" for the top cable adjuster (knurled nut) is that the air slide closes and the motor dies when the throttle lever is all the way over.

last time out with my 40+ i noticed what you're describing but to a lesser extent. if i pushed the throttle waaaaaay over to full the motor would lose a few rpm. if i backed it off a bit i would get full speed. i've recently resealed the head, had a fresh plug, running with fresh 10:1 fuel, etc.

next time try closing the choke just a bit then seeing if the same thing happens. if it improves it might just shed a bit more light on the issue.

Thanks for the advice fellas, will drag her out at the weekend and stick her in the wheelie bin. The only problem with the 'timing' suggestion is I thought it was fixed. I like the idea about the choke will give it a go. The seriel no indicates 1972.

I have a couple of Forty minus engines with Amal carbs that run best just short of full open throttle.

So I just run them just under full throttle.

I think that they are running rich at full throttle, but this is better than lean as it will not damage the engine.

I did think that I could drop the needle one notch, but thought it may make little difference.

Will give it a try when I use them next.

I also have a late 416 amal carb from a 40 plus that has a spacer above the throttle slider that restricts the movement so it can't be opened fully. Perhaps Seagull had the same problem.

H-A