Saving Old Seagulls

Hi all,

The etiquette on forums seems to be a "Hello" on joining.

I found this site as i'd been "googling" Seagull outboards. I've been after a cheap outboard for sometime for harbour fishing. Portsmouth harbour in my case. Anyway i've been very patient in getting an engine and i've been rewarded.

This is my Forty Minus SJM36691 (Is a minus the same as a featherweight?)



This is my Forty Plus FP959H2




I am told the Forty Minus was a runner once some time ago.... So i took the HT lead of the Plus stuck some oil down the bore and turned it over gently and then gave it a pull. After a couple of pulls i got a spark, i'm confident i'll get that running once i add fuel.

The Plus i'm told he never got it running, now there's a challenge. I'll point out now that both engines have been left with plugs removed in a garden for some time. This engine didn't turn under light hand pressure so i've oiled the bore and will leave it to soak. Any tips appreciated?
The Plus is also missing the carb and HT lead, will any carb and HT lead do?

Andy

Hi, welcome to the forum. You better get used to the thought of these two engines running again, they will that's for sure.

I'd say to you to spend a bit of time and look through all the past threads, it will take a bit of time but you'll find every answer in their. Seagulls never die on this site.
You will be able to get a used carb either from John SOS, he's the guy with all the spares for sale, either that maybe one of the guys will have a spare lying around.

For your FP, it it's seized or partially seized you'll see on the forum that most of us have had this problem and a good soak in diesel/petrol or the likes (for about a month) and it will come good. Patience is required at times, but the results are fantastic, nothing beats the roar of the old seagull. You'll soon be hooked, believe me.

Good luck, and don't hold back, ask questions I'm a novice compared to some of the guys, they are all good spuds and will help whenever.

Gerard

Hi, and welcome to the world of ever more Seagulls.

Those two look OK, if you need bits then give John a shout or look on the bay.

If those engines have been left outside without the plugs in, then I would do a partial strip down.

Drop the leg and exhaust off (2 nuts and one small screw under crankcase).

Then split the cylinder from the crankcase (2 bolts crankcase end of cylinder).

Make sure the bores are clean of corrosion and rings are free, clean and reassemble.

If you have fuel, spark and compression then they should run.

Good luck

H-A

Hi Andy - the Minus is essentially the same as a Featherweight. Both engines look in reasonably good order - important with these engines is to ensure there is oil in the gearbox, and the Minus needs checking more often as the gearcase doesn't hold much. Drain any water/old oil out first - the plug is the filler and the level gauge - correct oil is 140 weight.

Thanks Guys,

I have been searching the forum and it does contain a huge amount of information.

For now i'm trying to be patient... So i'm leaving the forty plus soaking in oil and i'll take a look at the gearbox to check what is or isn't in it. I'm a little nervous at stripping it yet as i'll expect breakages.

As for the forty i checked the gearbox and it's grease inside it. I also soaked the cork on the fuel tap and greased it, fuel filler cap doesn't want to budge now and i gave it some.

Am i right in thinking the blue tank should be black?

I have OCD with things i tinker with so it will end up clean and i'll like correct.

Andy