Saving Old Seagulls

As i only joined the other day and it's my first experience with seagulls i have progressed, but not too far yet.

My first post told how i had two seagulls one of which is seized so i'm leaving that with oil in.

So i'm playing with the Forty Minus.

My mate said "When i got it it only took me 45min to get it running" Another challenge i thought. Even though it's been left and neglected in the garden in the elements.

I know i should have stripped the carb at least but it's a race, it turns over nicely, it's spark is blue, i'd soaked and greased the fuel cock. So after work today i rush to the garage keen as can b,e pour some fuel into the tank. Bugger, wet floor the tank has a hole in it. So i swap tanks over, get some fuel in the other tank and open the fuel cock. Even more fuel on the floor coming out of the hole in the carb. So i turn the fuel cock off, then the fuel cock has a slow drip of fuel so i put the choke on and i give it a few pulls. Nah she didn't start so no quick start with this one this time.

I then discovered how to stip the carb by getting stuck in, the float was stuck in the float chamber. Hence why it over filled and was dripping. There is also corrosion in the float chamber basin. I end up being in the garage for an hour and i need to give it a good clean out.

Main thing is i did enjoy myself.

Andy

Hey Andy

Take a step back, don't rush in. Your carb sounds like it's got the remains of old petrol in it, brownish treacle like gunk. You'll be wise to give the grab a complete overhaul. Like wise with the rest of the engine.

Enjoy yourself.

Gerard

Well today i cleaned the carb and popped it back on.

Now today i could feel it firing but not starting, then i finally got it running but it was still difficult to restart.

I'm going to strip and clean the carb at work and also get a new HT lead as although i get a blue spark i think it could be better.

My question is this, "Would you still strip the engine down?"

Andy

A new HT lead is always a good idea, they deteriorate with age. Make sure the points are clean, sdpend time with fine emery doing this. If they can't make a good electrical contact when they're closed they don't work very well. Then make sure the gap is right.

It's a good idea to have a good go at cleaning the carb. I use Wynn's car cleaner, it's expensive but very good, and it'll remove the gunk without having to strip the thing down to the last component.

If you have a spark, and if you have compression (which you'll be able to feel) and you have petrol, then it'll run. No need to strip the power head unless you are not pumping water or you are suffering from poor running through worn rings of crankcase leaks.

Most important - fresh fuel, mixed at the right ratio. Old fuel doesn't seem to work. In fact I have just spent an hour with a seemingly perfect motor trying to make it run on fuel mixed only a couple of monthas ago; fresh fuel sorted it.

wonder what makes seagulls sensitive to fuel not being fresh out of the pump?
maybe compression being a bit on the low side?

Ah well as i have a mercury outboard the fuel mixed for that is 50:1, as i was just playing that's what i tried.

I wanted the reasurance that it ran before i spent time, effort, money and love on it. These are my first seagulls so currently confidence is low, but getting higher the more i play. Once i've tarted it all up i will mix some fresh 10:1 and try again.

But i have read the importance of using a "fresh" mix from various sources.

Collector Inspector wrote:Anything from Sweden.................Bad

I respectfully disagree