Saving Old Seagulls

can anyone help when i pull the rope on my seagull the propeller turn round with it is that meant to happen got it whit my boat still trying to get it to work put a new spark plug in it still not working ?

If you post the model number stamped on the lower part of the crankcase, we will have a better idea of how to help you. Some [most?] Seagulls are direct drive meaning that the motor is always in forward gear, that would explain why the propeller turns when you pull the cord.
You need to first find out what petrol/oil mix the motor takes either 10:1 or 25:1, then empty whatever is in the tank, check to see if it is clean [do you see a bare metal tank bottom?]. If and when it is clean or has been cleaned out, add new fuel oil mix, open screw in fuel fill cap, open fuel tap valve just below tank, push down on carb button [top of carb] till fuel drips out, put choke full on, pull on starter rope. If it does not show some sign of wanting to start in 3 or 4 pulls, check to see if there is spark [out of bright sunlight]. if there is no spark. Repost and someone will help you with more directions.

Once it runs for half a minute, turn choke to off position. By the way, it should be run in water or a water filled trash bin or something similar Then shut it down and check the fluid level of the lower unit [prop. gearcase] by removing the plastic plug. With the motor standing straight up it should be just about to drip some out. If not get correct heavy lube oil [SAE 140 weight on most pre '80s motors]

no, is 188a8 wil that help

Not yet! We will need the letters that come first. That'll tell us which model you have.

SJP, CPC, that sort of thing.

sorry it F188A8 i thing that no,that all i got mate cheers for u help

Inputting that number into the Engine Identifier on the main website tells us that it is a January 1968 Featherweight. The smallest engine in the range with shorter shaft length than is standard on other engines.

clutches were not an option on the Featherweight ... but it should be obvious that it has no clutch lever! So the prop always turns

Originally it would have used a 10:1 fuel mix but it is possible that the carb needle has been changed in order to run on 25:1. There are details on the main website of the identifying numbers on the carb needle.

SAE is the correct oil for the gear case ... change it but it is normal for them to run on a mix of oil and water as the gearbox is not sealed like those of more fancy motors

The Featherweight contains the least quantity of gear oil, less than any other gearbox in the Seagull range, please bear that in mind & change the oil more often than recommended in the Seagull user manual.

SAE / EP 140 is a lot cheaper than a lower unit rebuild!