Saving Old Seagulls

Well here it is. This Seagull was found abandoned in a shed under a pile of junk. I cleaned everything, replaced all fluids and fired her up. Goes better than expected. It will "tick over" at surprisingly slow revs which i was amazed at. Is in pretty good nick for 40 years old but i think im preaching to the converted here.
Hopoe you all like the pics...Ill be asking more questions soon on some dismantling topics so any good advice would be appreciated. Jesse

Nice engine, all original by the looks of it. We all like photos here

One problem, even though you don't realise it you are already in trouble. You will have several more of these engines within weeks and will be looking for old rare ones under hedges, in strangers sheds, and in barns. Join the club

Ha ha, yeah i reckon. Now that i know it runs well, i think ill strip the exhaust down and clean it as I imagine it will be a bit grubby onder the exhaust tube.

That does look a clean engine, here is my silver century. I still haven't taken my mate on for a race up the creek due work commitments mucking up the fun in my life.

Anyway if it helps, viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2800

Andy

Bit of advice ...if it aint broke ..dont fix it!
So dont dismantle it unless you have to or you may make problems
if it runs well i wouldn't do major dismantling
these things sometimes dont come apart easily

Yeah thats probably good advice i reckon.

Does anyone know how to get that big fat eaxhaust tube off ? Ive had every nut and screw/bolt out, cleaned and back in place one at a time so far so thats all good, nothing is seized or snapped off.

I havnt separated any gaskets other than the bottom crown/pinion cover yet so its sealing hasnt yet been comprimised.

jesse

Drop the two bolts off at the top of the drive tube. The inner one is a bitch unless you have the correct spanner. The drive shaft and the gearbox will come off leaving the exhaust tube and coolant pipe (in the ex tube) attached to the cylinder block. Loosen the collar at the top of the ex tube and now the fun begins! You may need to use heat to prise it off. I generally use large screwdrivers for leverage. Good luck.

That seems pretty straight forward (i say now)...Thanks for that. I would just like to clean the exhaust because after i ran it and it warmed up, when i stopped the old girl it was haemoraging this black crap from the bottom of the large exhaust tube so id say its caked in goop on the inside. Every screw and fastener has been removed and put back so far so it will just be a case of freeing the large tube at the top. Ill keep you posted.

Cheers all.

All my gulls have black goop coming out of the ex tube! It is just an empty tube with no baffles so there no probs of blocking up and causing back pressure. While you have it off tho it is worth wiring up the union that joins the water pipe to the block as they have been known to come adrift. You might consider rejetting your carb to 1 to 25 oil mix which will reduce the amount of unburnt oil. John has the jets I believe.

http://www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/bu ... spares.htm

Edit: There is a school of thought, though, that more oil is better for lubrication and longevity. The ethical dilemma is the environment...

I probably hurt the environment more by using my chainsaw than this given that it wont get a heck of alot of use. ha ha . I would like to clean it for peice of mind.

I used to compete as an axeman. Not sure if you have the sport over there. No smoke but plenty of sparks!

More attached to a well balanced Keech racing axe than a gull....

Recently been invited to an old timers comp. Probably chop my bloody foot off!

I'm so tempted.