Saving Old Seagulls

Water jacket cleaned out, and gearbox examined tonight, it was pumped completely full of grease! Under some pressure too, as the end cap lifted off, when the bolts were undone. Dirty horrible job getting it all out

Now all cleaned out, just that broken bolt to have a look at. Good news is that there is no wear at all in the bushes.

New coil ordered from Villiers parts, so this should be back together next week

Still looking for a 3 blade bargepusher prop? If anybody has one let me know

Oyster 49 wrote: Fri Mar 05, 2021 10:31 pm just that broken bolt to have a look at.

Pop it in the post and I will get it out for you Adrian, easy method is with a mig welder.

send the cylinder and I will dingle berry hone it for you as well

H-A I’ve dropped you an email

Whilst cleaning the gearbox parts I noticed the prop shaft was bent. A bit of persuasion sorted it out.

Welding a washer and a nut did not work, just sheared it off again, so plan b.

Pop it in the milling machine and drill out 6.8mm or No. 22 drill.
Will wait till the weekend so I have a bit more time.

I was quite surprised how big it is, should have a 40HP on top

Looking good. That bolt was proper solid, I heated it up first, and it still sheared! Like the mounting in the mill
Thanks for the help

Powerhead now back together, new securing studs fitted, a few rust patches on the cylinder wire brushed, and wiped over with WD40, no other work.

New coil arrived, quick delivery from George, so magneto will be back together tomorrow, good progress

I’m doing little or no cosmetic work on this engine, given the general good condition, as I want to preserve the patina, but it will be fully overhauled.

And the stuck bolt is out, took a bit of work but result is pretty good.
Just fitted in the mill with a couple of mil clearance.

Center drilled first, then followed up with 6.5mm drill.
Nice when you can uncoil the threads
And some of it comes out with the tap
Worked out well, thread is all there but a little looser than a fresh thread, If you are making a new bolt, make it a few thou bigger.

Good result I feel.

Nice one I’ll make a slightly bigger bolt, and just nip it down. Perfect

More progress, gearbox arrived from from H-A, engine now coming together next job to overhaul the HT lead, petrol tap and tank, again minimum work to overhaul but no cosmetic work other than cleaning and making good.

It is great to see an old Seagull being brought back to life in a quick, simple and very skilled manner. I say simple, and I mean by that, it is being done in an uncomplicated, straight forward, experienced and knowledgeable manner, with no bullshit or ego getting in the way.

Well done Adrain and Allan. Lovely to see your work.

Jeremy

Cheers Jeremy, I'm certainly very interested in preserving originality where its possible nowadays, its only original once, and with this very rare engine that's important. Luckily it was very oily and well preserved, a big bonus.
With this one I'm overhauling but little or no cosmetic work, apart from a clean up. I even went as far as finding an original gearbox bolt off another engine to avoid using a shiney new one

So, the only new parts will be 1 coil, 1 HT lead, 2 studs, 2 coil studs and nuts, and a couple of spring washers and gaskets. Oh and a NOS spark plug.

Lets see more of these rebuilds on here!

Doing a bit more, HT lead made up, using cloth covered cable, magneto assembled, and tested, nice blue spark from a NOS 8 COM plug! Carb stripped for cleaning. Just waiting a pair of new jets from John, and the gearbox end cap gasket, seems I got the last two John had in stock

Just the tank to clean and fuel tap to overhaul, then finished

I've got a four bladed prop to use for now, courtesy of Jerseyman, and with H-A's help with the gearbox, and some parts from John, a nice collaborative effort all round