Saving Old Seagulls

Is it possible to retrofit a lip-seal gearbox (or housing?) onto an unsealed forty?

I know I read a discussion about this, but I am really sorry that I can't remember where or what the outcome was

The water-pump housing is a different design to the fixed-drive equivalent, so if you go for it the result would have non-standard driveshaft casing and driveshaft lengths. Thus:

...cut the driveshaft casing tube to length
...cut the driveshaft to length
...drill and tap the driveshaft casing to accept a engineering stud
...mod a clutch rod to fit

And another thing - the driveshaft casing diameters are fractionally different so you may need a tube from a clutched model anyhow, which would at least save the bother of tapping the fixed-drive casing.

Or buy a clutched model.

Thank you! I agree with the last sentiment then. Not that the work is too awful to consider but there seem to be enough Seagulls around!