Seagull outboard

Allan

Allan

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I've just bought a Seagull outboard from Ebay. I'm told it doesn't start so will have to sort that out. Before I ask for help to start it I will change the plug, strip and clean the carb and check the magneto output. Assuming I can get it to start what other things should I do in the way of servicing?
I believe it is a forty featherlight, it has a gear/clutch lever near the flywheel. Once I have identified it fully, I will need a manual. Is there anywhere to download one?
Allan
 
Already mentioned is the Saving Old Seagulls site. Very worthwhile.

Somewhere on their forum it tells you how to re-energise your magneto. Basically remove plug, and find a suitable sized socket to fit the nut on the flywheel casing, make up a suitable fitting (1/2 square?) to fit socket, and round off other end to fit electric drill. Spin the flywheel with the drill for about 4 minutes, and this should do the trick.

It certainly did on my old outboard, which I hadn't started for about 10 years.

Geoff
 
Pete7 said:
Lots of stuff on here:

http://www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/

Pete
Click to expand...

And lots of help on the associated forum http://www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/phpbb3/index.php

The Seagull workshop manual is only £11.20 and is available from Sheridan Marine http://www.sheridanmarine.com/product/british-seagull-outboard-workshop-manual

With a clutch it is not a Feather weight, they were fixed drive ( and a shorter shaft that the standard 16" models)

There is an engine identifier on the SOS website ... enter the engine number and it will tell you model year and maybe month.

Lots of pictures to compare it with on http://www.britishseagullparts.com/outboards/index.htm
 
Yes, with a clutch it is a 40+ not a featherweight. It will almost certainly also have electronic ignition so it either works or it doesn't!

Best not to "service" it too much. Just make sure the plug cap and lead are sound and that the fuel system is clean, including the fuel tank and the little filter in the tap. If it has not been run for a while, you may find a squirt of oil into the carb intake as you are turning it over will help build compression. Once it is running check there is water coming out of the outlet in the block.
 
Yes, with a clutch it is a 40+ not a featherweight. It will almost certainly also have electronic ignition so it either works or it doesn't!
Click to expand...
Or it could be one of the larger models !

But why almost certain to be electronic ignition. Surely only fitted from about 1978 onwards.
 
Yes, it could be a 102 cc, in which case if it has a clutch and a magneto then it will be a Silver Century Plus - not normally a dinghy engine.

If it is a 40+ with a clutch it is post 78 anyway so will be electronic - could even have a recoil starter as well - and may be branded a "55"
 
Tranona said:
Yes, it could be a 102 cc, in which case if it has a clutch and a magneto then it will be a Silver Century Plus - not normally a dinghy engine.

If it is a 40+ with a clutch it is post 78 anyway so will be electronic - could even have a recoil starter as well - and may be branded a "55"
Click to expand...

If only people posted the engine number with a query like this we'd all know what it is ;)
 
Ours was not started for 13 years.

We got it out the shed and it started third pull!!!! This was on old petrol and with no clearing or reenegising etc!!!
 
mucklestone said:
Ours was not started for 13 years.

We got it out the shed and it started third pull!!!! This was on old petrol and with no clearing or reenegising etc!!!
Click to expand...

My Seagull Silver Century was stored in 1978. I started it in 2006 and like you it started third pull. "The Best Outboard Motor for the World" :D
 
Appledore said:
Already mentioned is the Saving Old Seagulls site. Very worthwhile.

Somewhere on their forum it tells you how to re-energise your magneto. Basically remove plug, and find a suitable sized socket to fit the nut on the flywheel casing, make up a suitable fitting (1/2 square?) to fit socket, and round off other end to fit electric drill. Spin the flywheel with the drill for about 4 minutes, and this should do the trick.

It certainly did on my old outboard, which I hadn't started for about 10 years.

Geoff
Click to expand...

Worked on mine too, but whatever you do don't try this trick on any other magneto. It will destroy it.
 
The serial code is stamped on the crankcase just above the thinner of the two vertical tubes. If you post that here I will tell you what model you have and when it was made. Others may get there first.

If you don't have a spark don't do the spinning trick before exhausting all other possibilities, you my damage things. First thing to do is thoroughly clean the points and gap them properly. If you still don't have a spark then try another HT lead.

Buy a manual from British Seagull, who are still able to supply virtually all the bits, or buy it from John Williams at Saving Old Seagulls. He too can supply all the bits, and stocks vast amounts of used spares which are much cheaper.

The support forum at :http://www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/phpbb3/index.php is one of the best support forums anywhere; you'll get all the answers you need there.
 
You haven't bought an engine, you have acquired a hobby & load of new friends. Congratulations, enjoy it. The soft blue haze & the distinctive putt-putt together with the rainbow sheen on the waters will mark you out as an enthusiast & a character wherever you use it. :cool:
 
I recently bought a 1989 EFPC, not very pretty but appears to work O.K. Whilst thinking about the parts required for the rebuild, I accidentally bought a 1979 EFPC with a cracked block for a fraction of the price. Now I am thinking about rebuilding the second one and I am looking for parts ....... where will it all end?

Is it possible to only buy one?

Allan ... Perhaps we should start a "South West and Wales Seagulls Annonymous" self help group.
 
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my seagull has finally gone to the great marina in the sky, so I have a small booklet called 'British Seagull Handbook' which is now redundant. Mine was a 40 plus but the booklet doesn't seem to be specific to any particular model. If you PM me I'll drop it in the post, although as others have siad the Saving Old Seagulls website probably has all that you'll need.
 
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