Bill:
I just found a brass shutoff valve, complete with mesh filter, in a
lawnmower shop, which seems to be a perfect fit to replace the leaking
plastic Seagull shutoff valve. You probably have the brass Seagull valve
like my original one.
I have a spare tilt-up latch that someone gave me. Let me know if you need
it. I had to replace a broken one when I bought the boat and motor in 1970
and have been using it ever since. I don't know how you would break one.
Probably someone couldn't figure out what was holding the engine up and
forced it.
>
>Two things I have not been able to discover that perhaps you can
>help me with:
>
>1. Is this engine supposed to have a "kill switch"? If so, how
>is it rigged.
No kill switch. The manual says to just close the throttle to kill the
engine. That normally works. If it doesn't, put your palm or thumb over the
air intake. I've occasionally had to do that, for no particular reason that
I could tell. Incidentally, at the lowest running speed, the engine should
sound a little rough. It is only supposed to fire every other cycle at low
speed to ensure lubrication or something. The manual warns against tuning
for a smooth idle.
>
>2. Is it supposed to have an air filter? Mine just has an open
>throated black plastic flange.
No air filter. My carb intake flange is metal. I did have an accessory
"storm cowl" at one time, which was black plastic, as I recall. My sheet
caught on it and flipped it into the drink. It's purpose was to prevent the
engine from swallowing a mouthful of water, as mine did a couple of times
when I tried to surf on a wake. The storm cowl seemed to increase fuel
consumption though. You may have the remains of a storm cowl after the
outer part was lost. If so, you can remove it and throw it away.
The last time I checked, Sailorman had the parts catalog with illustrations
on line. That might help you tell what's what if you don't have a parts
catalog.
I presume you know the gas to oil mixture is 10:1 unless you have a later
model that used a different fuel ratio. I put a pint of oil in a can then
pump in 1.25 gallons (10 pt) of gas.
And don't forget your earplugs.
Welcome to the wonderland of the classic Seagull!
Harry