Posted on Saturday, April 09, 2005 - 05:41 pm:

---

quote:

Hi.

My partner Bec and I (David) just purchased a 1950's 'Silhouette' trailer sailor (Robert Tucker design) and it has a Stuart Turner motor in it... in need of some work.

We were wondering if anyone could give us any information that might help us get started on restoring this lovely little motor, as we are not even sure what model it is, or its year of manufacture, or what mix to run it on!

The motor is a single cylinder marine with fwd and reverse gear box, is stamped with the number 90945 near one of the mounts. It has a Wico magneto (are they tricky?), has a brass pump, carb and heat exchanger lid.

It has good compression, but no spark when I lay the plug on the head. Also on hand turning the water pump doesn't seem to be drawing (?) - perhaps it needs running speed? The water jacket was corroded inside, but I have cleaned it out and there seems to be plenty of spare 'meat'. I had to replace all the mounting bolts on the exchanger as they had wasted around the gasket. I'm thinking to do an enclosed fresh water system when we reinstall it to avoid such problems (I.e. copper pipe around keel, with an expansion chamber inboard/in line... pumping water and glycol.

Think I'll need a good trap and filter too, to catch any rusty bits yet to break free) Is this would be good?

I'm not thinking to remove the head unless there is some reason. I do wonder what the cavity beneath the water outlet on the head is like, but I can blow through it easily, and as I said the compression seems very good.

We would greatly value and appreciate any guidance, as we are keen to do this motor up and to enjoy using it for many years to come.

David Bell.

---