Dick Pretel’s demand for more performance from his model racing boats led to him making several modifications to this popular English built marine engine in 1997. Pretel, of California, designed and constructed a lightweight aluminum connecting rod and developed a new piston to increase compression. His newly designed head included four valves and an extra exhaust pipe for better breathing. The carburetor was extended on a riser for better fuel efficiency. Increased performance means increased heat, so Dick hollowed out the head for water cooling to circumvent the increases in temperature.
“Gannet” Single-Cylinder, Water-Cooled Marine Engine
