Little Model 40/model 40

[Gannet]

As an owner of an FV, I am interested in the slightly older F.
Can somebody tell me how an F differs from an FV.
Thanks.
Jeremy

[charlesp]

The slightly older F was British Seagull's first attempt a a 'Little Model Forty'

Most of the motor was identical in all respects to the FV, but the cylinder head casting was a bit different, and most importantly it had a tiny Amal carburettor. This had a strange screw-adjustable choke.

They only made a few, and then changed to the more familiar FV (orVF) with the Villiers carburettor with which we are all familiar.

The 'V' in the model designation refers to the Villiers carburettor.

[charlesp]

Here is a photo of one of the little fellers:

The cylinder head fins are different, as I say, but I can't locate a good shot.

I can only imagine that a short run of 100 (that's all they made) had an interesting story behind it, but I guess we'll never know!

[Niander101]

Love that carb

[Gannet]

Thank you Charles for that information. I thought that there might be a greater difference.
I think the small light FVs (and Fs) are just right for a small boat tender.
Thanks again.
Jeremy

[charlesp]

They are my favourite motors. They can be little so-and-so's to strip, and the threaded attachment to the water pump housing is the sort of thing you end up swearing at, but I love them.

I'm always a sucker for something cute. In other walks of life it has cost me dear.

[Gannet]

Yes, I have stripped three drive shaft tubes off the pump housing. One just unscrewed without any trouble, another took a lot of effort, and I gave up on the other one as the end thread of the tube was damaging the thread in the housing.

I always wonder what the 'best' prop is for these FVs powering a light dinghy or inflatable. Is it the 3 or 4 bladed cloverleaf one; or indeed the later 4 bladed rectangular one. Any views? The weed collecting characteristics are first class on all of them!
Jeremy

[charlesp]

I like the cloverleaf ones. The shape pleases me, and they were after all designed for this motor. The straight bladed ones came later for the 64cc Forties

[Gannet]

Yes, but which is the most efficient/powerfull? Staying with the cute angle - I think it has got to be the 3 or 4 bladed cloverleaf - but which one?
Jeremy

[Oyster 49]

The little forty has got to be the best seagull around The little tank, and clover leaf props are fantastic. Every seagull fan should have at least 1 FV. Best thing since sliced bread

[Gannet]

Yes, although I have very limited knowledge of other models, I really like my FVs. They are nice and light and power my inflatable dinghy and my small pram dinghy very satisfactorly. Although the short central tiller looks unusual, I think ithe design works well, although the throttle cable routing is a bit problematic - the tilting tiller version is better in this respect.
Jeremy