Was the only bidder on eBay for a 40+. Got it for the reserve price of £50. Turns out to be almost new - a 1968 bird to top up my aviary as was until now without a 40 Plus - I gave my last one away to a needy nephew. No idea when it was last started.
When I got it home I put fresh fuel in it and took to the river. Very pleased to report that it fired on the first pull and started on the second- it runs as sweet as a brand new engine. Most pleased. Came with a Seagull display stand.
Her indoors was not so pleased however when she noticed that when I brought it home there were another two Seagulls accompanying it - how could I possibly leave them - bargains they were - a little 40 minus and a very very early bird which is not quite fresh - so that makes eight Seagulls now........ need a bigger aviary and several more boats to match em all......
Robin
The early bird is a Little Forty of 1954 vintage - a new variety for me. I am surprised to see that it has a round bladed prop - 4 blades like flower petals, not like a Hydrofan at all - more like the weedless varieties of much more modern Gulls.
It also has just two small holes for the water cooling intake rather than slots and a slightly different gearbox housing from later 40 Plus models and the Forrty Featherweight pictured in the foreground. The 40 Featherweight could easily be got back into service, the Little Forty will be more challenging. Welcome additions to the flock - cost £20 the pair!
Robin
Hi Oyster- the oldie is stamped LS on the crankcase - it could of course be a bitsa engine although it all looks to be of the same vintage to me - don't know what an FV or FVP box is - before my time of course
Robin
Incidentally I am sure the small holes for the water intake would be troublesome in some tidal condtions. I had the Silver Century in use of the Fowey a few days ago. After the big storms and big tides the river was toppers with flotsam and jetsom. Fortunately at one stage I noticed that the engine water cooling had completely stopped - huge lump of leaves across the intakes. With the small holes I guess they would block much more readily - a product improvement for the later engines - I am not sure how today's modern engines with the tiny cooling outlet tell tale would cope with all that junk in the water even if they do benefit from weedless props. Air cooled Hondas would be fine of course.
Robin
Robin,
Lucky fellow! The LS is certainly a good find. Well done. I have had weed block the rectangular shaped intake, although i think the biggest problem with weed is with the prop. it seems once weed gets around these small 6" props you loose what little thrust they have. Certainly this year, the river Yealm was full of weed and debris.
Serial number and more photos please!
Adrian,
I only have two Fs - there must be more out there to play with, but if you are playing with two cylinder engines......
Keith, you said that the screw in drive tube was correct for an early LS - i was wondering whether all LSs had that arrangement or whether the later ones had a clamp bolt as per SJMs and SJPs?
The engine identifier on this site calls an LS a 'LIttle Model Forty'. I was wondering whether this description should refer to just the F,FV and LM?
Should the FVP and LS be described as a Forty Plus? It would appear that a brochure (?) refers to the LS as a Super Forty Plus.
Survived Christmas Day! Now have just got to avoid having arguements with more relatives....
Yes, Charles, I was very fortunate in acquiring my two Fs; plus of course a great dollop of beginners luck.
I wish had a bit more luck in getting FV2821 working. I will be posting in a day or two a request for advice on how to get the compression up to a working value.
Got it for the reserve price of £50. Turns out to be almost new - a 1968 bird to top up my aviary as was until now without a 40 Plus - I gave my last one away to a needy nephew. No idea when it was last started.
