British Anzani - 5 hp Super Single

[Rogermac]

There’s an awful lot of Anzani bashing going on in this thread. Maybe my experiences will redress the balance somewhat. If the Seagull buffs (I’m one of those too) find it heresy, apologies.

We had our first Anzani Super Single circa 1948, when I was but a boy. It was one of the original round tank models and served us well right through the 1950s until we traded it in, in 1960 for a lighter weight Anzani. The Super Single was a robust, reliable, well engineered piece of kit and the only problem we had with it that I am aware of was something to do with the crankcase when it was still under guarantee.

Addressing some specific points:
1. The vacuum cooling system has two drawbacks – there is no tell-tale so the cylinder has to be checked manually for cooling, and secondly you can’t test it in a barrel since the turbulence set up by the prop destroys the vacuum. On the plus side there is no impeller to fail, often the bane of small outboards. Basically, if the pipe unions are tight and the vacuum preserved then it has to work unless the system is clogged and no outboard will run with a clogged system.

2. Noise and vibration – all outboards are noisy and vibrate and the Super Single seemed no worse to me than any other of that vintage.

3. Power output was good – it would push our 14ft clinker boat at maximum displacement speed, which neither a 102 or Century would do.

In the 1970s I had a loan of a well used Super Single for a few weeks and have to admit I used it in preference to my Seagull. It was a kind of 'for old times sake' thing.(That is heresy, sorry boys!) Such is my confidence, and not a little nostalgia, that I recently took delivery of one of the ‘New/Old’ Super Singles from Anzani. I think it came from Singapore, took a while, as I needed a long shaft, but they found one for me. I look forward to trying it out when I’ve done a major boat refit. I can tell you that these ‘New/Old’ Super Singles are in remarkable condition considering they have been lying around since 1970ish, and are obviously unused.

This is in no way meant to be a pro-Anzani, anti-Seagull rant. I am also the proud owner of a 1958 vintage Seagull which I inherited in 1968, has had a lot of use and is still running.

[twostrokenut]

Roger , glad you've been the first to post , now I can have my say. Anything Anzani have produced has always , in my opinion , been very well engineered.My only downpoint , being the lack of some guide as to whether the Super Singles were cooling properly , it would have been a fairly simple obstacle to overcome.
One thing where they were head and shoulders better (again in my opinion)was the ignition systems were made by a company that specialised in this field , Villiers coils were a truly putred piece of electrical engineering , their only saviour being that fitted to a Seagull , they thus ran much cooler , and gave a quite reasonable degree of reliability , however put them on what they were made for , air cooled industial and Motor Cycle engines , and chocolate fireguard springs to mind.
So yes Anzanis , were well engineered , durable and reliable , never achieved the success that Seagulls have , but nevertheless an important contributor to our GREAT BRITISH engineering history.

A bit like Marmite really , you love them or hate them , I'm with the former.

Andy.

[Rogermac]

2strokenut, In return I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks Anzanis are good bits of kit.

I've used Seagulls and Anzanis in about equal measure since the late 1950s and like to think I can see the good and bad in both and like both immensely.

Being no engineer I can't really comment on ignition systems but the ignition system on a 1960 Anzani is still working, never been touched, but has had to be replaced on a 1958 Seagull 40+ just the once. Not statistically valid, just personal experience. But that's a total of 96 'engine years' with one ignition change - echoes your comment about GREAT BRITISH engineering history.

The look of Marmite reminds me of castrolease underwater grease. Sadly, the former is still in production, the latter isn't.

[niander]

In the 1970s I had a loan of a well used Super Single for a few weeks and have to admit I used it in preference to my Seagull. It was a kind of 'for old times sake' thing.(That is heresy, sorry boys!)

Burn him!

Burn him!

sorry joke!..... ....

actually i love making up seagull bitzas...also heresy!....lolz

[bonzounck]

hi i have a 2.5 pilot it runs half pint oil to one gallon petrol i would like to no what condenser a 2.5 pilot uses can someone help me im in New Zealand cheers

[Hugz]

I have one of those but seeing it runs so well I've never had the need to take the flywheel off. This site would be more useful for you. They have a forum which will help: http://www.britishanzani.co.uk/ You could also drop a line to George at http://www.villiersparts.co.uk/wip.html Wipac ignition I believe.

Ps Bruce: the wipac fuel filter on the above villiers site... how similar is it to the Olympic filter?

[Collector Inspector]

I will try answer intwo parts, hope it helps Guys.

Pilot probably has Miller Ignition System, pics of points and condenser to check that. Any mag condenser 1.60 - 1.80 M.F.D. that fits into the clamping bracket can be sourced from most lawnmower shops and definitely small engine rebuilders. My Youtube effort for "Mike" the Pilot, may be of interest.

http://www.youtube.com/user/alectraproj ... RuMQd5Xb60

HuggY matE

That Wipac filter is really close and may as well be used if you wish. Pics of two genuine ones follow. This may sound a little Crazzzzzy but they have, wait for it......"Sy.Co" brand cast on them? Eh?

1/8th Female way to go.

Maybe a bit more local to us is Bynorm who supply all sorts of goodies to lawnmower and small engine repair shops.

Find their online cat here, I think they have something similer buried in it..............(YEP! page 130)

http://www.bynorm.com.au/index.php?page=24

Pics

Hope this helps

B

[daveyorks]

hi i got a pilot30 but its missing the big end shells,if anyone knows where i can get some id be gratefull

[Collector Inspector]

Sorry, had a look last week in boxes of stuff (Redbacks) and only have elderly Pilot stuff. They had no shells. You may well have a problem.

Suggest you get yorself a micrometer and start hunting small engine rebuilders.

Get the measurements as to what you have, a bearing scraper and a helpfull supplier.

You will sort it Mate!

B

[bonzounck]

mine runs half pint oil to one gallon petrol

[Hugz]

In a moment of madness I bought a filter on ebay from India..... <shudder>

Yes 16/1....

[daveyorks]

thanks for the reply inspector il keep looking on the bay for a donor

[bonzounck]

hi can someone help me with info on 2.5 anzani pilot coil what to use for an after market coil im in new zealand cheers james