Forty Minus engine number??

[JERSEYMAN]

Hello All, I have just picked up a forty minus but I don't really understand the engine number, so I don't know year of manufacture,

The engine number is; SJM 195 R9

I guess it's been refurbished at some time but am not sure what the R9 mean?

Many Thanks, Rene

[Vic]

See the "Engine Code Identifier" ( SJM195 = 1955-56 ) and the section titled "Identify your British Seagull" on the SOS website. (Links at the top of the forum index)

[JERSEYMAN]

Hi, but what does the "R9" mean?

[charlesp]

The 'R' means it was returned to the factory for Refurbish/Restore/Rebuild. They used to do a pretty good job; I'm told that if you sent your motor back for this service you would end up with an engine that was as good as new.

The '9' is a little more difficult. I know that there was an attempt to depict the year of rebuild, probably during the sixties or seventies, so it could mean a 1969 or a 1979 rebuild. My guess would be 1969.

[JERSEYMAN]

Hello, Thank You for your help, I try to keep a record and when the numbers don't make sense it's difficult to know exactly what you have, the more I work on these engines the more quirks there seem to be, part of the fun eh!

Great forum, helpful members, seagull ownership would not be the same without you guys, Thanks.

Rene