Gale Sovereign 60 trying to start...linkage problem?

[renobruce]

Hello, Great site here! I searched for my problem, but didn't find an answer. I was recently given a Ward's Seaking 15' boat with a Gale 60HP motor. The guy I got it from said that he had replaced the water pump, and afterward tried to start it and it started but ran rough. He thought the carb just nned to be cleaned up and it should be fine. It was last run in '95. So today I tried to go out and see if it would start. When I try to pull start it, it is really hard...lot of resistance while pulling. I checked to make sure it was out of gear, and here's what I found. If it's in reverse or neutral the prop shaft rotates. If I put it in forward, the prop doesn't rotate, but it is still very hard to pull. It still seems like it's in gear. I took a closer look at the linkage behind the manual gear handle, and it looks like it is working like it should. I removed the small access cover on the other side, and I can see a rod moving up and down when I shift...it looks like it moves maybe one inch up and down. Do I have a linkage problem? I called the guy I got the boat from, and he said that when he last started it, it was easy to pull...about like trying to start a lawn mower or generator. What should I look for? Why is it so hard to pull?
Also, I was trying to figure out what year this motor is so I can try and obtain a manual. The serial number plate does not show a model number, just serial number. Is the model number somewhere else? I looked around, but all I found was a small round metal plug looking thing on the motor that says evinrude, and has the same serial number on it. Any help woluld be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[F_R]

Re: Gale Sovereign 60 trying to start...linkage problem?

Hello, Great site here! I searched for my problem, but didn't find an answer. I was recently given a Ward's Seaking 15' boat with a Gale 60HP motor. The guy I got it from said that he had replaced the water pump, and afterward tried to start it and it started but ran rough. He thought the carb just nned to be cleaned up and it should be fine. It was last run in '95. So today I tried to go out and see if it would start. When I try to pull start it, it is really hard...lot of resistance while pulling. I checked to make sure it was out of gear, and here's what I found. If it's in reverse or neutral the prop shaft rotates. If I put it in forward, the prop doesn't rotate, but it is still very hard to pull. It still seems like it's in gear. I took a closer look at the linkage behind the manual gear handle, and it looks like it is working like it should. I removed the small access cover on the other side, and I can see a rod moving up and down when I shift...it looks like it moves maybe one inch up and down. Do I have a linkage problem? I called the guy I got the boat from, and he said that when he last started it, it was easy to pull...about like trying to start a lawn mower or generator. What should I look for? Why is it so hard to pull?
Also, I was trying to figure out what year this motor is so I can try and obtain a manual. The serial number plate does not show a model number, just serial number. Is the model number somewhere else? I looked around, but all I found was a small round metal plug looking thing on the motor that says evinrude, and has the same serial number on it. Any help woluld be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

That is no Gale Sovereign, that is a 1958 or 1959 Evinrude 50hp with a Gale hood on it. Also affectionatly known as the "Fat 50".

EDIT: The first part of the Evinrude serial number is the model number, and is what you need for the year.

 

[FFScott6]

Re: Gale Sovereign 60 trying to start...linkage problem?

Welcome!
I too have a soveriegn 60. I found the bumbers on the forward face of the motor (transom) mount just above the safety lock. Mine is a 60DE10B. Don't let me steer you wrong. These folks will know by looking, at least to get you in the right direction. Let me start by saying you are in the right place! These folks here have been a real inspiration to me. I mostly read posts but have asked and received.

I can't answer you directly but my motor sat for nearly 7yrs. It was very stiff. I first used seafoam in the cylinders and let it sit. I left my motor mounted and lowered the front of the trailer and locked the motor up position. Several days later I started working it by hand a bit forward then back and so on. Of course I had a manual by then and printed several posts related to "awakening a sleeping outboard" (found here). I spent hours adjusting all the linkage, linc & sinc and so forth. Don't skip any steps. I did and got nothing. After filing the points to a new shine I tried her again and viola I made it to the water this year albeit late august! I don't no anything about 2cycle motors but it is ablast learning and now we get to go boating.

Have fun! and do not be discouraged! I'll follow your post and offer what I can. Search my screen name for a couple of Pics.

Scott

 

[FFScott6]

Re: Gale Sovereign 60 trying to start...linkage problem?

There ya go!

They are good!

 

[renobruce]

Re: Gale Sovereign 60 trying to start...linkage problem?

That is no Gale Sovereign, that is a 1958 or 1959 Evinrude 50hp with a Gale hood on it. Also affectionatly known as the "Fat 50".

EDIT: The first part of the Evinrude serial number is the model number, and is what you need for the year.

Ah Ha!! Thanks for that. The serial number is 50012-01368

I'll remove the plugs and soak the cylinders. But why when I put it in reverse or neutral does the prop turn, but when I put it in forward it doesn't??

 

[F_R]

Re: Gale Sovereign 60 trying to start...linkage problem?

Ah Ha!! Thanks for that. The serial number is 50012-01368

I'll remove the plugs and soak the cylinders. But why when I put it in reverse or neutral does the prop turn, but when I put it in forward it doesn't??

50012 is a 1958 Evinrude 50hp.

The prop should not turn when in forward or reverse. If it does, something is goofed up. No way of knowing what it is from here. You will have to examine the linkage for looseness and the lower unit gearcase for oil (could be worn out from no oil or water in the oil).

 

[renobruce]

Re: Gale Sovereign 60 trying to start...linkage problem?

Thanks for your response, F R. Just to verify, should the prop spin freely in neutral, or is there always some drag?

 

[F_R]

Re: Gale Sovereign 60 trying to start...linkage problem?

Thanks for your response, F R. Just to verify, should the prop spin freely in neutral, or is there always some drag?

It should spin freely. Well, of course there is some friction in the bearings and oil, but not enough to notice unless you are really looking for it.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Gale Sovereign 60 trying to start...linkage problem?

You can also jump that motor to start it, with a set of ordinary battery cables. Disconnect the hot lead from the harness to the starter. Run a red battery cable, or jumper cable, from the starter hot post to the battery pos post. Same with the black cable, from neg post on battery to ground point on engine block. When you want to turn it over, touch the ground (black) cable to the ground point on the block. If your starter is good, it will crank the engine over. I always pull the plugs and put some penetrating oil in the cylinders before starting any motor for the first time. Then I crank it with the starter to check both compression and spark. As FR said, no way to tell on the shifting problem from here...drain the LU and check the oil/lube. Prop should spin freely in N, but should engage pretty quickly in F and N. There's not a whole lot of travel in the shift linkage.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Gale Sovereign 60 trying to start...linkage problem?

The shift rod connector has 2 bolts they pass through grooves in the rods
If they missed the grooves the linkage would be off.