61 Sea King 5 hp question

[mettyfish]

I pulled block and replaced impeller and put a new style Evinrude fuel pump on this motor. Boat tested it this past weekend and it runs incredible. Almost like a brand new motor. But I did notice a few drips of water coming from around the head gasket area. Should I just run it like that or replace the head gasket? I really don't want to pull block again. Thanks for your help. Mettyfish

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 61 Sea King 5 hp question

Yup, replace the head gasket, for sure. It won't fix itself and you don't want water in a cylinder. The head gasket should be the same as for an Evinrude or Johnson 5 hp from about the same year or earlier.

 

[mettyfish]

Re: 61 Sea King 5 hp question

Thanks CATransplant. I knew you were gonna say that. Any idea of torque settings? Wish I could do it without pulling block again. Any good way to get to those screws without pulling it? Thanks, Mettyfish

 

[F_R]

Re: 61 Sea King 5 hp question

Only one problem. It doesn't have a head or a head gasket. That is merely a water cover. A Gale exclusive. A drop or two of leakage won't hurt anything other than be a worry.

 

[mettyfish]

Re: 61 Sea King 5 hp question

Oh, then I dont have to fix it. I did go look for an Evinrude head gasket today and the evinrude of that era didn't look like anything close to mine. So FR that is just a cover and I really don't need to worry about it. About 4 drips in 20 minutes of running. Thanks, Mettyfish

 

[JasonAych]

Re: 61 Sea King 5 hp question

At some point in the late 50's the Gale 5hp was changed over to the same engine as the Evinrude/Johnson and they discontinued the "wedge head" uni-block design.

Easy check. If you have bolts in sort of a hexagon configuration around each spark plug hole you have a removable head. The side plates F_R is referring to have flat head screws and on the sides. Head bolts would be hex head bolts and on the top.

 

[JasonAych]

Re: 61 Sea King 5 hp question

Actually, i think the engine only changed on the "deluxe" model. So you might have the "wedge head"

 

[mettyfish]

Re: 61 Sea King 5 hp question

I don't have any bolts just screws for a slotted screw driver. Thats where I get a drip from. Is that the wedge head?

 

[JasonAych]

Re: 61 Sea King 5 hp question

Yes, sounds like the wedge head (actually shaped like a wedge).

Here are a few pictures of an earlier wedge head from an eBay auction. There may be a few differences from yours like mounting bosses:
http://vintageboatparts.com/parts/1parts/23/seaking5/powerhead/Picture%20027.jpg

http://vintageboatparts.com/parts/1parts/23/seaking5/powerhead/Picture%20023.jpg

http://vintageboatparts.com/parts/1parts/23/seaking5/powerhead/Picture%20026.jpg

 

[JasonAych]

Re: 61 Sea King 5 hp question

The powehead in this auction is the other engine (non-wedgehead) I am refering to.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/brooklure-johnson-evinrude-outboard-motor-powerhead-ok-/350336875880?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item5191b47d68

Another on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6lAMXnDfSI

I was mistaken. They are slotted bolts not hex head.

 

[F_R]

Re: 61 Sea King 5 hp question

1961 Gales are NOT wedge head (side covers). They have a water cover where a cylinder head would be if it were a Johnson or Evinrude. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

 

[JasonAych]

Re: 61 Sea King 5 hp question

I'll buy that Thanks for the clarification F_R. I assumed that was a head. I was looking for a later Gale 5hp but was bummed when I thought they had a removable "head". I like that fact that there are less failure points, , heads having a lot of potential. In my profession, we try to eliminate as many failure points as possible. Now that I know they are actually just water chamber covers, I like it even more. I will definately be picking up one of these at some point.

 

[mettyfish]

Re: 61 Sea King 5 hp question

Alright gentlemen, you got me all confused so I will include a pic of my block. It seems to drip a little around the gasket where the middle tabs stick out on the end cover. So by looking at pic does it have a head gasket or is that just a cover. Do I need to get a new gasket or not worry about it. Thanks for all the help. Mettyfish

 

[F_R]

Re: 61 Sea King 5 hp question

Your gasket is leaking because that motor has been overheated. Notice the burnt paint?

Nevertheless, it is like I said, it is only a water chamber cover, not a head gasket. It won't actually hurt anything by dripping unless it gets worse and water runs onto the spark plugs, making it misfire.

I would be more concerned about the exhaust cover gasket on the side. That is also affected by running hot, and it is possible that it could squirt water into the exhaust ports, severly damaging the powerhead. Yeah, I know, that cover normally gets hot----at least most of it does. But there is a water channel up the forward edge. I am concerned about water leaking out of that channel.

 

[mettyfish]

Re: 61 Sea King 5 hp question

It might have got hot at some point. But I did change impeller and boat tested it this past weekend and it ran like a sewing machine. Unbelievable. I didn't expect a 61 would run like it did. So do I be concerned or not? is that end gasket still made or match up to an evinrude model? Thanks, Mettyfish

 

[F_R]

Re: 61 Sea King 5 hp question

All OMC outboard parts, be they Evinrude, Johnson, or Gale, are now sold by BRP (Evinrude dealers). That is they are if the part is still made. Any time the part was used on more than one brand name, it still carries the same part number, so brand name is of no concern.

In your case, the cylinder cap gasket is part number 552625, and the exhaust cover gasket is part number 303439. Both are available from any Evinrude dealer. Unfortunatly, iboats doesn't carry them.

 

[mettyfish]

Re: 61 Sea King 5 hp question

Looking at this block again I don't think it has been hot or has burnt paint. It just seems very dirty like 50 years of grease and dirt build up. The other side is all the same color. Very white. I dont think it would run as good as it does if it overheated. Just my observation though. Thanks Mettyfish

 

[F_R]

Re: 61 Sea King 5 hp question

Yeah, I studied your photo at length, trying to decide if it was burnt or not. You are there and I'm not, so I'll leave it up to you.

 

[mettyfish]

Re: 61 Sea King 5 hp question

Searched high and low for the cylinder cap gasket. 552625 Can't find it. Anyone know of a source? Thanks. Mettyfish

 

[F_R]

Re: 61 Sea King 5 hp question

Try www.sea-way.com They have many obsolete parts. Or like I said, any Evinrude dealer can order it for you. Don't expect him to have it on the shelf.