Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

[Bill Brasky]

Hello all, new here and looking for some help. I have what I'm assuming is an evinrude, possibly gale or sea king 12hp outboard. I've looked all over for a serial number but with no luck, the plate on the front of the transom mount is long gone and I don't know where else I can look to figure it out. Any help will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[gm280]

Re: Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

Welcome to iboats forums. :welcome: great to have you aboard...

There is a welsh type plug (looks like a freeze plug) that should be located on the top of your engine maybe near the head of the engine with numbers on it. See if you can find that welsh plug and get those numbers. Those numbers will help decode what your engine is and year and such...

 

[Bill Brasky]

Re: Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

I've looked all over the block looking for anything that resembles a freeze plug. The only thing that looks like a freeze plug to me is on top of the head and it has a triangle with a "H" inside of it.

 

[82rude]

Re: Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

pictures? 12,s were made in the 40,s and 50,s i believe.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

We can identify the Gales by sight alone. Post a pic and we will determine the year for you.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Re: Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

Does anyone know how to post a pic from an iPhone ? Computers down at the moment.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

Ill send you a PM

 

[Bill Brasky]

Re: Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

Guys this darn motor is a mystery to me. I've determined it's a sea king because of a label that I previously couldn't see, it has the sea king emblem under the pull start and on both sides of the fins on the cowling. My reason to want the year is so I can find a float for the carb, and I also need an impeller. Are parts year specific ? Or are they like late model Chevrolets where everything is interchangeable ?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

Sorry forgot about your pics!

Here one is. The colours are throwing me off. Ill send you some part numbers when my wife gets off my desktop. That impeller was used for years.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Re: Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

The colors are different, but the badges can clearly be seen. It's crazy I've had this motor for awhile and only just noticed them. Not very observant on my part, just handed myself the D.A. of the week award.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Re: Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

here's a couple pics , any guess on the year ?

 

[twocyclemania]

Re: Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

My best 'guess' is that it's a mid-fifties; possibly somewhere around 57 or 58.

 

[F_R]

Re: Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

Ward's model GG-9016A (Gale 12D11) 1954-55
or
GG-9016B (Gale 12S12) 1956
or
GG-9016C (Gale 12S13) 1957
or
GG-8978A (Gale 12S15) 1958

Differences are minor, but there are differences.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Re: Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

Would a same era 15hp carb float and impeller work?

 

[F_R]

Re: Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

Yes

 

[Bill Brasky]

Re: Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

Thanks, this motor has been sitting over 10 years. I had a friend if mine look at it to see if he could get it running. He dumped a little gas in the carb and checked a few other things and 2 pulls later it was running. So ever since then I've been searching, trying to figure out how to get it running proper again. I'm excited to see how this thing performs out on the water, it's spoonbill snagging season and I'd like to put a big one in this boat. Thanks for the help guys I'll let ya know how it goes from here.

 

[F_R]

Re: Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

Had to google "spoonbill". So it is a fish. Here in Florida a spoonbill is a bird and you'd better not get caught snagging one.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Re: Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

Yeah it's definitely a fish here, pretty big by freshwater standards. If I catch a good one this year I'll post a pic here, I know this is the only part of the country to fish these so I'll let ya know what you're missing out on, lol just kidding. It definitely is a blast.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Re: Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

One more thing guys, I was told to run this motor 40:1 ratio. Is this kosher ?, or do I need a different ratio ?

 

[F_R]

Re: Cannot figure out what year my 12hp is

Absolutely not. No leaner than 24:1. 16:1 would be better. That motor has silver plated aluminum connecting rods. The silver is the bearing. When it is worn off, the bearing is gone and the rod will melt and probably be sticking through the crankcase.