Gale 1961 Sea King 15 hp

[DirtyDoby30]

I replaced coils, condensors, and rebuilt the carb with a kit to get engine running. Engine sounds strong at idle, and will stay running at idle in excess of 30 minutes. However, if I try to run WOT for more than a few seconds the engine slows and dies. When this happens, sometimes my fuel bowl is completely empty and others is not. I'm fairly certain I am running both cylinders strongly as both have compression, spark, and fuel. My fuel pump diaphragms also appear to be in good shape. Could this be a jet or float issue?

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Gale 1961 Sea King 15 hp

Welcome to Iboats.

Could be a float setting, high speed mixture setting, restriction in the carb, restriction in the fuel lines, or fuel pump issue.

First off, you're running this at WOT while moving a boat, not in neutral, right?
Did you replace the fuel lines, or have they been replaced recently?
What is your high speed mixture setting?
A quick test you can do; Try getting the motor up to WOT, and when it starts to die out, start squeezing the primer bulb on the fuel line to see if that helps it stay running. If it does, I would probably suspect it would most likely be an issue with the fuel pump, or the float setting, but a restriction may still be possible.

 

[ronboonville]

Re: Gale 1961 Sea King 15 hp

Like Roger said, sometimes unless you have replaced the fuel lines there is still stuff getting to the carb. won't hurt to take carb back apart and check. also like Roger said it sound like the fuel pump not working properly, I'd go ahead and get a kit for it, especially if your gonna keep this motor. If it is like my 35hp gale make sure the hose supplying the pulse is good, mine was rotted underneath where it couldn't be seen. Also welcome to iboats, you will find good help here!

 

[DirtyDoby30]

Re: Gale 1961 Sea King 15 hp

Yes WOT was moving on the boat, and it ran for about 30-45 seconds before the bowl ran empty. Fuel lines all look good. My high speed mixture is about ? turns air and 3 ? turns fuel. These are also the only settings I have found that allow the engine to start. My carb settings seem to differ drastically from others?- Might be the result of my carb rebuild. It is snowing here today, but I will try the primer bulb trick later this week when it warms up.

I took the carb back apart and it is still spotless. I?m beginning to think it is the fuel pump, though the diaphragm looked fine. Thanks for the sounds advice thus far!

 

[DirtyDoby30]

Re: Gale 1961 Sea King 15 hp

OK, when at WOT I have to pump the primer bulb to keep the engine running. BUT, this is only a 15 hp, so is there a fuel pump at all? There is a square device (about 2 in x 2 in) the fuel runs through before entering the carb, but I believed it to be a filter. It has a black diaphragm in it. Is it actually a fuel pump?

Also, I found out the engine is only running on the top cylinder. While running WOT, it had about as much power as a 6 hp. The top cylinder was hot, bottom was cold. What are the first things to troubleshoot for this? BTW, the bottom cylinder is getting spark.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Gale 1961 Sea King 15 hp

Yes, ANY engine built after say 1960 has a fuel pump, sans the little guys with the built in tanks. As I understand it, the Gale division of OMC was actually using fuel pumps on their engines, while the other divisions still used pressure tanks. Not a bad idea to rebuild your fuel pump based on its age, I would also check the float height in the carb too.

Did you check spark on the bottom cylinder with a spark tester? If you used the spark plug method to check spark, it doesn't provide enough stress on the ignition system to simulate the environment that the spark plug needs to fire in.

If spark checks out with a spark tester, perform a compression test on the cylinders. Low compression in the bottom hole can equal no fire.

 

[F_R]

Re: Gale 1961 Sea King 15 hp

You should do a compression test before going any further to be sure the engine isn't sick. Then you should check the ignition system. Bad coils are to be expected unless they have already been replaced. Having spark doesn't impress me at all.

So is your fuel pump actually square? It must be a replacement if it is. You obviously had it apart, so unless you got lucky, you may not have gotten it back together correctly. If it has the original fuel pump, depending on the exact model number, some of them were garbage when built, and parts are no longer available for the other one. So, if you have the original, replace it with a 18-7351, available here at iboats.

 

[DirtyDoby30]

Re: Gale 1961 Sea King 15 hp

Alright, I'll have to get on the fuel pump issue- based on the information, mine is definitely not operating right.

My float hight is completely level- I don't know how well I can describe this but its a 90 degree angle from a horizontal plane.. I have a gasket underneath the float valve that if removed will allow the float to have a much larger range of motion.. is it supposed to be level with the edge of the bowl instead of where I have it with the gasket underneath the float valve and seat?

As for the fire: Both cylinders have good compression (90-100) and check out with a spark tester. I put it on the water again today, and finally heard both cylinders going. It was awesome. BUT, the bottom cylinder quickly cut out- I pulled out the spark plug and there was (what I believe to be) water on it; the plug was fouled badly. Powerhead seal must be shot. How do I remove the bottom half of the engine cowling so that I can work on the powerhead?

This motor is in bad shape, I've worked hard to get it to this point. I honestly believe its been at the bottom of someone's pond before. Signs from all over the motor say its been wet.

 

[F_R]

Re: Gale 1961 Sea King 15 hp

Your water ingestion is probably either a head gasket or the exhaust cover plate on the side of the powerhead. Those motors were also bad about the lower crankshaft main bearing seal falling apart and admitting water, but you have a gross leak, something more than the seal alone.

The cylinder head can be removed without removing the powerhead, but for the other items I mentioned, you have to remove the powerhead assembly from the exhaust housing/lower cowl. Don't be alarmed, it isn't that hard to do. Unless the screws are corroded in place and break when you try to remove them.

 

[twocyclemania]

Re: Gale 1961 Sea King 15 hp

Here's my two-cents for what it's worth: You're most likely candidate and the easiest, cheapest, and quickest to tackle would be the head gasket. Just had the same problem with a 3 Evinrude. Once you pull the head the gasket should show you where it has failed if this indeed is the problem. My 61 (or 2) Gale 15; the cousin of this motor is one of my favorites. Let us know how you make out.

 

[DirtyDoby30]

Re: Gale 1961 Sea King 15 hp

Yea, this motor needs an overhaul. The bottom plug wire has gone bad and needs to be replaced also now. I'm a college kid with low funds so I'm going to have to shelf it for now. I know plug wires are cheap, but there are several other issues that need attention on this motor. Thank you guys for all the help! I'll update over the summer if I get it going again!

 

[F_R]

Re: Gale 1961 Sea King 15 hp

If you are going to let it sit, fog it severely or it will rust inside and you won't have anything to come back to. Even that may not be enough.