Sea King by Gale, early 60s, new project

[chuckm51]

So, back in 2002 I bartered some tile reapir labor for a boat, motor and trailer.
The motor ran badly, so the boat became a row boat.
After successfully rehabbing a 5hp Eska, I want to apply my new found skill set on the motor that came with the boat.
It is a 60's Sea King, made by Gale, Model #GG18732B, 5hp, 2 cylinder.
I have never been able to find that model number online. I did get a new impeller for it in 2002, but I don't know where I got it.
I need to get parts for it, including a carb kit, points, condenser, fuel hose fittings for both ends, and a manual.
I've seen posts saying gale-made sea kings are essentailly omc motors, and alot of parts are direct swaps.
Any insight into getting at parts and getting this beast going will be greatly valued.

Chuck in Austin, TX

 

[F_R]

Re: Sea King by Gale, early 60s, new project

There are a few Gale motors that don't exist. At least not in the official parts lists. But obviously they do exist in reality. GG-18736A, B, C, and D are all 5hp 1961 & 1962 with minor differences. 18732B is in no list that I know of. It may be a Canadian-built motor. Look for another number starting with **X, and reverse the ** and it indicates the year. In other words, 16X is a 1961, 26X is a 1962.

 

[chuckm51]

Re: Sea King by Gale, early 60s, new project

Good one FR.

The serial # is 36x8751**.
So it would be a '63.
Where do I look for parts?

I thought my '85 Eska 5hp was hard to buy parts for; This Sea King is looking more troublesome.

 

[Tom @ Buzzard Bluff]

Re: Sea King by Gale, early 60s, new project

Good one FR.

The serial # is 36x8751**.
So it would be a '63.
Where do I look for parts?

I thought my '85 Eska 5hp was hard to buy parts for; This Sea King is looking more troublesome.

Check your PMs

 

[chuckm51]

Re: Sea King by Gale, early 60s, new project

PMs?

 

[F_R]

Re: Sea King by Gale, early 60s, new project

Private Messages. Look in the upper right corner of your screen.

That would be the last year that Gale made motors for sale in US. I suspect that they ran out of motors to fulfill their orders from Wards and so they brought in some from Canada. Thus the strange model numbers that keep coming up.

Parts should be no more problem than any other old OMC motor. You would be surprised at how much stuff is still available from any Evinrude dealer. BUT--you need to get yourself a parts book. Then you can go to or call the dealer with the part number that you need. If it is still available he can order it for you. But he probably won't give you the time of day if you don't have the part number. He probably doesn't have the parts book either.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Sea King by Gale, early 60s, new project

Basic parts are easy if you look right here at iboats for 63 evinrude/Johnson ignition, carb and impeller parts.If the coils haven't been done you will have to replace them.
With the parts book you will be surprised how many parts are available at a well established E/J BRP dealer.

 

[chuckm51]

Re: Sea King by Gale,1963, 5hp, new project

Re: Sea King by Gale,1963, 5hp, new project

Ha! I flushed out the gas tank with acid and gas, bought a new gas hose, dismantled the carb and flushed with carb cleaner and blew out with compressor, removed, gapped and reinstalled the plugs, got an emery board from the wife and sanded the points through the observation hole in the flywheel top, checked the points gap, Reassembled and voila! Started after a few pulls.
Ran really badly at first; only the lower cylinder was firing, despite spark through the other plug wire. Cleaned up the boot and tried again. I discovered that by leaning out the 2 high and low needles, it roared to life, erratically.
I also discovered NAPA here in town can order OMC parts from San Antonio, be here in 2 days. Everything but a float for the fuel bowl.
I haven't ssen much about fuel pump rebuilds, is this also straight forward?
I see brown stains under its cover and am wondering about opening it up without new gaskets etc.?
And the impeller I installed 8 yrs ago still works swell! Lots of hot water through the vent hole.
Still a little fuzzy on the fuel mix. Running 24:1 but unsure if this is right.
Thanks for all the comments and advice!

Chuck in Austin, where it's hot again with rain in the forecast.
"BOAT: A hole in the water into which you throw money."

 

[chuckm51]

Re: Sea King by Gale, early 60s, new project

So the old Sea King is chugging along pretty good. Still not happy with the smoothness of the rpms.
I was touching the motor cover lower half today when the engine did its sputter/surge thing. I got a SHOCK off the cover. I originally thought both coils were new, but it appears only one is new.
I think I will buy 2 new coils and plug wires, and thus have the entire ignition system renewed.

It was a shock indeed.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Sea King by Gale, early 60s, new project

It's leaking fire somewhere or it wouldn't bite like that.

 

[1kruzer1]

Re: Sea King by Gale, early 60s, new project

"Still a little fuzzy on the fuel mix. Running 24:1 but unsure if this is right."

24:1 is the correct ratio.

 

[chuckm51]

Re: Sea King by Gale, early 60s, new project

So, I replaced both coils, points, and condensers, and plug wires. Turned out I think that a coil wire had some exposed copper touching the flywheel. New ignition system, Resealed the lower unit, and it runs like new. Idles low nicely. Starts easily.
NAPA had the ignition parts, cheaper than online, with a one day turnaround from san antonio.
But it's too small to plane out my heavy aluminum boat. Looking for a bigger motor.
Eyeing a 15hp '54 evinrude super fastwin.

 

[Tom @ Buzzard Bluff]

Re: Sea King by Gale, early 60s, new project

Idles low nicely. Starts easily.

To me the idle is the acid test. If a motor will start easily and get down and 'Cadillac' at a dead low idle a compression test isn't needed! You have a very low time and/or nearly new motor. That one is a keeper!

So get a bigger motor if you are determined to plane the boat but don't let that 5 horse Sea King escape! You'll repent it for years if you do. Never get rid of a gun that shoots straight or an outboard that runs well.

 

[chuckm51]

Re: Sea King by Gale, early 60s, new project

Yea, I agree. I have started the paperwork to get it titled here in Texas. It will become my back up if I get the '54 15hp Evinrude I am looking at. I have my Eska '85 5hp up for sale. Hoping to subsidize the 15hp purchase.


On a completely different topic, a friend took a 3-4 yr old honda 5hp to a service shop the other day, and the mechanic told him that the ethanol in gas absorbs water, and that the gas starts going bad 14 days after purchase!
Unless stabil is added. That one was a new one for me.

 

[Tom @ Buzzard Bluff]

Re: Sea King by Gale, early 60s, new project

<On a completely different topic, a friend took a 3-4 yr old honda 5hp to a service shop the other day, and the mechanic told him that the ethanol in gas absorbs water, and that the gas starts going bad 14 days after purchase!
Unless stabil is added. That one was a new one for me.>

If you follow my posts you'll see me refer to ethanol as 'the Spawn of Satan' or of the Devil frequently. Old outboards made prior to the advent of ethanol used rubber components in the fuel system that over time turns into 'black goo' in the presence of alcohol. Not overnight but it WILL happen! That is why I always exhort those with old outboards to put back in service to change out ALL fuel lines or other rubber components to modern parts. It saves tons of frustration when their newly 'restored' outboard leaves them miles from the put-in and can sour them on the entire experience.

I have more old motors than anyone needs and EVERY ONE ran using ethanol that had hung on the rack for a year or two before being ran again had to have the carbs cleaned even tho I make it a practice to "run the carb dry".

Last year a gas station opened in a nearby town that sells ONLY 'real gas' and I'm praying daily that he's able to stay in business.
Which reminds me----I need to refill 4 5 gallon cans in case he folds!

FWIW--- there are more than one formulation of Stabil and ONLY the one intended to be used with ethanol is effective! With 'real gas' .4 oz. per gallon of Marvel Mystery Oil will allegedly keep it valid for years!

 

[chuckm51]

Re: Sea King by Gale, early 60s, new project

Going to san antonio manana (tomorrow) to help daughter move into college apt. Gonna stop and look at a '54 evinrude 15hp I have been watching closely. He wants $300, hoping to get it for $200. If you haven't seen my posts,
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=426913
it looks almost new, and includes the tank and hose. If its physical appearance is any indicator, I am hoping this is a plum worth keeping.
I did replace the fuel lines on my other 2 motors.
But I wonder...this '54 evinrude has the pressurized fuel tank, I think, and I wonder if I will need to replace the gas line hose along with the internal fuel lines?

 

[Tom @ Buzzard Bluff]

Re: Sea King by Gale, early 60s, new project

<Gonna stop and look at a '54 evinrude 15hp I have been watching closely. He wants $300, hoping to get it for $200.>

The pics look very good. Pics won't push your boat however. I'd love to find one that nice too but $300 is a price for a running, usable motor. If the seller can't run it for you then it's a parts motor until proven different. So the real question may turn out to be 'How much is a really nice looking parts motor worth to me"?

<it looks almost new, and includes the tank and hose.>

The tank does look good on the outside, but what about the inside? A good pressure tank that isn't rusty and works as intended can go for up to $100 on auction sites. Seems high but you could spend almost that much for sloshing compound to reseal a rusty leaker plus a kit to reseal the bolt on parts (pump,etc.) and new hoses inside and out. In other words take a flashlight so you can take a GOOD look inside!

<...this '54 evinrude has the pressurized fuel tank, I think, and I wonder if I will need to replace the gas line hose along with the internal fuel lines?>

15 year old (minimum!) rubber components that weren't made for ethanol? Do you really need to ask?

Anyone asking that much for an old motor---no matter the cosmetics---shouldn't mind a prospective buyer wanting to check compression or the L/U for water intrusion---or anything else short of a tear-down. If he does that's your clue that you should leave then! By asking so much the seller has put the onus on himself to prove value. If he can't then it's NO SALE!