Home Forum Ask A Member 1957 Gale 25 hp quality?

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  • #4962
    amuller
    Participant

      I’m getting ready to go look at a 1957 [EDIT: NOT 1967] 25 hp Sea King/Gale.

      Have heard about the relationship between Gale and Johnson/Evinrude products in general terms only.

      Was quality control significantly worse with Gale-made products?

      Would you regard this motor as less desirable mechanically? I notice, for example, that the Gales apparently don’t have a thermostat. I would have thought that J/E motors had them by then, but am not sure. Clearly they have fuel pumps not the pressure system which seems a plus. I expect to find that this motor has an electric starter but no charging. Is a garden tractor battery enough to start these a few times? anything other than the usual motor issues to look out for?

      Thanks.

      #41924
      Steve A W
      Participant

        Amuller
        The ’67 Sea King was made by Chrysler.
        Here’s a video of one;
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zbtwBg0vxY

        Member of the MOB chapter.
        I live in Northwest Indiana

        #41926
        amuller
        Participant

          TYPO! I meant 1957.

          #41927
          raglover
          Participant

            If it is an omc made gale (1957) then it is of the same quality as the Johnson/Evinrude. Essentially the same, just derated on hp. Major parts interchange, wear items are the same and controls/tanks are the same. Fuel pump is nice and pre-dated change by j/e. Always heard it was a way for them to try the concept out on lower population version. Long story short I would not hesitate to pick up a gale and I have a lot of big twins.

            If it is a 67 then I agree it is not an Omc and would be a Chrysler. Quality would be the same as standard Chrysler and motor will be identical to the standard Chrysler except for the graphics

            #41928
            beerman57
            Participant

              I bought a ’57’ Buccaneer 25hp that needed all the usual stuff, painted just the cowl top and sides. Buyer seems real happy with it, one small problem – had way too much float drop, but an easy fix.

              #41929
              amuller
              Participant
                quote Steve A W:

                Amuller
                The ’67 Sea King was made by Chrysler.
                Here’s a video of one;
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zbtwBg0vxY

                Thanks for the video. I like the West Bend/Chrysler motors OK–except for the damn starter pinions. If I find one of those first I will take it.

                #41936
                dave-bernard
                Participant

                  US Member

                  I have a 13 tooth gear if needed.

                  #41937
                  frankr
                  Participant

                    US MEMBER PAY BY CHECK

                    Some history: In 1955 Evinrude and Johnson came out with their rubber-mounted 25hp motors. Gale had the exact same motor, but with smaller bore and different cowlings and called it a 22hp. In 1956, E/J bumped their 25hp up to 30hp and Gale increased their bore to the same as what the ’55 E/J was, and it also made 25hp. Gale motors never did have pressure tanks, but fuel pump kits could be purchased for E/J.

                    In subsequent years, E/J became 35hp and 40hp Gale continued to make the 25 and ALSO a 35 and 40. Mixed in there were the 40hp E/J "Super Quiet" motors. Interestingly enough, the 28 and 33hp E/J motors were just the Gale motors. The 1972 era E/J 40hps were resurrections of the old Gale 40……and the 28/33/late 40’s did not have thermostats. So there!

                    So, in other words, take a bunch of OMC parts, mix them all up and call them what you want, but the results are still OMC motors.

                    One last word, this concerns the particular motors under discussion. Not all motors in the Gale lineup had J/E equals.

                    #41940
                    fleetwin
                    Participant

                      US Member

                      I would not attempt to use a garden tractor style battery on the electric start Gale. These systems draw a lot of current, I would probably get a fairly heavy duty battery (lots of reserve/CCA) because I’m sure there is no generator on this engine.

                      #41950
                      amuller
                      Participant
                        quote fleetwin:

                        I would not attempt to use a garden tractor style battery on the electric start Gale. These systems draw a lot of current, I would probably get a fairly heavy duty battery (lots of reserve/CCA) because I’m sure there is no generator on this engine.

                        From the Gale service manual (http://www.fiberglassics.com/wiki/image … ice003.pdf) it appears there was a generator kit for the 35 and 40 hp engines, but It’s not clear whether it would fit on the 25.

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