TOPIC: Gale 3hp spark issues

I picked up a like new 3hp Gale Sea King ('63) couple years ago. Seems that I changed the coil with one that I swapped out of a twin cyl. The twin had mix matched coils, older one was cracked, so I changed both, and saved the newer one, which I put in the single cyl. Gale. OK, the Gale has been sitting for a couple seasons, so I went through it. I checked the spark first thing, it was bright blue & snappy. When I put it all back together, it wouldn't start. After checking everything else, I rechecked for spark, there was none...??? It doesn't seem to me that a cold coil should change one minute to the next, what else should I look for...??? The plug wire is new, I will pull the flywheel and check the connection... Condenser...??? Thanks for any help.

Did you use copper wire core plug wire? Did you advance the throttle lever? (don't laugh, I forgot a couple times and it drove me nuts until I realized what I forgot!)

55bigtwin,

Your trials & tribulations with that little 3- horse Gale is WHY I believe that the points, coil(s), sparkplug(s), condenser(s), plug wire(s), fuel filter (IF your OB has one), gas lines & water pump impeller should be REPLACED and the carburation rebuilt on every one of these old Johnnyrudes, regardless of how the parts LOOK and/or what the previous owner CLAIMED to have repaired/replaced.
(Less than 100.oo spent at your local NAPA Auto Parts Store will make that little OB near "bullet-proof". = Btw, OMC parts are sold under the SIERRA company brand-name.)

May I also suggest that you find/read a copy of CHEAP OUTBOARDS: THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO MAKING AN OLD MOTOR RUN FOREVER, from cover to cover?
(I gave 5 bucks for my copy at a thrift shop.- BEST 5 bucks that I've spent in years.)

yours, satx

Clean and gap the points .020", if you still have no spark then likely that coil is no good.

The fact that it sparked hot then failed, leads me to believe the problem will lie with the coil. Very common to see them go like that, once they get hot they'll quit and never work again.

Check eBay for lots of good deals on replacement coils.

HTH.......ed

...OK, Thanks all for the advice. Upon pulling the flywheel, I found that the plug wire had pulled away from the coil somewhat. Then I noticed a flat spot in the plug wire. It appears that the wire was pinched when the side cover was put back on, and possibly held it in place when the spark lever was advanced, pulling it out...??? Anyway I put it all back together carefully, and it started first pull, and kept running in the barrel for 45 min or so.
This has the old 'enrichment' type carb., with no choke. I have not been able to find parts listed for it anywhere, yet. Anyone know of any sources? I usually use 'IBoat' or 'MarineEngine', but haven't been able to find anything on it... I do still need to find a copy of the 'Outboard' book...Thanks again for the help

The "cheap outboards" book got it's start in a series of web articles. I've collected the full index here:
www.omc-boats.org/maxw.html

For manuals, check out:
richardlpaquette.ca/vikingmanuals.htm

The 3D18V should be very close to yours (except for cosmetics)

silver-bay wrote:

The "cheap outboards" book got it's start in a series of web articles. I've collected the full index here:
www.omc-boats.org/maxw.html

For manuals, check out:
richardlpaquette.ca/vikingmanuals.htm

The 3D18V should be very close to yours (except for cosmetics)

Awesome, lot's of good info, Thanks...