Gale Model 25DEL19 Outboard Motor Specs & Overview

Gale Model 25DEL19 Outboard Motor Overview

Gale Products was a core division of Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC), manufacturing rugged, economical outboard motors from the late 1930s through the early 1960s. Sold under the Gale brand name as well as department store labels like Sea King and Buccaneer, Gale outboards shared core mechanical designs with their sister brands, Johnson and Evinrude. The 25 HP Gale Model 25DEL19 represents classic OMC engineering: a robust, mid-range two-cylinder engine built for fishing boats, runabouts, and family utility craft.

Key Technical Specifications

• Model: 25DEL19
• Horsepower: 25.0 HP @ 4,500 RPM (O.B.C. Certified)
• Operating Range: 4,000 – 5,000 RPM
• Displacement: 35.7 cubic inches
• Cylinders: 2 cylinders
• Bore & Stroke: 2-7/8″ bore x 2-3/4″ stroke
• Powerhead Configuration: 2-cycle, 2-port, alternate firing
• Ignition System: Built-in flywheel magneto
• Carburetor: Float feed with adjustable high and low-speed needle valves
• Speed Control: Synchronized spark and throttle via twist-grip handle
• Cooling System: Rubber blade combination displacement and centrifugal water pump
• Gear Ratio: 12:21
• Gearshift Control: Full Forward-Neutral-Reverse (F-N-R)
• Propeller: 3-blade, 10-3/8″ diameter x 12-1/2″ pitch
• Starting System: Electric start with manual automatic rewind backup
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 6 gallons (separate pressurized or double-line/single-line remote tank)
• Weight: 126 lbs. (excluding tank)
• Recommended Transom Height: 15″ or 20″ models

Fuel Mix, Maintenance & Restoration Guidelines

Two-Stroke Fuel Mix: For proper powerhead protection, this 1950s-era 25 HP engine requires a 24:1 fuel-to-oil mixture (1/2 pint of oil per 1 gallon of gasoline). Always use standard 87-octane fuel (preferably ethanol-free) mixed with high-quality TC-W3 marine two-stroke oil. Avoid running modern 50:1 ratios, as vintage wrist pin bushings and crank bearings require the extra lubrication provided by a 24:1 blend.

Ignition & Electrical Service: The flywheel magneto uses dual ignition coils, condenser, and breaker points. When tuning up the motor, clean the points and set the point gap to .020 inches. Original OMC coils from this era are prone to cracking over time; replacing aged coils with modern epoxy-encapsulated OMC/Sierra replacements will resolve most weak-spark or hard-starting issues.

Cooling System Care: Never run the engine dry. The combination rubber impeller inside the lower unit degrades with age and heat. Replace the water pump impeller before putting a long-stored motor back into service. Ensure the water intake screens on the lower unit remain clear of debris and marine growth.

Carburetor & Lower Unit Maintenance: Clean the float bowl and passages with carburetor cleaner. Preset the low-speed needle to roughly 1.5 turns out from light seat, and the high-speed needle to 3/4 to 1 turn out, fine-tuning them once the motor reaches normal operating temperature on the water. Change the lower unit gear lubricant seasonally using standard marine SAE 80W-90 hypoid gear oil, checking for milky oil that indicates failing lower unit seals.