Gale Model 5D17 Outboard Motor Specs & Overview

Overview of Gale Outboard Motors

Gale Products, a division of the Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC), played a significant role in the golden era of recreational boating. Operating out of Galesburg, Illinois, Gale manufactured robust, reliable, and affordable outboard motors from the late 1930s through the early 1960s. Sold under the Gale Buccaneer name as well as various department store brands (such as Montgomery Ward’s Sea King and Western Auto’s Wizard), these motors shared core engineering features with their OMC siblings, Johnson and Evinrude. The Gale Model 5D17 is a classic example of OMC’s dependable 5 horsepower powerhead, featuring a full gearshift lower unit and remote fuel tank capability.

Technical Specifications: Gale Model 5D17

Below are the factory technical specifications for the 5.0 HP Gale Model 5D17 outboard engine:

• Model Name: 5D17
• Horsepower: 5.0 HP @ 4,000 RPM (O.B.C. Certified)
• Operating Range: 3500 – 4500 RPM
• Cylinders: 2 cylinders
• Bore and Stroke: 1-15/16″ bore x 1-1/2″ stroke
• Displacement: 8.84 cubic inches
• Powerhead Type: 2-cycle, 2-port, alternate firing
• Gearshift Control: Forward – Neutral – Reverse (F-N-R)
• Gear Ratio: 15:26
• Propeller: 2-blade, 8″ diameter x 7-1/4″ pitch
• Cooling System: Rubber blade combination displacement and centrifugal water pump
• Ignition System: Built-in flywheel magneto (OMC Universal Magneto)
• Carburetor: Float feed, high and low-speed adjustment needles, automotive-type choke
• Speed Control: Synchronized spark and throttle twist-grip control
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 6-gallon separate remote tank
• Estimated Running Time: Approx. 6 hours at wide-open throttle
• Starter: Automatic recoil rewind starter
• Weight: 55 lbs (excluding fuel tank)
• Recommended Transom Height: 15″ or 20″

Fuel Mix & Operational Guidance

Because vintage two-stroke engines rely on oil mixed directly into the gasoline for crankshaft and cylinder lubrication, proper fuel mixing is critical to prevent engine damage:

• Fuel-to-Oil Ratio: A standard mix ratio of 24:1 (1/2 pint of oil per 1 gallon of gas, or 1 quart per 6-gallon tank) is recommended for vintage OMC/Gale powerheads of this era.
• Oil Type: Use a modern TC-W3 certified 2-stroke marine outboard oil. Avoid automotive 2-stroke oils, as they lack the additives required for water-cooled outboard engines.
• Fuel Selection: Always use non-ethanol (E0) 87+ octane gasoline whenever available. Ethanol attracts moisture and deteriorates vintage rubber fuel lines, carburetor floats, and fuel pump diaphragms.

Maintenance & Restoration Advice

Restoring or maintaining a vintage Gale 5D17 is a rewarding project due to excellent parts availability and simple, proven mechanical design. Key maintenance areas include:

1. Ignition System Overhaul:

The built-in flywheel magneto uses standard OMC components. The original green plastic coils are notoriously prone to cracking over time, causing lost spark when hot. When restoring, pull the flywheel and replace the dual ignition coils, breaker points (set gap to 0.020″), and condensers. Use Champion J6C (or J8C) spark plugs gapped to 0.030″.

2. Water Pump & Cooling System:

Never run the motor dry, even for a few seconds. The cooling system uses a flexible rubber water pump impeller located in the lower unit. Older rubber impellers become brittle or set in a hard shape, leading to engine overheating. Always install a fresh replacement impeller before taking a long-dormant motor out on the water, and verify that a steady stream of water exits the exhaust relief port during operation.

3. Carburetor Rebuild:

If the motor has been sitting, old fuel will turn to varnish inside the float bowl and passages. Disassemble the carburetor, clean the jets, replace the packing washers on the high and low-speed adjustment needles, and install a fresh float if the original cork float is saturated. Set the initial needle adjustments to approximately 1-1/2 turns out for the high-speed needle and 1-1/4 turns out for the low-speed needle as a starting baseline before fine-tuning in a test tank.

4. Lower Unit Gearcase Service:

Inspect the gearcase oil regularly. Drain the lower unit by removing the bottom drain plug and top vent plug. If the drained gear lube appears milky, water is entering through the propeller shaft seal, shift rod seal, or driveshaft seal. Re-seal the gearcase with a fresh seal kit and refill with quality marine SAE 80W-90 gear lubricant from the bottom drain hole until it flows out of the top vent hole.