Gale Model 22D13 Outboard Motor Specs & Overview

Overview of Gale Outboard Motors and the Model 22D13

Gale Products, a division of Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC), produced dependable, value-focused outboard motors from the late 1930s through the early 1960s. Sold under various house brand names (such as Sea King for Montgomery Ward and Buccaneer), Gale motors shared core mechanical designs and high-quality components with their OMC siblings, Johnson and Evinrude. The Gale Model 22D13 is a robust 25-horsepower twin-cylinder outboard based on OMC’s proven 35.7 cubic-inch powerhead design, offering reliable power, full gearshift capability, and rugged durability for classic aluminum runabouts and fishing boats.

Technical Specifications

Below are the detailed factory specifications for the Gale 22D13 outboard motor:

• Model: Gale 22D13 (22D Series)
• Horsepower Rating: 25.0 HP @ 4,000 RPM (O.B.C. Certified)
• Displacement: 35.7 Cubic Inches
• Cylinders: 2-Cylinder, Alternate Firing
• Bore & Stroke: 2-7/8″ Bore x 2-3/4″ Stroke
• Powerhead Type: 2-Cycle, 2-Port
• Gear Shift: Full Gearshift (Forward – Neutral – Reverse)
• Gear Ratio: 12:21
• Propeller: 3-Blade, 10-3/8″ Diameter x 12-1/2″ Pitch
• Cooling System: Rubber blade combination displacement and centrifugal water pump
• Ignition System: Built-in Flywheel Magneto
• Carburetor: Float feed with adjustable high- and low-speed needle valves
• Speed Control: Twist-grip control with synchronized spark and throttle
• Starting System: Automatic rewind manual starter
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 6.0 Gallons (Remote tank)
• Recommended Transom Height: 15″ (Standard short shaft)
• Weight: 119 lbs. (excluding fuel tank)

Maintenance, Restoration, and Fuel Mix Guidelines

Restoring and maintaining a classic 25 HP Gale motor is straightforward due to its mechanical simplicity and parts interchangeability with standard OMC components of the era.

1. Fuel-to-Oil Ratio and Fuel Selection
Because these vintage powerheads use bushing-style or early needle bearings, running the correct fuel mixture is critical to prevent engine damage:

• Recommended Mix: Run a 24:1 fuel-to-oil mixture (1 quart of high-quality TC-W3 rated 2-stroke outboard oil to 6 gallons of gasoline). Do not lean this engine out to 50:1.
• Fuel Quality: Always use non-ethanol, 87+ octane gasoline to protect internal carburetor rubbers and prevent corrosion in the fuel delivery system.

2. Ignition System Service
The built-in flywheel magneto uses traditional ignition points, condensers, and dual coils:

• Inspect the ignition coils under the flywheel. Original OMC green coils are notoriously prone to cracking with age and causing intermittent spark loss. Replace cracked coils with modern OMC universal coils.
• Clean and set the ignition breaker points to .020 inches at peak opening. Replace the condensers during ignition overhauls to ensure a hot, consistent spark.

3. Cooling System and Lower Unit Care
Never run the engine out of water, as doing so will instantly destroy the flexible rubber water pump impeller.

• Drop the lower unit and inspect the rubber water pump impeller before attempting initial startup. Replace dried, hardened, or set impellers immediately.
• Drain and refill the gearcase with fresh, non-foaming marine gear lubricant (Hi-Vis / Type C Marine Gear Lube). Replace the fill and vent plug drain washer seals to prevent water intrusion.

4. Carburetor Tuning
The float-feed carburetor features dual manual needle adjustments:

• Initial Bench Settings: Set the low-speed needle to approximately 1-1/2 turns out from lightly seated, and the high-speed needle to approximately 3/4 to 1 turn out.
• Perform final needle adjustments under load while the boat is in the water to achieve smooth idling and maximum high-speed operation.