Gale Model 22D17 Outboard Motor Specs & Overview

The Gale Model 22D17 is a classic 25 HP twin-cylinder outboard motor engineered during the golden era of mid-century American marine production. Gale Products was a prominent division of the Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC), responsible for building rugged, high-performing outboard engines both under the Gale brand name and for private department store brands such as Montgomery Ward (Sea King) and Goodyear (Sea Bee). Shared mechanical architecture with contemporary Johnson and Evinrude models makes the 35.7 cubic-inch Gale powerhead a favorite among vintage outboard collectors and restorers today.

Key Technical Specifications

• Model: Gale 22D17 (25 HP Class)
• Horsepower Rating: 25.0 HP @ 4,500 RPM (O.B.C. Certified)
• Full Throttle Operating Range: 4,000 – 5,000 RPM
• Engine Type: 2-cylinder, 2-stroke, 2-port, alternate firing
• Displacement: 35.7 cubic inches
• Bore & Stroke: 2-7/8″ Bore x 2-3/4″ Stroke
• Gear Ratio: 12:21
• Gearshift Control: Full Forward-Neutral-Reverse (F-N-R)
• Starter: Automatic rewind recoil starter
• Ignition System: Flywheel magneto
• Carburetor: Adjustable float-feed with independent high-speed and low-speed needle valves
• Speed Control: Synchronized spark advance and throttle (twist-grip handle)
• Cooling System: Rubber blade combination displacement and centrifugal water pump
• Propeller Specification: 3-blade, 10-3/8″ diameter x 12-1/2″ pitch
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 6 gallons (separate remote pressure/two-line or vacuum fuel tank setup)
• Weight: 115 lbs. (dry, without tank)
• Recommended Transom Height: 15″ (Standard) or 20″ (Long Shaft option)

Fuel & Oil Mixture Recommendations

Because the internal wrist pin, crankpin, and main bearings in 1950s OMC/Gale powerheads rely on oil suspended in the fuel charge for lubrication, running the correct oil ratio is critical. Do not run modern pre-mixed fuel at 50:1 in this engine.

The standard operating mix for this era is 24:1 (1 quart of high-grade TC-W3 marine two-stroke oil to 6 gallons of gas, or 1 pint / 16 oz of oil per 3 gallons of gas). Always use 87-octane non-ethanol (E0) gasoline whenever possible. Ethanol damages vintage rubber fuel lines, degrades original carburetor floats, and attracts moisture, leading to internal crankcase corrosion during storage.

Restoration & Maintenance Tips

• Ignition System Tuning: The magneto system beneath the flywheel features dual ignition coils, breaker points, and condensers. Coils from this era commonly suffer from cracked epoxy insulation over time. Replace aged coils with modern epoxy-sealed OMC replacements. Set the breaker point gap to .020 inches at high peak.
• Cooling System Service: Before putting a revived motor into service, replace the lower unit water pump impeller. The rubber blades harden and break off after years of disuse, risking overheating and severe cylinder wall scoring. Verify that water flows freely out of the exhaust relief ports once running.
• Carburetor & Fuel Delivery: Rebuild the float-feed carburetor using modern solvent-resistant gaskets and needle packing. Initial baseline settings for initial startup are typically set at 1-1/2 turns out from lightly seated for the low-speed mixture needle, and 3/4 to 1 turn out for the high-speed needle, fine-tuning under load in the water.
• Gearcase Maintenance: Inspect the lower unit oil prior to every season. Drain any old lubricant and fill from the bottom drain plug hole up to the top vent plug using quality marine hypoid gear lubricant. If water or milky oil is present, replace the driveshaft, prop shaft, and shift rod seals.