Re: Back Again With A 1959 Gale Buccaneer 35HP

[David Stanton]

It is basically the same as a 1958 35 Johnson (not the Super Sea Horse Model) with a fuel pump added.
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You will need a starter solenoid. This comes in a metal box that mounts in the boat, although some guys have cobbled them into the motor. The solenoid is basically a relay that allows low current through the starter switch to control big current to the starter. It looks like an old Ford solenoid, but is wired different inside so don’t buy an automotive one. Sierra or NAPA (same part) #18-5807 is the direct replacement. The factory solenoid comes mounted in am aluminum box that attaches inside the boat near the transom. It has a cable with a big plug that plugs into the side of the motor by the shifter. Another long cable out of that box goes to the helm and has a key-ignition/starter switch and a choke switch on it. If the motor is equipped with a generator (most aren’t) , the voltage regulator is also in the box and it’s bigger. If you are not going to seek out these factory parts (some Johnson and Evinrude ones will interchange) you need a good understanding of ignition and starter wiring and a wiring diagram that someone here canpost for you. If you have no understanding of this stuff, I recommend you get all the right parts.
-Is the glass bowl missing or broken? Yes you can put on an inline filter, but much easier to buy a SIerra NAPA #18-7826 filter and replace it – also need the round gasket #18-2889.
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You will find it’s difficult to get a good connection with jumper cables to the starter and that will make it look and sound like the starter is working hard. Get the solenoid wired and battery cables with good terminals before you jump to any conclusions. The recoil rope starter mechanically activates compression release valves on the cylinder heads but the electrics start doesn’t. Often the compression release linkage is gone if someone had to remove the recoil or pull the flywheel, some leave it off when re-assembling.
These are nice motors. Use 25 to 1 gas/oil mix.
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The motor will rope start without an ignition switch if there is no cable plugged into the side. Make sure it runs OK before investing in starter parts.
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That’s only the 2nd 35 HP Gale I’ve seen with a tiller – I have the other and it’s a 1958 – looks almost identical to yours, but I have removed the tiller..
Dave