1957 Sea King 3 HP Carb float

[MN_fisherman]

I have a 57 Gale 3hp and the original cork float is deteriorated I believe I heard someone mention here that the mercury floats (Sierra 18-7208 Float) can be modified to work in the gale carbs. I can't locate the old post but I'm wondering if there is someone here that has experience with this substitute and can tell me what is involved in making the mercury float work.

Also I'm wondering if there is a source of the packing that holds the main throttle neelde in place I think I can reuse the old one but I thought I would ask if a modern replacement is available since I have the carb apart already.

Finally can anyone tell me if the OMC filter bowl gaskets (Sierra 18-2889 or
Sierra 18-2892) will work to replace the original gale gasket? I know the gale carbs are completely different but I wondered if anyone has every tried to use the OMC gaskets or if another substitute exists. Its not as critical because I think I could probably just make my own from some gasket material.

Anyones input or experience will be appreciated!

 

[F_R]

Re: 1957 Sea King 3 HP Carb float

I have used the Mercury float. I've also screwed one up. Live and learn. What you have to do is drill a 3/32" hole all the way through the center for the float pin. What I messed up is I cut mine down to the same height as the original. The original was 1 1/4" diameter X 5/8" high. The Merc float is smaller diameter, so when I cut it to 5/8" high, I wound up with a smaller float, cubic inch - wise and it didn't have enough floatation to lift the pin. Cut it a bit taller to make up for that. Don't worry about cutting on it, it's closed cell foam and won't absorb gas.

The needle packing is part number 550259 and is still available from dealers. I've had very poor luck with any substitutes because on that motor it requires a lot of turning back and forth to prime and run.

 

[MN_fisherman]

Re: 1957 Sea King 3 HP Carb float

F R, thank you very much for the information. I found a previous post on this subject where you said that the original cork float will work if you recoat with epoxy or other gas resistant substance. My original cork float seems intact enough to use but in Minnesota all of our gas has ethanol in it and I have been told that the ethanol will cause the cork to deteriorate very quickly. Do you happen to know if epoxy will be resistant to ethanol? I'm leaning towards just replacing the float with closed cell foam but I also don't want to have trouble the outboard not running right because of too much/not enough floatation. Do you think 3/4" overall height will be enough, I don't want to cut off too much.

On a side note, I just heard that our Governor "Champion of ethanol" wants to change the law requiring that all gas sold here in MN have at least 10% Ethol to E20 (20%) in the next couple of years. This could mean even more problems for old outboards not to mention higher prices at the grocery store.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1957 Sea King 3 HP Carb float

The 3 most popular stuff for recoating among the antique crowd are model airplane "fuel-proof dope" (from your local hobby store), Super Glue Gel, and thinned epoxy. I've used the dope, but have not personally tried the others. The original was shellac. Alcohol disolves shellac. Note, not all "dope" is fuel proof. If it is, it will say so on the bottle.

 

[dvrdwn]

Re: 1957 Sea King 3 HP Carb float

hey guys.I'm having the same problem with my 58-59 3hp gale buccaneer.Which is the same as the sea king I beleave.the dimentions discribed seem to be close sence my float is probably a little swollen from the gas.The hight can be determaned by the notches on the pin for the retaining clips.I found a few sources for a replacment cork that would have to be modified.First is just a regular new cork I found online.Second and the one I am going to try it a cork from a champaigne bottle.the cork was taken out of a fresh bottle and dried directly after with a heat gun on low setting.the part tha was in the bottle expanded to the diameter of the top of the cork.It's measures 1"/3-16th by 2" approx.Close enough after cutting it down to 5/8" I think.Not sure what I will coat it with.The hobby shops I call don't seem to have the dope so I was looking at super glue.Hope this helps.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1957 Sea King 3 HP Carb float

Any hobby shop should have "Fuel Proof Dope". It is used in building model airplanes. It is a fancy name for fancy "paint". Not all of it is "Fuel Proof" though. It will say so on the bottle if it is.