Re: '57 gale tilt
It has a tilt release lever on the front, a curved piece of flat metal, between the stern brackets. Push it down and hook it in the bottom slot to tilt the motor. Release it to run so it stays down in reverse. This is to lock or unlock it in the down position. Does not hold it up. The friction is adjustable by tightening/loosening the tilting hinge bolt. Make it tight enough to stay where you put it. If you need to trailer it in the tilt postion, get a transom saver.
BTW, even when locked down, it will release itself and tilt up if you jump a stump. To prove it, lock it down and grab hold of the lower unit and yank backward. It will make a terrible snap noise like you busted something and come on up. But nothing is busted, it's just the action of that big spring on the rear of the steering swivel tube.