61 Sea King 40 hp need head gasket

[Big Red Boat]

Anyone know where I can get a head gasket for our 61 Sea King? TIA

 

[racerone]

The motor was likely built by Johnson / Evinrude.----Post a picture here.----Most boat shops will help you.------There looks to be an issue finding the correct part # on web sites.

 

[jimmbo]

Built by Gale, a division of OMC, that sometimes had slightly different engine blocks than the Evinrude and Johnson motors of same/similar hp
I don't think the Head gasket from the same years of E/J engines will fit, as the E/J had a thermostat, while the Gale Products didn't. Maybe a gasket from the 1972 - 76 lineage might work. In 71 the Evinrude and Johnson 40hp powerheads were dropped and the Gale Powerhead was used in its place.

 

[racerone]

there may be a slight difference in bore size

 

[jimmbo]

There were differences between the Powerheads with Stats and those without. The cooling System on the Stat Engine would send water back to the water pump until it warmed up enough to open the stat. That required extra passages in the Head and the Block, and a Gasket to match. It took some digging but I know there were different gaskets for the non stat 1958 35hps and the 1958 Stat 35s. I know that that is a slightly different engine compared to the 40s but... the Gale 40 resembles the 1957 and non-stat 1958 35 hp.
I think there has been some condensing of Parts Books/Lists and some errors have occurred

 

[racerone]

305206 might be the correct number.----If I have time I might look into it some more tomorrow.

 

[stresspoint]

if you cant buy a gasket you can always have a copper one made .
its an expensive option but in a no in situation its what i do when a OEM gasket is not available anymore.

 

[racerone]

I believe SIERRA offers the gasket.