Water pickup question on Opti

[pugracer285]

Hi all,

With a std 3L fleetmaster lower unit - which has the factory nose cone pickup and side pickups, is it possible to weld up / block up some /all of the side pickup so the motor can be run higher up on the transom. Ie will it get enough flow from just the front pickup?

I'm assuming it would be ok as this is how the sportsmaster etc gets it's cooling.

If the answer is yes, can you buy a kit to do this or is it a question of fabricating something to cover the holes?

I have an extra Smartcraft water pressure gauge so would be able to keep an eye on cooling flow.

This is more for short burst high speed running than extended offshore stuff.

James

[RossM]

easiest way is to tap the top holes & screw little grub screws in the holes

[RossM]

Here you go:
http://www.usaoutdoors.org/content/p...-unit-how-159/

[scottyboy]

How big are the lower holes and how many of them is there?
You need to have enough volume aswell as pressure.

[pugracer285]

Originally Posted by PuppiesBalls

Here you go:
http://www.usaoutdoors.org/content/p...-unit-how-159/

Perfect, thanks, just what I was looking for...although I probably wouldn't trust silicon sealant to hold them in!

Would also have to be careful long term of an alloy housing and stainless grub screws so that they didn't fuse themselves together.

[prepsdk]

You probably already plugged your holes, but plugging water inlet openings is NOT RECOMMENDED. If your water pump is 100% new, a set of High-Speed Water Inlet SCOOPS is an appropriate choice to improve water pressure in higher mounting heights (or where water inlets are being aerated).