stupid ? but i need an answer asap

[boilerdawg]

im swappping reeds on my merc from the boysen to the new carbon fiber reeds. it was suggested that i use the merc backing plates with em. these backing plates have a slight curve to em. heres my question...do i install that plate with the curve toward the reed or away from the reed? it seems to me that with the plate install toward the reed it would prevent it from opening as it should. somebody gimme the skinny on this please. im in the process of installing em now.
thanks,
matt

[transomstand]

Since I specialize in stupid, I'll answer. What you are describing sounds like the reed stops in an early V-6. The curve does go away from the reeds. There is a spec for the opening size. Give your application and I, or someone here can give you the opening size. It should also be noted that in the mid 80's, Merc stopped using them. Somebody decided they didn't need them. I removed mine, and can tell no difference. If you do end up eliminating them, you still need to use the newer clamps(basically, just a strip of metal).

Pete

[boilerdawg]

thanks for the help!!!! i really appreciate it.