3 ltr torque master gear case water pick up

[30velocity]

Early years torque master gear case water pick up on the sides has a stainless tab. What is the purpose of this and can it be removed and run without it? I would like to close the top water pick up four holes on my gear case and completely remove the tab. Will this affect any of the water pick up without that stainless plate? ( obviously closing four holes will but ) I certainly want to make sure I have enough coolant for the motor. It does have the holes on the front of the cone also. Any input would be great thanks

[rock]

If it is what I think it is they are called scoops and are there to help pressurize the side pickups in order to run higher motor heights. Removing plates exposes the upper holes and at certain heights can suck air.

Rock

[FUJIMO]

...the early year 3.0 torquemaster gearcases did need help with water supply unless they were deeper than people were used to, with the 200 mercs etc. merc had a number of people install the side stainless plates you have, which usually always cured the issue. if you remove them, you can see the difference for yourself. sometimes the water supply issue wasn't much of an issue usually, except when going into a long gradual port or starboard turn, and the warning buzzers would go off. no it wasn't a hull design or lifting strake placement issue feeding the gearcase(s) aereated water as "some" would have you believe, as all the previous gearcase(s) never had any issue. the early torquemasters, with they're new design floppy vane impeller water pump design, just did'nt cut the mustard. they were/are more of a volume impeller/impeller housing, than a pressure design, as previous ones. a secondary issue was with the actual casting shape of the gearcase housing itself, which incorporated a hump on both sides for pinion gear sidewall clearence, that interfered with linear water flow to the side water intakes. this was changed. multiple little design changes of the early 3.0 litre gearcase improved things after the first couple years.

[30velocity]

481222481223This is what I have and this is what I am shooting for..

[30velocity]

It would be going on a padded bottom boat. Boat has a notch transom and 6 to 8 inch setback bracket. Prop shaft is about an inch and a half below the pad boat is not fast enough for a sport master. Do you think this would be a good avenue? Also have you seen anybody modify the side water pick ups? Maybe drill the hole little bit larger and Dremel the passage so water can flow better into the lower unit? Thanks

[25two.stroke]

people mod the side pickups all the time. They put the plates/scoops, grind troughs to direct the water...all of the above. I put pipe plugs in the top 4 holes and never have seen a lack of water pressure as a result. Even on V bottom boats with no setback and the motor jacked way up.

Those newer torquemasters normally have pickups on the bullet as well to supplement the water volume (3.0 ltr). Does yours have the pickups on the bullet or no?

I also ran an 8 hole torquemaster on the boat in my signature pic, with 4" setback/jack plate and had it up to 80 with no loss of water pressure. Propshaft was about 2 inches below the pad, but that was sponsoned boat with a pad.

[Chaz]

481222481223This is what I have and this is what I am shooting for..

That case on the right is bass~ackwards. Close the top and leave the lower ones open as step #1

When you have worked the (or added them) holes at the front / bottom of the bullet , you will see the bottom holes on the sides venting water , at that point, you can close them off as well . step #2

step #3 , sharks mouth , witch's nose .. a bit of work , but worth the time , effort and money ... :thumbsup: