Mercury 225hp water intakes...

[tony1204au]

Just fitted a new to me 225hp 3.0L Mercury 2003 to my boat....
The gearcase has water intakes at the front of the bullet, but also in the usual position on the sides...

Is this a fleet master? torquemaster? how can I know what I have?

Also if I run this engine high where the side intakes get air, will i lose water pressure?

[Go Time]

It sounds like the stock "fleetmaster" 3.0L lower unit (which comes paint black). The torquemaster is usually silver. If the gear lube drain is in the carrier, its a Torquemaster, the fleet will drain from the case. Its reasonable to assume that if the case is run as a surface unit with the side intakes uncovered, some waterpressure will be lost.

[tony1204au]

So it sounds like I have a fleetmaster.... The drain is definately on the case and not the carrier.....
Probably not the best case to be surfacing....

If I block off the side intakes and still get enough water into this thing??? Anyone??

[rock]

We have one, albeit a 300 on a Bullet bass boat, with all the holes on the side blocked off and have had no heat issues. If it was me I would put some scoops on it and leave the holes open.
Rock

[Chaz]

Block the top three or four holes by tappint them 1/16 NPT and put a allen headed pipe plug in each ..

[njj502]

I've got 5 of the 8 plugged on mine. Still pull 12-15 psi at wot.