2.5 cooling plumbing question

[LakeFever]

Working on this 2.5 efi and installing a 260 cowl. I am running a stock 2 piece mid plate and the bottom nipple for the coolant routing is below the base plate of the 260 cover so I can’t connect it to the coolant crossover and tell tale as it is from Merc. I’m running all factory fishing motor cooling with thermostats. How do I rig this up so the system works as it should without this nipple hooked up? I’m going to have to plug it.

[VkingMike]

If my memory serves me, that port is for exhaust cooling. It discharges into that to spray water into the can. As far as blocking it, I'm not sure.

[LakeFever]

I certainly dont want to mess with the function. I guess i could drill a hole in the base and plumb it in with a 90 degree fitting. It's going to be tricky and tight under the skirt. I figure this must have been done many times over by now was hoping for a simpler solution or some other way to tap in etc. Maybe not possible?

[transomstand]

There's a hole in the pan for the telltale. Just add a T from that and connect to the exhaust cooling nipple.

[VkingMike]

Hopefully someone with more knowledge on this will chime in. From my searching, everyone seems to agree to not mess with the stock cooling system.

[OnPad]

[transomstand]

Well, I shoulda paid more attention to the 2nd post about the skirt. I tend to ignore stuff about skirts cause I think skirts are for girls

Yea, it's gonna be a pain in the ass with a skirt. Maybe slot the plate/pan or skirt to get a hose down there.

They run water into the plate to quiet the exhaust, cool the tuner, water pump and can. So without it expect a little more noise, the can might discolor, especially if you've pulled the liner and the water pump cover might deform along with a VERY slight risk you'll crack the tuner. None of this is earth shattering but will add a little work to your maintenance/inspection process. (No good for me cause I'm a lazy slug)

[OnPad]

Easy access with a skirt on a girl, not so much on a mercury. I can't remember what's under there. Might be a 45°, or 90°??

[LakeFever]

Thanks gents, I’ll pipe it up in behind that skirt somehow. Besides the only skirt worth having is the one the plays hard to get.