An advantage to putting small holes in the manifold is that you can drian them if you are going to have the boat sit for some time. What typically causes some of the problems that people have is to let them sit all winter with water in the risers. If you put in that small 1/8" hole or slightly larger just in case you suck up some sand, then if you pull the bottom hose off the manifolds they will drain completely. With out them there they will only drain into the spacer and the water will stay in the spacer.

The design that is on those risers really makes it about the same as the stock Merc set ups. On most Gills, Stainless marine and so on the riser also is blocked off so that there is ZERO chance for water to get into that connection btwn the manifold and riser.

If it was my I would drill two 1/8 or larger holes if you are worried about sand, bolt the faulker together and BEAT IT!!! I am damn near ready to hop on a plane and fix it myself and send you pictures from the water

Jon

It would make sense to me to go ahead and drill two one eighth inch holes in each water jacket area now while it's still apart to get some water flowing through there. It would be a real pita to have to take it all back apart to drill the holes. I'd rather just go ahead and do it now and be done with it. Like you guys said, it can't hurt anything as long as I dont drill too deep. Eddie Marine said it was only about one quarter maybe three eights of an inch down from the surface of the flange to the water jacket area. So I'll just mark a drill bit at three eights of an inch, or put a "bit lock" on it and go for it. All in all this seems to make the most sense. I'll end up with water flowing through the riser, the holes shouldn't be big enough to take a risk of screwing up. This is what I think I'm gonna do, as soon as it stops raining.

You guys agree????

PLEASE SAY YES SO I CAN GET THIS DAMN BOAT BACK TOGETHER. THANKS.

Just think Russ .....there is a chance you beat that ugly "Jan 1" ..you know Cuda's gona pound you if you pass that 365th day .....

Yesterday it was 72 degrees here. (tempt tempt tempt) Today rainy and cold, low 50's. Warm up by Tuesday. Am taking Wed. through Friday off of work to get this back together.

Go for it. Measure twice and drill once. Two holes per manifold should do it. Use the copper RTV and gaskets top and bottom. Let us know how it turns out.

Just gonna stick a gasket on top of the flange of the manifold, use a fine point marker to draw where the water jacket would be, drill two holes on all four sides and repeat three times. Then bolt it all up.

Should be a cinch.

Famous last words.

Unless I get mine back together tomorrow, Russ may be starting a count on me!

Now would I do that????????

Joe .. what ever happened about that ? you referring to the starter issue ? Wasnt there water in the motor ?

I broke the starter, but I don't think it was from water. I also had a blown power valve on the carb of that engine. I think it may have back fired while trying to start and broke the starter. I woke up sick as hell this morning and it's pouring rain. I gotta get the boat fixed. It shouldn't take me more than an hour to put the starter and the carb back on.