I have the identical boat with the same power and my boat has always run at 175 - 180. I'm pretty sure that this is standard running temp. I have a couple of friends with the same setup in there boats and they are running the same temps also. I'm not sure why there would be a difference in temp from the first two years to now unless he didn't have thermostats or they were stuck open. Here is the test sheet from the factory on my boat. Notice it was 40 degrees out and it was running 170 and 160 at hot idle. I also did check my manual on the engine and they are 160* thermostats. Not sure there is a problem. Just my $.02

Very Helpful Simon, thank you! I'll give my buddy a call tonite and let him know. I believe he has the same data sheet with his boat, I will ask him to look and see what his temps were back in '98. much appreciated as usual,

tom

Something seems strange with the rpm to mph after 3000?

ya boat actually runs slower at 4500 3 mph faster at 4000 ..must be the river where reggie tests

Hmmm. I think I might do a top speed run down river once

That's funny I've never noticed that till now... From my experience of running my boat that number should be 70 MPH @ 4500. Reggie must have been a little hung over that morning!

Maybe the old Bravo Fever setting in?
Check the fitting where the inlet hose attaches at the transom (the 90 degree plastic one) pull that, and see if there is and corrosion on the transom plate that is restricting the inlet?

Thank you Throttle, will do!

tom

That'd be my guess.

The sounds like its working right to me guys. My 502 MPIs ran right those temps when I was running along at 3500 3800 or so and the thermostats open and closing pumps kicking in and out like they should. It really sounds about right to me. 160 to 190 depending on how hard your running. That's if they aren't heat exchanged like mine aren't. In other words sea water cooled. Mine hits 190 thermostat's open pumps kick in and down to 160 thermostats close back up to 190. My oil temps ran a steady 190 right on the button. I say ran at because I have two new motors now so Im not sure what they will run now. Either way that sea pump kicking in and out took a little getting use to for me. Bet this **** though. Let the thermostat not open and you will see a motor get hot faster then you have ever seen in your like. Those SOBs will hit 300 degrees faster than you can blink your eyes. I'm talking 160 to slam that gauge to the bottom on the hot side in 10 seconds if you running along on top. I bet you could melt one in 30 seconds. If your watching those pumps she will melt a motor before you even notice it. The alarm comes on and its too late.