where can I get the block off plate?

If you dont want to yank the engine cause yo cant get at the bolt or dont have the room otherwise...just go to home depot and get the rubber plumbing caps they make and cap off the top of the Y-pipe and leave it all in place....nothings gonna get hurt and you can always hook everything back up later if you decide to sell or get harrased by the water cops for being too loud....

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show_...=EXHUAST+PLATE

Any dealer or good boat shop can get it for you. If you run into a HUGE problem, I have one and you can replace it for me sometime in the future OK? [email protected]

I have a plate i was going to use on my project boat but am leaning towards going back to the Y-pipe setup.....i'd be willing to maybe do a trade for a y-pipe if anyones interested

thanks ghittner I will talk to my boat mechanic and see what we are going to do!

Years ago a good prop man told me to remove the bellows on the outside of the transome assy so there wasnt a problem with suction with the prop. As I understood it, and I may be wrong, been a long time and he has sinced past away. The open hub on the prop will have a suction, or low psi area, caused by the prop going thru the water. If the rubber bellows that meets with the drive when in the down position, is not removed there was an ill effect. Removing it allowed air to enter the prop area and stop the ill effect (which I cant remember what it was). I have been running without the rubber hose (not really a bellows, if I remember correctly) for 15yrs or so.. two boats. No problems..
Hope this helps.

D*i*c*k

I heard this as well years ago. Let air into the system to prevent a vacuum forming behind the prop. No idea if there is any truth to it but it makes sense.