Yes good addition! Have a few old style wing nut ones from when I changed if your interested?I have M/M strainers now!

i guess a good design shouldn't make any restriction?
got pics,P I?

Ran IMCO SC's on a 35 Fountain with no strainer. The water intake on the IMCO's was a large rectangle opening on the front of the nose cone, versus Mercurys mutliple smaller holes on the front of the gearcase. When I would back flush the system I would get gravel, and even small shells from the oil cooler because of the IMCO's larger opening. Strainers are a good thing.

Paradise what do you have for sale?

Definately go with the strainer. Saves alot of headaches, I have sucked up weeds without them. Just easy to plumb one in and forget about it.

I'll install a pressure relief but what about an air bleed at the top of the strainer? Necessary? My innercooler strainer doesn't have one and I can see air in it and the swirling effect at 40MPH. Never looked at WOT though.

I put a picture of mine on your water pump thread but here it is again. I have found that if for some reason the strainer has gone dry that the system will not self prime. Before starting the engine the first time of the day I must watch the strainer for water flow or the gauge for 3-5 psi at idle. If it loses it's prime I simply loosen the wing nuts enough to let it fill. It is below the water line. Yes, if I have to open and clean it on the water I get a few gallons in the bilge but it's not a big deal. I got rid of the pressure relief valve on mine since the closed cooled 525 likes 35-40 psi.

I own 2 boats - one with a strainer- one without.
The one without will be getting a strainer this season.

I recommend a strainer with a single knob that doesnt require any tools to open and close vs a dozen wingnuts or a single bolt with a special wrench.

Pay attention to firing up with a dry strainer as thirdchildhood mentions- it will cost you an impeller if you try it.

Uncle Dave

I have a large KPM for sale that will take 2 engines easily. I just put it back up in the swap thread.

Doesn't sound like anyone uses an air bleed so I guess I wont. Being small it'd probably plug with crap anyways.