I agree,,alot of trial and error till it works.

There is a proper way of setting up an offshore pick up. There are adjustable ones and others that have to be ground. In most cases the trailing edge should be around 1/16 to 1/4 " below the bottom. The best way to determine the X height is to pace a Tee & a 0 to 15 psi gauge between your pick up & sea pump; and have a water pressure gauge for the motor. You need NO MORE then 5psi ram pressure @WOT. anything more is just a waste and will be a speed loss. When I did testing of sea pumps on a pump dyno, the magic # was 5 psi @ wot. Then check your block pressure. Anything from 10 to 30spi is good there, don't get all hung up on thinking you need a ton of block pressure, you have the biggest supply of cooling water. If your worried about steam pockets drill & tap the back of the intake for air bleeds. If your pick up is more than 1/2 dragging, then fix your bottom. I have seen guys run high block pressure & blow buy in intake gasket &/or wonder why they have water in the bilge after a run???
Oh forgot to add you also can do this with the drive pick up by drilling and tapping s/s set screws in the holes or add hole as needed. Its all in the fine details guys & taking the time to do thinks right; NOT "its ok it works for me"....

That's good information , thanks .

Sounds good to me. I was going to grind off until I see 20psi motor pressure and stop there.

Doing that you will be fine

Where is the proper location of water pressure readings? Mine is right after the freshwater pump on the PS cooler and before the engine oil cooler which acts as a strainer somewhat since the exchanger holes are only about 1/8 to 3/16". I am going to move it to the engine as I think the reading should come after the engine oil cooler which can restrict the water.

Should it be on the thermostat housing below the thermostat, or down on the block?

Should there be much difference in pressure between these two locations? Assuming a clean block.

I like to tap into the back of the intake to get my block pressure. Some guys tee into the block drains, only problem there is soot & sand will plug your sending hose. Before the thermostat will be fine. And yes , if you take pressure readings taken before restrictions, like in coolers that can have blockage, you will see high readings at that point. Too much block pressure can blow thru your intake gasket into the oil galley.... bad buzzzzzzzzz. Like I stated in earlier posts, you don't need a ton of block pressure. Its about water FLOW (GPM) not pressure . http://youtu.be/HWGcvwHZSE8

thanks bawana

you sure thats not youre speedometer pickup. :-) jesus how do you keep that from getting ripped off the boat ... you must always have a rooster going :))))))))) just playing

Mine were 1/2" deep and the pressure was getting over 30psi@ 4000rpm
At 3" it must be like 70psi lol