mercury 9.8 water pump tube?

[wta]

Help, I have a 1978 mercury 9.8 that has a water pump problem.
The tube or hose that comes out of the top of water pump housing that goes to the metal tubing which runs up the bottom of the power head has failed. It is cracked ,split and melted .Where can i find this part or a part #.
What is this made of? Mine is damaged I can't tell. Where it goed into the pump housing it appears to be 9/16 o.d and where it attaches to the steel tubing it look like about 3.16 i.d. It looks like was about 4 to 5 inches long before it melted. Thanks for your help

 

[WillyBWright]

That's only a guide tube. It serves no other function. It's like that because the exhaust melted it. That's probably because the rubber impeller inside the pump is bad. They are available in water pump kits, or separately from a Merc dealer.