Re: Merc 850 plastic carb covers/removal
I've often seem them referred to as part of a "silencer" system also. I've never tried running it without them, so I don't know what difference it would really make. Taking the air cleaner off a big V8 on a car certainly causes a lot more induction noise....kinda cool sounding actually....
Keep in mind too...that it's VERY VERY important not to ingest water in there....unless you want a hydro-locked engine.
I suspect that a combination of noise reduction and water control is the key purpose of having all that there.
I recall seeing photos of racing engines with nothing in front of the carbs.....one would think that the forward motion of the boat would yield a sort of "RAM-AIR INDUCTION. But because of the water iongestion issue; it's not something you'd want to try.
Chuck
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