Re: 71 6 hp evinrude
Your motor has a bypass tube in the back of the head - you can see it if you pull the cover and look. This tube allows water flow, even if the t-stat is in place and is closed. If you don't see water coming out of the back of the exhaust housing when the engine is running, you have a problem.
Drop the gearcase again and make sure that the water tube was inserted into the top of the water pump housing, when you put it all back together. As long as you have it apart, you might want to spray water up the water tube with a hose, as well. This may help clean out the passages and let you know if you have free flow upstream of the water pump.
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