extra tell-tale port? 70 OMC

[Home Cookin']

My 1987(?) 70 hp Johnson has an extra port on the bottom of the water jacket/housing that, if it isn't plugged, shoots water out, just like the tell-tale (pisser) tube coming off the top of the motor. It's a small right-angle scew-in fitting about 1/4" and is on the port side of the motor.
Maybe it was put in there as a drain but that doesn't make sense.
Seems you want the tell-tale coming off the top to truly test it.
When I last looked at it, there was a short (<1") rubber nipple sealing it off with a cable tie clamp. This weekend, I had some trouble with the starter hanging up, and when I got it going, found that the nipple has split and it was bathing my motor inside the cowl with sea water. Which explains why the starter was cranky! I plan to replace the closed nipple and also keep a closer eye on it.

Anyone see one or know anything about why it's there? If I shouldn't close it up, where should I send the water?

PS the exact year of the motor is questionable and it may be a frankenstein, but it is different than the 1988 70 I had previously, and appears older.

 

[fishfeatures]

Re: extra tell-tale port? 70 OMC

i think that OMC recommended that the tell tale in motors around that size and era have the tell repositioed to top of the motor as they were prone to having air trapped up there. they issued a bulletin about it i believe.
i'd say the po moved the telltale there, so I'd fix it and have the tell tale coming from the top instead of the bottom . Planning on doing this with my 60hp over the winter as I have read threads on here recommending to do it

 

[boobie]

Re: extra tell-tale port? 70 OMC

Block it off and go from there. The one on the top of the block is the critical one.