Help !! Overheating??...please mariner 9.9

[imported_keith1]

Hi,All.1989 Mariner 9.9...Just replaced the water pump with kit..Am getting nice stream out of pee-hole but yet the head feels awful hot(cant hold hand on it for longer than 2 seconds )..By the way I am putting my hand just above power pack on head between flywheel and coil.I am told this is the "exhaust side"...also the tell-tale water is very hot....Thermostat is opening,I think,I tested it in some hot water on stove and it opened...Is there something I`m overlooking...Is there a poppet valve on this motor..Any ideas,Is this normal heat for this motor,new to mercs/mari....Please,any ideas,anything to check...Am I ok..Thanks a lot...I`ve read and learned a lot on here,this is first post....