Johnson 120 not pumping water

[Dave62Holiday]

1990 Johnson 120hp
I replaced power pack, stator, coils, plug wires, timer base, trying to chase down a fouling/misfire issue. Can only get the motor to start when I swap the 1&3 cylinder plug wires... Different firing order from the power pack? Seemed weird but it works..

But now the water pump is not pumping. I can run water from the water tube on a hose and it circulates, comes out the tell tale. Tried a new impeller, no luck. Can't find any blockage with compressed air and water hose running through everything.

Last night I installed a whole new water pump kit, making sure the water tube was lined up. This morning still nothing coming out of the tell tale. Port side cylinders get very hot, starboard side stays cooler to the touch.

I'm stumped... New water pump, motor is running, can't find any blockage...what can I be missing?

 

[oldboat1]

Thermostat issue possibly. Clean or replace. Make sure the bypasses in the t.stat cavities are clear. Tell take may be clogged -- run a piece of weed whacker line in as far as you can.