A question on exhaust flaps 1989 Stern Drive 4.3 [ 432APRMED ]

[nnl1987]

Just dropping the engine back into the boat after a rebuild, can't seem to find anywhere in the manual the position that the exhaust flaps should be in when OUT of the water sitting in the driveway. Mine are currently sitting in the full open position. Just wondering if this is correct or not or if they need replacing. They are not melted either, from what I have seen from other pictures.

Just my thinking tells me they should be in the closed position and then they get pushed open well underway. But my thinking could be wrong.

 

[Renken2000Classic]

Sounds logical. Do they move freely?

 

[nnl1987]

They move freely when I was checking them.

 

[Grub54891]

Just installed new one in my MerCruiser. The old one was hanging down, open. The new one stays shut till there is water, and exhaust pushing it open. Mine had water intrusion issue and everything checked out fine till I found that. Water would inrush when slowing down from tubing/skiing. After the new one was in, no issues.