Hull Hugger Muffler

So I got the 97 Sport out from hibernation this last Saturday and got everything hooked back up and ran it in the driveway with the bucket method like I always do. Every thing worked flawlessly at correct engine temps except the port side tube that connects the riser to the fiberglass tube got really hot. Other side was fine.   I pulled the riser off and checked for anything in the manifold and everything looks good. Replaced the gasket on that side.
   I pulled the muffler out of the boat because I read on several forums that the back pressure in the mufflers can cause this.   Nothing seemed wrong. No loose parts that I could see or hear in the muffler. I ran the hose through both ports of the muffler and no the flow of water did not seem to be restricted. I put the muffler back on and again the tube heated up.   I disconnected the port side tube from the muffler and the temperature went down.   As soon as I put it all back together the tube heated up again.   So I am pretty sure I have a muffler problem even though I cant see or hear anything.
    I have read on the forums as much as I can find about rebuilding the baffle or removing the baffle.   I figure before I buy a new one or do the Y pipe thing, I have nothing to loose by tearing into the muffler.   Most of the forums I have read are old enough that the pictures are no longer there.   I am not sure what to look for once I get inside.   Do I need to cut out any fiberglass or just remove the rubber tube everyone talks about.? Has anyone had any issues running their boats with the guts torn out of the muffler?

One problem that can happen and that you may have overlooked is the fitting of the rubber exhaust pipe to the exhaust riser. If the exhaust hose does not fit the pipe tightly at the very end of the riser the water won't "swirl" causing the hose to heat up. The cure is new hose between the riser and muffler. You could also try a Tbolt clamp placed at the end of the riser right over the swirl area. All bets off if your risers are not like #19 below. I'm assuming you have a GT40 withe the high rise 3.5 risers

Mtrbtr, if it turns out to be the muffler and you don't want to rebuild the baffle, I have a hull hugger muffler that came out of my 2000 sport this spring that I would like to get rid of. It needs a small patch on the bottom, but other than that it is in fine shape. Let me know.

Gary,
That is interesting and makes a lot of sense. I think I will try some new hose first on that side.

Changed the hoses and got it out to the lake this weekend. Port side is still warmer than the other side, but never seemed to get extremely hot. I may still not have the clamp far enough down to the end like Gary mentioned. Thanks for the help. Not going to tear into the muffler for now.

I learn more about this boat every year......