ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM

1969 CC Mustang

I am trying to find the source of my engine overheating when operating a top sped ( not at idle). I am looking for the easy fix before taking the RWP apart (gulp). I removed the large hoses coming into the RWP and "backwashed" using the garden hose to see how it was flowing through the ports at the bottom of the boat. The port side flowed fine. The starboard side started blowing water back where I put the hose in at the RWP end of the long RWP hose. It was not blocked but the flow was not as powerful as the port side.I had previously found some sort of nut shell in the hose. I removed the long hose from the fitting going down to the Strainers at the bottom of the boat. The hose is clear, unfortunately. I tried to remove the brass strainer on the bottom of the boat. No luck. The 3 screws were removed with 1 shearing off. The brass screen also appears to the Glued to the hull. Can this be safely removed with some encouragement with a hammer and dull chisel?

Questions
1. Is there some screen within the brass fitting in the hull that might be partially blocked?

2. Can the brass screen on the hull be encouraged to come off with a hammer and dull chisel?

3. How or should in get the brass screen loose from the hull?

4. Where do i find replacement RWP hose. The existing hose is a Republic Rubber Hydro 131

As always this beyond novice appreciates the help..
Mike

meplante wrote: Question just answered by my boat savvy brother-in-law that just dropped by. We (he) found a piece of the impeller trapped in the intake screen on the hull. Go figure how it went backwards. Now to the RWP! Mike

When you pull it out of the water, the water that's in the system will drain out backwards. I am surprised it made it past the trans cooler.