New Impellers on 8.1s - Exhaust Discharge Now Not Flowing at the Same Rate

[cacioa]

Had both impellers changed on my 2002 340 with twin 8.1s, after concerns on running my port side dry for 5 minutes. Upon replacement there was no discharge out of side ports until the mechanic introduced a hose into the strainer to prime the pump. --Coincidentally this happens also when I splash the boat in the spring. I have 2 questions;

1) Is this "air lock" common on these motors? If so is there a trick to avoid this?

2) Both ports now have discharge however Starboard side is a bit less than Port. Temp is fine and no water pressure alarm goes on. Should this difference of flow be a concern?

Thanks in advance

 

[Great lakes pirate]

He might have put them in with the fins in the wrong direction. When you first start the engines up, run them up to about 1200 RPMs for 10 seconds. This will prime them.