2009 Suzuki 9.9 4 stroke

[shadrack]

I have the motor in a 30 gallon barrel it starts up fine the water flow is good at about half throttle the motor begins running real rough and within a few minutes the housing midway starts becoming hot can anyone suggest what I might look for here.

[shadrack]

more info

after getting my hands on a owners manual i found part of the problem was me . i did not realize the engine has a rev limit in neutral . at idle the exhaust is coming thru the prop. i was told that should only be coming out the small exhaust port.

[boats.net]

The exhaust holes in back are exhaust relief and only comes there if exhaust pressure becomes too great. Mid housing has the muffler in it and will get hot.