4 exh cooling manifold hoses VS 2 on a V6

"My new (new take-offs&#41

"My new (new take-offs) mercruiser manifolds have 4 cooling hoses which seems to be the norm for Merc V-6's... to have 2 hoses to the risers and 2 to the bottom of the manifolds.... Could I run an OMC thermostat housing and just plumb to the bottom like they did on the OMC manifolds? I blew through the riser fittings and they are all connected.
I actually ordered the Merc t-stat hsg off eBay and I was going to plumb it merc style, but I can't with the alternator mounted where it mounts with all the OMC hardware...pic of that predicament..no way can the Merc t-stat fit in there:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/hystat/GENIIMercruiserleaktesting008.jpg""

"new 2008 manifolds:
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"new 2008 manifolds:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/hystat/GENIIMercruiserleaktesting006.jpg""

Put a pipe plug in the riser i

Put a pipe plug in the riser if that is what OMC does.

"WOW! this article is awesome:

"WOW! this article is awesome:
http://www.perfprotech.com/store/articles/warm-manifold-cooling-tips.aspx

The 4 hose system is all about maintaining manifold temps above 110F to reduce condensation.
I'll have to pop my risers off and make sure my gaskets have no restrictions, which I suspect they will. Then I will plug the riser water fittings (or just join the 2 risers with a hose) and try it. I'm not too concerned about the condensation... My OMC has no issues with it..."