Question about internal parts on a 225?

I pulled the power head off my 1996 Merc 225 carbed offshore to replace the upper motor mounts, (a 2hr job to get the bolts out).
Anyway with the power head off I found 2 cone shaped metal filters about a 1" long and the dia. of a pencil , one in a hole just forward of the exhaust port on the aft end of the mid-section. The other cone filter was laying on top of the 1st one jammed sideways?
My parts guy looked them up and a 1996 calls for two but they're no longer available and no one knows what they are for.
Should I just leave them out?
Any info would be appreciated.

Are they small funnel shaped with screen on end?

faztbullet said:

Are they small funnel shaped with screen on end?

Click to expand...

Here's a pic of the filters

Anybody else know if these filters really need to be installed when I bolt this thing back together?

I'm still looking for info on these filters. I found a schematic showing the strainers at this link; http://www.marineengine.com/parts/m...carb/0d280813-thru-0g760299-usa/exhaust-plate
I think it's #2, part #832994.
Apparently only used in some models?
Anybody know anything about them, or if I need to include them?