Still not spitting water

[Analangler]

My 1991 15 hp Johnson kicker only spits occasionally now and it used to be a steady stream out the hole in the bottom of the engine cover. I started to fix the problem by cleaning out the hole and rubber hose back to the engine, then put in a new water pump kit. Still no luck, what gives?

 

[racerone]

Did the motor overheat ??-----------------Likely it is dirt in the hose or fitting.

 

[racerone]

Is this motor running in salt water ???--------Is it running where there are lots of weeds etc ?????

 

[Analangler]

I removed the hose, cleaned it and the opening and ran a wire around the plastic ell fitting first. When it first happened I was running the motor in the saltwater, normal conditions and after it stopped spitting water, a drop every now and then would come out, it didn't seem to run hot with steam coming out. At that time I tried to unblock the hole with a toothpick.
The motor was stored for 2 years, starts right up and runs well. What about the thermostat, if that doesn't open is it like one on a car? Are there any other passages that could be blocked between the water pump and that ell fitting?