Partially blocked oil line

[chrisire]

For about two months now I have had an almost rattle like noise coming from the top end of the outboard. (1986 Evinrude 20hp TECDC) Flywheel and lower plate ***embly have no play in them what so ever. What I have found is the oil line that runs from the lower crankcase to the upper bearing ***embly is over half blocked. Could this be starving the upper bearing ***embly of lubrication and be causing this rattle noise?

[boats.net]

That hose is recirculation hose it moves puddled oil from bottom of engine to upper bearing, the upper bearing should still get oil but a plugged recirc hose can lead to damage to bearing.