cannot reinstall lower unit on 1987 Mariner 4HP

[djletin1]

Removed lower unit to replace impeller. When removed, shifted to Reverse as this bet exposed shift clamp in side bung hole which needed to be loosened to remove lower unit.

When try to reinstall, get within 5 1/2" LU to upper. Pull cord a bit to align cam shaft w/ drive shaft drive. Pushes up so that gap is now about 2 1/2" but stuck there. top of shift linkage is just about even with upper hole so don't think is binding there.

Not sure what stuck on or what isn't aligned.

 

[Little Richard]

Not familiar with this motor but Sounds like the water intake tube is not sliding into your water pump housing. Don't know if your pump has a plastic guide tube thats approx. 3" that sticks into discharge hole on pump housing to help you line it up with the copper intake tube going to the engine. If it's like this the plastic guide could still be on your intake tube. ( where it slipped up the copper intake tube.