'89 Evinrude 88hp water pump

[FreeBeeTony]

I recently bought this engine, second time out it overheated, the water inlets were clogged and the engine overheated (locked-up)I thought I siezed it! After it cooled down the engine freed-up and started fine. I dropped the lower unit and noticed that there was no gromet in the housing for the water tube. Water was coming out between the lower unit and the top of the motor. I replaced the impeller and housing (the telltale didn't have too much presure) and now am having a hard time aligning the shift rod with the shift mechanism........does anyone have any hints to give me? When taking off the lower unit I removed the clip from the shift mechanism and pushed it in to free the rod, that was easy..........now I am trying to put it back together. Thanks in advance.......

[DJ]

FreeBee,It's a bit easier if you have the shift rod in the upper most position. If I remember right, that's reverse.The last time I did it, I cheated, I had the carbs. off, piece of cake then.

[bill giffear]

free bee, Last time I did my water pump 84/evin.90 hp.I had same trouble,I used a 16" flex-grabber/I'ts used to grab or retrieve dropped tools in a hard to reach places..got mine at auto supply ......bill