Lower unit install

I replaced the impeller on my 1988 15 HP Mercury short shaft today. After installing the lower unit it didn't seem to shift as well as it did before. In forward the prop will turn clockwise while making a clicking sound. That's normal. In neutral it spins freely in both directions. That's normal. In reverse it won't spin in either direction....well it will spin counter-clockwise if I turn it pretty hard. Is that normal???? I measured the shift shaft like the manual said, 16 1/2 inches from the water pump base. Is that 16 1/2 inches to the end of the shaft or to the hole for the shift coupling pin. Also, there was some resistance pushing the lower unit on for about the last 1/2 inch or so but it did go on when pushing by hand. Is that normal??? Am I doing something wrong

Mike

Re: Lower unit install

yup, thats how the prop spins in gear. if your checking shifter when lower unit is off then it may have not been all the way in forward gear when you reinstalled, making your shifting a little off. you haven't described whats different between before and after. but what you did describe sounds correct

Re: Lower unit install

I have a question related to this. I replaced the impeller on my Mercury 15 hp this week, only to discover that I had a bad seal on top of the water pump. I closed everything up, but will have to get back in there to replace the seal when the part comes in. To get to the impeller, I had to loosen 3 bolts to drop the lower unit about an inch and then remove 5 bolts from the top of the water pump. The manual made it sound like the lower unit would drop all the way after removal of the first 3 bolts. It is a pain working in the little space to get the other 5 bolts undone. Is there an easier way?

Re: Lower unit install

not sure about your motor, but most of them if you remove the anode/tab there is another bolt underneath. to remove the anode some have a removable plug above others , just a hole. some you use a socket, others an allen wrench