Reassembling 1950 Fleetwin Lower Unit - Question

A little help would be greatly appreciated. I pulled the lower unit off this motor assuming the impeller was wrecked (no water out of the pee hole earlier in the day and I could blow air through the system). After seeing the impeller was is decent shape and reading more I am thinking the water level in the tank may have been too low. So, to my question ... when I pulled the four bolts that attach the lower unit, everything came free nicely. Now trying to put it back together to test my theory. How does the lower clutch rod attach to the upper clutch rod and nut? Does the ball of the lower unit just sit in the adjusting nut? Should the lower rod pop up when the lower unit is reassembled? It is sitting low in the housing. I should mention the engine was in neutral when I disassembled the lower unit. How do I put this baby back together? I thought I read something about a retaining clip or spring but 1) I don't see one on the parts list 2) I didn't see anything fall out and 3) I didn't remove anything.

Fluid in the lower unit was a milky mess, assuming there is a bad seal, will tackle that next.

Thanks for all the help! Jon

Re: Reassembling 1950 Fleetwin Lower Unit - Question

Figured it out, thought closing this out may help someone else in the future. Short story is there is not a clip of any sort on this model. The serial number is 4434. The upper clutch rod simple slips over the ball of the lower clutch rod. There is a spring in the lower unit that pushes the lower rod up and out of the way when in gear. Some images ...

Dropping the lower unit - 4 screws
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...104791666364.166726.1442680916&type=1&theater

Separates with no force
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...104791666364.166726.1442680916&type=1&theater

Not required but makes reassembly easier - 2 screws, don't lose the washers, makes re-connecting the clutch rods very easy
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...104791666364.166726.1442680916&type=1&theater

Exposing the spring that applies pressure to keep the impeller housing in place - note, I believe this may be upside down - looked at the parts list and it shows it the other way but all of the notches and such lead you to believe this is the way it should be mounted.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...104791666364.166726.1442680916&type=1&theater

Lower unit dropped exposing the impeller housing and upper clutch rod
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...104791666364.166726.1442680916&type=1&theater

Upper clutch rod detail ... note no notch
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...104791666364.166726.1442680916&type=1&theater

Re: Reassembling 1950 Fleetwin Lower Unit - Question

You don't need to pull the head to change the impeller ... gentle pull with pliers
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...104791666364.166726.1442680916&type=1&theater
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...104791666364.166726.1442680916&type=1&theater

Impeller exposed ... note the key/notches at the bottom of the impeller housing and plate that must be aligned when reassembled
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...104791666364.166726.1442680916&type=1&theater
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...104791666364.166726.1442680916&type=1&theater
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...104791666364.166726.1442680916&type=1&theater

Re: Reassembling 1950 Fleetwin Lower Unit - Question

The plate was simply removed with a small flat head screwdriver, gently
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...104791666364.166726.1442680916&type=1&theater
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...104791666364.166726.1442680916&type=1&theater

Impeller
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...104791666364.166726.1442680916&type=1&theater

Detail of lower clutch rod back in place in the upper clutch rod nut
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...104791666364.166726.1442680916&type=1&theater

Now if I could just keep it running