Re: Hard Starting 56 Evinrude 30
Ok drop the gearcase back down. You should NEVER have to use the bolts to snug it up. Should slide up with ease.
Here is what you do. Remove plug leads and ground to ensure it doesnt start by mistake. Put into forward gear. Leave prop on. Grease splines, but not TOP of driveshaft, and grease water line and grommet on impeller housing. Slide gearcase up, ensuring water line slides smoothly into grommet on top of impeller housing, the push up till it stops. Now, slowly turn the prop clockwise, while pushing up on the gearcase. It should pop up when the splines line up. Put in a bolt, and now tighten it up. When bolts are in, use needle nose pliers and gearshift to pull shifter back down into neutral, guiding shift rod into coupler. Align detent in rod with hole, and install bolt.
Test gears by shifting and ensuring the prop is acting as it should when in neutral, forward and reverse. If all is well, install shift rod coupler panel and call it a day.
Drink beer.