1987 140 HP j140txcua lower unit back on

[SD Black Sheep]

Need some help getting lower unit back on after water pump change.
While lower unit is off prop spins freely, when placed back on and tightened with one screw prop becomes locked both directions (shift shaft still not connected with bolt). I am trying to get the top of shift shaft eyelit to match up with the bolt and tighten down. I have rotated the shift shaft so I am having trouble getting things to line up and attach shift shaft back and bolt down. I think I am pretty close with the height of the shift shaft and have measured to manual's height but still a little off, want to make sure I am in right gear.

Few questions on how things work:

With the lower unit off and the prop spinning freely does this mean the lower unit is in neutral?
Can I tell what gear the lower unit is in without the drive shaft bolted down?
If lower unit is off and prop turns both directions freely does (I assume in neutral) this mean I put throttle into neutral and then adjust shift shaft height until I can line up the bolt on top of shift shaft?


Just thrown off by why when lower unit is back on without yet have shift shaft connected prop locks both directions.

Any help would be appreciated. I think I am pretty close but a little confused?

 

[jakedaawg]

You are probably knocking it into reverse as it slides in. Useing a pair of needle lose you can grab shift shaft and pull up one detent. That will be neutral I believe.

Question one = yes
question two : if you cant spin the prop counter clockwise you are in forward. If it wont spin either way reverse.
question three: there is a measurement but if you didnt change it it should be fine.

 

[SD Black Sheep]

Thanks a million. Was able to get everything on and screwed in. Having a problem in forward prop locks both ways...neutral perfect and reverse locks both ways (believe is correct).
Is the next step to make an adjustment to the shift shaft height thought I had it close to mfg requirements (used homemade measuring tool)but maybe not exact (did end up getting moved around).

I have no problem pulling lower unit now that I understand you can pull rod up with pliers.
Is the next step to adjust shift rod or do i need to really spin the flywheel more to get gears aligned (i did just a little).
Just confused at how I could be so far off (in forward/reverse position.)