I am working on a water pump replacement, and am stuck literally on removing the gear housing. I have the standard gear housing, not Bigfoot. Per the Merc/Mariner service manual, you remove the 4 bolts, plus the locknut that holds the trim tab. With the motor fully trimmed up and the gear shift in forward I should be able to drop the gear housing, but it doesn't budge. I have tried scoring the paint around the housing and have done some pursuading with a heavy rubber mallet. No luck. I don't want to damage anything and need some advise from someone who might have some experience with this motor. Thanks.
