Driveshaft not seating into the gear box. Please help.

[SHOKENRYU]

Was changing my water pump impeller and my drive shaft came out from the gearcase. Now it will not seat completely. Still a half inch gap from the gearcase and will not slide in even wen I spin the prop. Please help. 1978 evinrude 35hp 35853R

 

[racerone]

You have to turn the flywheel slowly when pushing the lower unit up.----Water tube must be installed in the exhaust housing FIRST.------You have to make sure the water tube enters the water pump outlet.-----The driveshaft simply slides back into the pinion gear.-----That event is not the issue here.

 

[909]

Pull the rope. When you spin the prop , nothing happens because it's not connected to anything.

 

[SHOKENRYU]

The drive shaft to the motor isn't the problem. Its the gear case side from the impeller. It will not seat all the way into the gear case. Still have a half inch from fully seated. My propeller shaft will not spin the drive shaft because the driveshaft isn't seated all the way in to be engaged.

 

[racerone]

The driveshaft simply slips back into the pinion gear.----This should be simple.------But you have to release air pressure at the upper vent screw.

 

[SHOKENRYU]

Will not go in all the way.

 

[SHOKENRYU]

The driveshaft simply slips back into the pinion gear.----This should be simple.------But you have to release air pressure at the upper vent screw.

Vent screw us open. I've drain the oil.

 

[SHOKENRYU]

Vent screw us open. I've drain the oil.

Omg. Just found the problem. Impeller key fell in there. Thank you everyone. And thanks you Mat!! He asked me to check in the hole and there ut was. I am so dumb