How to get lower shift cable to sleeve?

[Happybeach]

How to snake the new lower shift cable through the transom plate to rubber sleeve? My boat is Bayliner OMC Cobra 5,8 1989. I have unscrewed the brass acessories from the cable, and I actually removed the hole core wire from red plastic outer jacket and try to get that jacket first in. I am sure the core wire to jacket wont be problem after that anymore. But wont go! The sleeve bends down very soon in the beginning and I guess after that it bends up quite heavily. It is in S shape! Lubricant does not help (well not tried seriously yet). Tried to pull the cable also with rope (hardly get the rope in to sleeve first by using "electiricians wire") from engine room end, but even the rope alone moves very stiffly!
Would it be possible the rubber sleeve used to be installed wrong at the factory? Then I would be in trouble, because in order to fix the bends of the sleeve the whole engine needs to be removed, I guess.