Issue with putting lower unit back on Mercury outboard

[Bke12345]

Hey everyone
So I have a 1977 Mercury 150 inline 6 2 stroke and I have taken the lower unit off 1 motor to another due to the other motor pinion has blown. Both motors are not he same. I’m having trouble lining up the shifting gear to the shift rod that goes to the throttle control. It doesn’t seem to want to slide in. Does anyone know why this could be? Also Is it normal That I can’t shift the he shift gear from lower unit by hand and have to shift gears with a pair of pliers not hard but I can’t shift it by hand?

thanks

 

[Chris1956]

There is a plastic fitting that will fit in the midsection and help align the upper and lower shift shafts. They can easily fall into the gearcase or the ground.

I recommend installing the gearcase in neutral. You may need to "rock" the throttle handle to align the shift shafts.

Make sure to grease both splines.

You cannot shift that motor from forward or reverse to neutral, with your fingers. You will need to use a small cresent wrench.

 

[racerone]

When turning the shift rod in the lower unit you have to compress a strong spring inside the propshaft.----No you can not do that with your fingers.

 

[Bke12345]

Thank you all for the advice I do appreciate it. I was finally able to get it installedCorrectly