Lower unit not wanting to go back on

[Ja31484]

1969 merc 800 pulled off lower unit to replace water pump, all went well, went to put it back on and it was difficult to get back on. I was able to spin prop slowly and progress throttle forward until it slid on. Now it seems like it wont go in natural... even with the throttle in the neutral position its hard to rotate the prop like its in gear. Is it more difficult to rotate because its sealed up now and has a new impeller (the other water pump housing and impeller was in bad shape) or are the gears mismatched? If the gears are mismatched how can I get them back aligned? I appreciate your help in advance.

 

[procraftguy]

Sounds like u hooked up the shift connection wrong at the lower unit on that lower u can flip it around iv done it

 

[GA_Boater]

You shouldn't move the throttle. The drive shaft engages before the shift shaft, so you put the shifter out of sync.

Drop the lower, use a pair of pliers to rotate the shift shaft to neutral where the prop spins freely, put the remote in neutral and raise the lower unit until everything meshes. Turn the flywheel clockwise until the drive shaft engages. Take out the spark plugs to make it easier to turn the flywheel.

 

[Ja31484]

Thanks guys I got it fixed