Replaced water pump cant get lower unit back together

[Spivy30]

I just got a 1968 Starcraft holiday with a 120 mercruiser and decided I should probably change the impelled. Pulled the outdrive apart changed the impeller all was good but I cant get the drive back together. Am I missing something? I just changed the impeller on my Sea Ray last week and it went back together like nothing. The two cases are about 2 inches apart.

 

[wire2]

Re: Replaced water pump cant get lower unit back together

Something is keeping them apart, possibly the shaft splines. Turn the input shaft back & forth 10-20? as you push it together.

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Replaced water pump cant get lower unit back together

turn lower shift shaft cw so prop locks ccw.top foot should be straight then start water tube then shift shaft once shaft engages you can turn prop to engage drive shaft.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=416739 her is when i did mine on the bench was super easy.