Trick to putting lower unit back on?

[ski1559]

I have a 1960 Johnson seahorse 18hp-FD-14.
Last week I removed the lower unit and replaced the water pump.
That's where my problem starts. I cannot get the lower unit back on!! I get the lower unit within an inch of being secured and then it will not go any further. I can see through the shift linkage opening that the water tube is about 1/4 inch in the grommet. I cannot seem to get that last inch to get the driveshaft into its resting place. I'm not sure if my not getting that last inch is caused by the water tube not advancing enough or the driveshaft not lining up correctly to enter into its final spot.
IS there an easy way to get everything to line up?
What am I doing wrong?

ski

 

[EriccirE]

Re: Trick to putting lower unit back on?

Put it in gear and slowly turn the prop when lifting to align the spline of the drive shaft.

 

[James R]

Re: Trick to putting lower unit back on?

You may find it easier to pull the spark plugs and rotate the flywheel a little at a time to line up the splines.

 

[F_R]

Re: Trick to putting lower unit back on?

There is a baffle plate (#2) up in there with a funnel shaped hole that the drive shaft must go through. The hole isn't much larger than the shaft. You probably are missing the hole. There isn't any magic way of finding it except feel around for it. If you have a good eye, try to keep the edges of the opening parallel and feel around for the hole. If you push it all the way up, having missed the "funnel" hole, you won't be able to move it lateraly without withdrawing it slightly and try some more.

Concerning the water tube---it is much easier if you insert the tube into the upper grommet first, then you can see as you enter it into the pump grommet.

 

[ski1559]

Re: Trick to putting lower unit back on?

Thanks Guys.
Got it successfully back on.

ski