how do i put my mercruiser lower unit back on??

Question

i removed my lower unit to replace the impeller and after i replaced the lower unit i cant get it in the proper gear so it wont even start now!! its just an old 71 alumacraft fiberglass hull with a plain old gm 4 cyl motorand a regular old mercruiser out drive

Answer 1

I believe you need to Shift to forward gear then put it back on. Been a while on this. When you shift your Gear Box forward see which way the Shift mechanism moves and Shift the Lower Unit Manually to this position, you may need to turn the Drive Shaft a little for it to shift easy. IF, I remember correct this also allows you to turn the Drive Shaft for alignment using the Prop. Everything should slide reasonably well back into place. I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Mercruiser Lower Unit

Answer 3

When assembling the upper and lower halves of the out-drive, first turn the propeller i the reverse direction.
Second, turn the shift mechanism until the propeller locks into gear.
Now, when you assemble the two halves together the shift shoe on the upper half should be pointing straight ahead.
Do not forget to install the spacer washer on top of the shift shaft, or it will fall to low to contact the shifter mechanism in the intermediate housing.
when reinstalling the out-drive unit, I stand int on a cinder block to raise the shaft to about the proper height of the intermediate housing. The cockpit shifter is in forward, and a large screwdriver is placed under the intermediate housing to hold it in a semi raised position. Now insert the shaft into the housing while turning the propeller in reverse. After checking that the shifter is aligned, jiggling the screwdriver with one hand, and turning the propeller with the other , the drive splines should align and glide right in. If never checked, I would get an alignment tool to check the engine alignment to the intermediate housing first.
This adjustment is made with the forward engine mounts if necessary.

Answer 4

I have 1968 mercruiser I change the water pump and now it will not shift back to neutral to start