It's been many moons since I had one off, but I think you have to remove the lower unit first. At least you would have to in order to get it back together. But I could be wrong.
It could also be that the driveshaft splines are a little corroded and sticking in the crankshaft. As F_R said, get the lower unit off and things should work out. It's easier to free that drive shaft that way, if it's stuck. Also, I'm not sure on that engine how you disconnect the shift rod. If that's done at the lower unit on on the leg, that could also be the problem.
Shift rod connector is in the crack created when you drop the lower unit about an inch. As I seem to recall, the inner exhaust tube is bolted to the bottom of the powerhead and goes down and sticks into the lower unit.
Lower unit already off ,shift linkage attached to cowling,soaked in PB Blaster around base, attached strap to top end with constant pressure upward, still wont come off!
Lower unit already off ,shift linkage attached to cowling,soaked in PB Blaster around base, attached strap to top end with constant pressure upward, still wont come off!
Finally got it ,took pulling on powerhead with pressure from wratchet strap,
then using stainless allthread ,while pressure was on.tapping the althread
in eacg of the 6 bolt holes,it came loose
