Alpha 1 Gen 1 Outdrive installation issue-shaft too high

[Rhadley]

I am trying to put the outdrive back on after replacing the lower and upper shift shafts. The lower shift shaft is hitting the bottom of the bell housing, as if it is sticking up too far. Tried to tap it down into the lower unit but it does not move. Any ideas how to get it to clear the bell housing?
Thanks.

 

[Scott06]

I am trying to put the outdrive back on after replacing the lower and upper shift shafts. The lower shift shaft is hitting the bottom of the bell housing, as if it is sticking up too far. Tried to tap it down into the lower unit but it does not move. Any ideas how to get it to clear the bell housing?
Thanks.

Is the washer holding it onto lower in right location ? Take a pic of what you have going on.

 

[Rhadley]

The lower shaft was somehow stuck up, so I separated the lower unit from the upper to see what was going on. The lower shaft splines are not going onto the lower unit shift shaft all the way, but get stuck. My old lower shaft goes onto them fine, but this new one does not. It is a mercury marine part. Never had so many problems to put these together before.