I just dropped my lower unit on my '68 55hp Chrysler. If it's close to mine you have to disconnect the shift rod. Put throttle all the way forward. You can see the shift rod in the 1/2 in or so gap between the upper and lower unit. Either a pin to pull or a hex to loosen. Careful though my shift rod broke off while trying to remove. Think I missed a screw on the very bottom outside or it was just stuck.
That's true too. It will drop about a half inch to an inch and stop, and then there's a little cotter pin holding the shifter together. Taking it apart is the easy part, putting it back together...well, you'll see...but if I did it, you can do it!
