Trouble putting gearcase back on

[UncleJ]

I decided to replace the water pump impeller on my 1985 8hp Johnson. Everything went fine until it came time to put the gearcase back on. The trouble is getting the shift lever and spline to engage. There is a flat spot on the top of the spline and I am having trouble getting it in the right position. I am doing everything the manual says but it is not working. I can "feel" the spline right there when I wiggle the lever but it won't go into place. The manual says to put the flat spot fore and aft but it doesn't say which side. I can get the gearcase up all the way with the flat spot on the port side of the motor but this doesn't engage the lever. It just moves freely. I am lost.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Trouble putting gearcase back on

Hi Uncle J,<br /> The easiest thing to do is to set both the lower unit and the shift handle in neutral. In neutral, the propeller will freewheel with no resistance and the handle will be vertical. That way you know both are where they're supposed to be.<br /> Might also have to rock the flywheel back and forth a bit to realign the crankshaft splines to the driveshaft splines. Make sure there's a healthy glob of waterproof grease in those splines, and a good o-ring, too! <br /><br />- Scott

 

[UncleJ]

Re: Trouble putting gearcase back on

How do I know when the shift spline is in neutral