V6 looper lower unit shift rod will not slide in under pan

[rusty bolts]

hi <br /> having trouble again 1990 v6 looper 225 removed lower unit and changed water pump . Now I can not get the lower unit on ,it seems that the shift rod will not slip into the hole under the pan. its hitting the pan .It is facing the right way,water tube is lined up . I can not get it to slide in I have done this on other motors with out any major trouble,The lower unit came off with a slight tug.It also seems that the drive shaft is not going in,either because the shift rod is not going up or the angle is wrong . help Please is there a trick to it Jd

 

[OBJ]

Re: V6 looper lower unit shift rod will not slide in under pan

Rusty....try spliting the lower engine pan. There is a big rubber seal that's a beotch to get the shift rod through. Only takes a few minutes to split the pan.