Expert: Everett Peacock - 6/3/2011

Question
QUESTION: how do I get the lower unit in the right position to get it back in gear after replacing water pump assembly

ANSWER: you must put both in neutral and then reassemble..

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: How do I know if the lower unit is in neutral, I know the shift lever on the helm is straight up, but how do you know the right position for the shift shaft in the lower unit? thanks for you reply and I will be glad to rate it, but could you please answer follow up question first?

Answer
on the upper half of the stern drive there is a foor that slides in to the shift cradel of the transom assy.  in forward it faces forward.  the lower half has a shaft that is splined, that is the shift shaft..turning it to the left and right changes the gears. the middel is neutral....if you turn the shaft and then tuen the driveshaft closkwise, watch the prop to see which way it turns..one way is forward the other way is reverse..inthe middel is neutral...get the lower in forward and the upper in forward and it should like up to install. if the drive is still on the boat, put the gear shifter in forward, set the lower half in forward. it should line up at that point..