Wear sleave

Unfortunately i hit a rock with my 2001 200hp optimax. I purchased a new lower unit which i had the mechanic attempt to install.
Come to find out the wear sleave had come off and he was unable to install the lower unit.

I was told that the power head needed to come off to refit the wear sleave.
Of course the head bolts are corroded to the point where i highly doubt that can be removed without breaking them off.
He attempted to remove a couple and he felt the same way. I honestly don't really trust this mechanic but we only have one merc mechanic in town.
If this is true, am i pretty much hosed? Is it repower time??

Appreciate any comments or advice.

He's not BS'ing you, powerhead has to come off to replace/reinstall sleeve. If you do finagle it out of the way to install , next time you replace impeller you will have the same headache.

You will need to nuke the exhaust adapter with a rosebud acetylene torch to get the power head off.

I did two on the same boat had to use the torch on both. Once you get it hot it comes right off.

This is a problem with the Optimax, they do not leak oil into the cowling and a stuck power head is the result.