You would be better off starting a new thread ( see "Post New Thread" button) instead of tacking this request on to a non related 11 year old topic.

There should be an adjustment procedure somewhere on line for free for the SX drive. Lacking one, disconnect the shift cable at the drive from the shift arm. Put the throttle @ helm in N detent...

I'm running 260 HP thru 280 drives which internally are almost identical to the 290s with bigger diameter props and no spun hubs issues. Mfg info usually stamped on props. When you have them...

Whose props are you using? Presumably it's a 280 drive. I only use Michigan props ( 15x17) on a 23 ft 2 ton Deep V cuddy cabin. . Volvo OEM are OK and I think they are made by Michigan. ...

re: " the icon on the top is slightly different" meaningless for your purposes.

any number of ebay vendors for that, some @ a discount w/free shipping. However if you are set on a local Seattle pickup, I'd search online for Mercruiser dealers near you and call them to see if...

How did you test for a spun prop?

Which part on this diagram?

https://www.marineengine.com/parts/mercruiser-sterndrive-parts/30lx-gm-181-il4-19961997/0f604000-thru-0k999999/carburetor-mercarb

On my Honda, It was in the "low speed circuit".

If you use ethanol laced gas... It can and does leave a hard deposit in small passages in carbs that no cleaner I've ever tried or air hose will clear... only mechanical removal, i.e. wire or small...

re: "... removed the upper transmission to get serviced and rebuilt professionally for me...."
What EXACTLY was wrong with the upper?

What condition was the drive oil in? was there any drive oil in it??? If you go the lower unit replacement route, note that the drives are tailored for use with 4,6 or 8 cylinder engines by the...

pm me your email address... I have an electronic copy of the OEM Volvo 280/290 drive shop manual. The oil in the bellows is from a failed seal on the drive itself.

If you have the lower unit removed and the prop shaft does not move you have an issue. Did you check to see if there is fishing line wrapped around the prop shaft? The "line cutter" is not...

These should be enough info in the manual to help you with your 280/290 question...

Don't bother unless you are just curious. The P/N on the drive won't tell you how long the cable has to be....or for that matter what the fitting end option is on the control end of the cable. ...

You would have to do it by adding a microswitch with an actuating arm on a bracket at the control head wired so as to allow "start" to happen only when the shift lever at the helm is in "N". Some...

On the replacement cable I just bought, the P/N is about 1 ft from the control end and nicely thermo stamped and inked in with white ink. On some older ones as I recall, it is only thermo stamped...

Part number, which includes the length is marked near both ends of the (industry standard control ) cable which runs as one cable from inside (under the back cover) the drive case to the control...

My fav quick debug.... remove gas cap.. vent line may be blocked or collapsed... or degraded since its a pre ethanol boat with a likely original vent line ( if not fuel line! ).