mercruiser 289 inboard

I just replaced the impeller on my mercruiser. when i removed the lower end, this piece fell out of the front side of the motor and i cant for the life of me figure out where it goes.

not sure if its related to this piece or not but when i reinstalled the lower end it seems that the prop spins freely in both directions when in reverse. I have not put oil in yet in case i have to take it off again. when in reverse, the prop "clicks" when in reverse in both directions

anxiously awaiting some feedback. I feel i am at a stand still until i figure this out.

Thank you in advance

where did you get the number 289? I dont remember any engine that size

is it V6 or a V8 what year??? V6=292 V8 = 305,350,327,302 Cubic inch

Exhaust flapper from exhaust tubes on inside boat

Item 7

https://www.marineengine.com/parts/...9982001/0l010037-thru-0m599999/exhaust-system



your shifting issue is unrelated

Yes, please supply the engine and drive models. Should be a tag somewhere with engine serial number, which is what will be the most helpful bit of data.

Ayuh,..... Merc never used a 289 Ford, but did use the 302, 'n 351W, both with MC-1 drives,.....

The broken bit is part of a burnt up, worn out exhaust shutter,....

Yer drive don't shift right, because the control, 'n drive must be in forward gear for reassembly,.....
The lower unit tends to pop into neutral when installin', so I wrap a bungee strap from the cav-plate, 'round the prop shaft, back to the other side of the cav-plate,.....
Then you can rotate the prop shaft abit, shift the shift foot into forward, 'n let the bungee hold tension on the dog-clutch, so's it don't slip back into neutral again,.....