Lower unit reassembly

[dragula]

Resealed and installed new water pump on 1977 70 hp engine. Now when I try to put the lower unit back on, the drive shaft is blocked by something and idk what. Should I rotate the flywheel? I removed the shift rod to make sure it was the driveshaft hitting something...TYIA

 

[racerone]

Slowly turn flywheel to line up the splines.

 

[dragula]

Thank you